Proverbs 19
1 Better is the poor man who walketh in his integrity, Than he who is of false lips and a fool.
The folly of a man spoils his ways: and he blames God in his heart.
2 Moreover, that the soul be without knowledge is not good, And he that hasteth with is feet stumbleth.
3 The folly of man destroyeth his way, And then his heart fretteth against the LORD.
4 Wealth maketh many friends; But the poor is separated from his neighbor.
Wealth acquires many friends; but the poor is deserted even of the friend he has.
5 A false witness shall not be unpunished, And he that speaketh lies shall not escape.
A false witness shall not be unpunished, and he that accuses unjustly shall not escape.
6 Many are they who caress the noble, And every one is the friend of him who giveth gifts.
Many court the favour of kings; but every bad man becomes a reproach to [another] man.
7 All the brethren of the poor man hate him; How much more do his friends go far from him! He runneth after their words, —they are gone!
Every one who hates [his] poor brother shall also be far from friendship. Good understanding will draw near to them that know it, and a sensible man will find it. He that does much harm perfects mischief; and he that used provoking words shall not escape.
8 He that getteth wisdom loveth himself; He that keepeth understanding shall find good.
He that procures wisdom loves himself; and he that keeps wisdom shall find good.
9 A false witness shall not be unpunished, And he that speaketh lies shall perish.
A false witness shall not be unpunished; and whosoever shall kindle mischief shall perish by it.
10 Luxury is not seemly for a fool; Much less should a servant have rule over princes.
Delight does not suit a fool, nor [is it seemly] if a servant should begin to rule with haughtiness.
11 A man of understanding is slow to anger; Yea, it is his glory to pass over an offence.
A merciful man is long-suffering; and his triumph overtakes transgressors.
12 The wrath of a king is like the roaring of a lion; But his favor, like dew upon the grass.
The threatening of a king is like the roaring of a lion; but as dew on the grass, so is his favour.
13 A foolish son is a calamity to his father, And the contentions of a wife are a continual dropping.
A foolish son is a disgrace to his father: vows [paid out] of the hire of a harlot are not pure.
14 Houses and riches are an inheritance from fathers; But a prudent wife is from the LORD.
Fathers divide house and substance to [their] children: but a wife is suited to a man by the Lord.
15 Slothfulness casteth into a deep sleep, And the idle person shall suffer hunger.
Cowardice possesses the effeminate [man]; and the soul of the sluggard shall hunger.
16 He that keepeth the commandment keepeth his life; But he that neglecteth his ways shall die.
He that keeps the commandment keeps his own soul; but he that despises his ways shall perish.
17 He who hath pity on the poor lendeth to the LORD, And that which he giveth will he repay him.
He that has pity on the poor lends to the Lord; and he will recompense to him according to his gift.
18 Chasten thy son because there is hope, But let not thy soul desire to slay him.
Chasten thy son, for so he shall be hopeful; and be not exalted in thy soul to haughtiness.
19 A man of great wrath will suffer punishment; For if thou deliver him, yet must thou do it again.
A malicious man shall be severely punished, and if he commit injury, he shall also lose his life.
20 Listen to counsel and receive instruction, That thou mayst be wise in thy latter years.
Hear, son, the instruction of thy father, that thou mayest be wise at thy latter end.
21 Many are the devices in the heart of a man; But the purpose of the LORD, that shall stand.
[There are] many thoughts in a man's heart; but the counsel of the Lord abides for ever.
22 The charm of a man is his kindness; And better is a poor man than a liar.
Mercy is a fruit to a man: and a poor man is better than a rich liar.
23 The fear of the LORD tendeth to life, And he that hath it shall abide satisfied; He shall not be visited with evil.
The fear of the Lord is life to a man: and he shall lodge without fear in places where knowledge is not seen.
24 The slothful man dippeth his hand into the dish: He doth not bring it back even to his mouth.
He that unjustly hides his hands in his bosom, will not even [bring] them up to his mouth.
25 Strike the scoffer, and the simple will become prudent; Reprove a man of understanding, and he will discern knowledge.
When a pestilent character is scourged, a simple man is made wiser: and if thou reprove a wise man, he will understand discretion.
26 The son that causeth shame and disgrace doeth violence to his father, And chaseth away his mother.
He that dishonours his father, and drives away his mother, shall be disgraced and shall be exposed to reproach.
27 Cease, my son, to listen to the instruction That causeth thee to wander from the words of knowledge!
A son who ceases to attend to the instruction of a father will cherish evil designs.
28 A worthless witness scoffeth at justice, And the mouth of the wicked swalloweth down iniquity.
He that becomes surety for a foolish child will despise the ordinance: and the mouth of ungodly men shall drink down judgment.
29 Punishments are prepared for scoffers, And stripes for the back of fools.
Scourges are preparing for the intemperate, and punishments likewise for fools.
