Proverbs 19
1 Better is the poor that walketh in his integrity than he that perverse in his lips and is a fool.
Better is the poor who walks in his integrity than he who is perverse in his lips and is a fool.
2 Also, that the soul be without knowledge is not good; and he that hasteth with his feet sinneth.
It isn’t good to have zeal without knowledge, nor being hasty with one’s feet and missing the way.
3 The foolishness of man subverteth his way; and his heart fretteth against the LORD.
The foolishness of man subverts his way; his heart rages against the LORD.
4 Wealth addeth many friends: but the poor is separated from his friend.
Wealth adds many friends, but the poor is separated from his friend.
5 A false witness shall not be unpunished; and he that uttereth lies shall not escape.
A false witness shall not be unpunished. He who pours out lies shall not go free.
6 Many will entreat the favour of the liberal man: and every man is a friend to him that giveth gifts.
Many will entreat the favour of a ruler, and everyone is a friend to a man who gives gifts.
7 All the brethren of the poor do hate him: how much more do his friends go far from him! he pursueth [them with] words, [but] they are gone.
All the relatives of the poor shun him; how much more do his friends avoid him! He pursues them with pleas, but they are gone.
8 He that getteth wisdom loveth his own soul: he that keepeth understanding shall find good.
He who gets wisdom loves his own soul. He who keeps understanding shall find good.
9 A false witness shall not be unpunished; and he that uttereth lies shall perish.
A false witness shall not be unpunished. He who utters lies shall perish.
10 Delicate living is not seemly for a fool; much less for a servant to have rule over princes.
Delicate living is not appropriate for a fool, much less for a servant to have rule over princes.
11 The discretion of a man maketh him slow to anger; and it is his glory to pass over a transgression.
The discretion of a man makes him slow to anger. It is his glory to overlook an offence.
12 The king’s wrath is as the roaring of a lion; but his favour is as dew upon the grass.
The king’s wrath is like the roaring of a lion, but his favour is like dew on the grass.
13 A foolish son is the calamity of his father: and the contentions of a wife are a continual dropping.
A foolish son is the calamity of his father. A wife’s quarrels are a continual dripping.
14 House and riches are an inheritance from fathers: but a prudent wife is from the LORD.
House and riches are an inheritance from fathers, but a prudent wife is from the LORD.
15 Slothfulness casteth into a deep sleep; and the idle soul shall suffer hunger.
Slothfulness casts into a deep sleep. The idle soul shall suffer hunger.
16 He that keepeth the commandment keepeth his soul: [but] he that is careless of his ways shall die.
He who keeps the commandment keeps his soul, but he who is contemptuous in his ways shall die.
17 He that hath pity upon the poor lendeth unto the LORD, and his good deed will he pay him again.
He who has pity on the poor lends to the LORD; he will reward him.
18 Chasten thy son, seeing there is hope; and set not thy heart on his destruction.
Discipline your son, for there is hope; don’t be a willing party to his death.
19 A man of great wrath shall bear the penalty: for if thou deliver [him], thou must do it yet again.
A hot-tempered man must pay the penalty, for if you rescue him, you must do it again.
20 Hear counsel, and receive instruction, that thou mayest be wise in thy latter end.
Listen to counsel and receive instruction, that you may be wise in your latter end.
21 There are many devices in a man’s heart; but the counsel of the LORD, that shall stand.
There are many plans in a man’s heart, but the LORD’s counsel will prevail.
22 The desire of a man is [the measure of] his kindness: and a poor man is better than a liar.
That which makes a man to be desired is his kindness. A poor man is better than a 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 leads to life, then contentment; he rests and will not be touched by trouble.
24 The sluggard burieth his hand in the dish, and will not so much as bring it to his mouth again.
The sluggard buries his hand in the dish; he will not so much as bring it to his mouth again.
25 smite a scorner, and the simple will learn prudence: and reprove one that hath understanding, [and] he will understand knowledge.
Flog a scoffer, and the simple will learn prudence; rebuke one who has understanding, and he will gain knowledge.
26 He that spoileth his father, and chaseth away his mother, is a son that causeth shame and bringeth reproach.
He who robs his father and drives away his mother is a son who causes shame and brings reproach.
27 Cease, my son, to hear instruction [only] to err from the words of knowledge.
If you stop listening to instruction, my son, you will stray from the words of knowledge.
28 A worthless witness mocketh at judgment: and the mouth of the wicked swalloweth iniquity.
A corrupt witness mocks justice, and the mouth of the wicked gulps down iniquity.
29 Judgments are prepared for scorners, and stripes for the back of fools.
Penalties are prepared for scoffers, and beatings for the backs of fools.
