Proverbs 19
1 Better is a poor man, walking in his integrity, than one of perverse lips, and, he, a dullard.
Better to be poor but honest than stupid and tell lies.
2 Surely, for the soul to be, without knowledge, is not good, and, he that hasteth with his feet, strayeth.
It's not good to be someone who doesn't think. If you rush, things go wrong.
3 The folly of a man, subverteth his way, and, against Yahweh, his heart is angry.
People mess up their lives by their own stupidity, and then get angry with the Lord.
4 Wealth, addeth many friends, but, the poor man, from his own friend, is parted.
If you're rich, you get a lot of friends, but if you're poor, you lose any friends you had.
5 A false witness, shall not be held innocent, and, he that uttereth lies, shall not escape.
A false witness will be punished; liars won't get away with their lies.
6 Many, will entreat the favour of a noble, and, every one, is a friend to a man abounding in gifts.
Many ask favors from important people, and everyone's a friend of the generous.
7 All the brethren of a poor man, hate him, how much more have, his friends, gone far from him, he may hunt up promises—there are none.
If a poor man's relatives can't stand him, how much more will his friends avoid him! He tries to talk with them but they don't listen.
8 He that acquireth sense, loveth his own soul, he that guardeth understanding, shall find blessing.
If you become wise, you have good self-esteem; if you learn good sense you'll be successful.
9 A false witness, shall not be held innocent, and, he that uttereth lies, shall perish.
A false witness will be punished; people who tell lies will perish.
10 Unseemly for a dullard, is delicate living, how much more for, a servant, to bear rule over princes.
It's not right for stupid people to live in luxury, and it's even worse for a slave to rule over leaders.
11 The discretion of a man, deferreth his anger, and, his adorning, is to pass over transgression.
If you have good sense you'll be slow to get angry; you gain respect by forgiving wrongs.
12 The growl as of a young lion, is the rage of a king, but, like dew upon the grass, is his good pleasure.
When a king gets angry, he sounds like a roaring lion; but his kindness is as soft as dew on the grass.
13 Engulfing ruin to his father, is a son that is a dullard, —and, a continuous dripping, are the contentions of a wife.
A stupid son makes his father miserable, and an argumentative wife is like dripping that never stops.
14 House and substance, are an inheritance from one’s fathers, but, from Yahweh, cometh a wife who is prudent.
You inherit a house and wealth from your father, but a sensible wife is a gift from the Lord.
15 Sloth, falleth into a deep sleep, and, a soul that is indolent, shall famish.
Lazy people are often fast asleep, but idleness means they're hungry.
16 One who guardeth the commandment, guardeth his life, he that is reckless in his ways, shall die.
Keep the commandments, and you'll live; despise them and you'll die.
17 A lender to Yahweh, is one who sheweth favour to the poor, and, his good deed, He will pay him back.
If you're kind to the poor, you're lending to the Lord, and he will repay you well for what you've done.
18 Correct thy son, because there is hope, yet, not so as to slay him, let thy passion be excited.
Discipline your son while there's still hope, but don't kill him.
19 A man in a rage, taketh away the penalty, —nevertheless, if thou let him go free, the more [stripes] must thou add.
People who often get angry have to pay the penalty; if you help them, you'll have to do it again.
20 Hear counsel, receive correction, that thou mayest be wise in thine after-life.
Listen to advice and accept instruction so that you'll eventually become wise.
21 Many are the devices in a man’s heart, but, the counsel of Yahweh, that, shall stand.
Human beings make many plans in their minds, but the final decision is the Lord's.
22 The charm of a man, is his lovingkindness, —and better a poor man, than one who deceiveth.
The most desirable thing in anyone is trustworthy love; it is better to be poor than a liar.
23 The reverence of Yahweh, leadeth to life, satisfied then, let a man remain—let him not be visited by calamity.
Honoring the Lord is life, and you will rest contentedly, safe from harm.
24 A sluggard burieth his hand in the dish, even unto his own mouth, will he not bring it back.
Lazy people put their hands in a dish, and won't even lift the food to their mouths.
25 The scoffer, thou shalt smite, and, the simple, will beware, but correct a man of intelligence—he will understand teaching.
If you punish someone who mocks, you may help an immature person to learn. Correct the wise, and they become wiser.
26 He that ruineth his father, and chaseth away his mother, is a son causing shame and reproach.
A son who abuses his father and chases away his mother brings shame and disgrace.
27 Cease, my son, to hear instruction that would cause thee to wander from the sayings of knowledge.
My son, stop listening to my instruction and you'll soon give up following wisdom.
28 An abandoned witness, scorneth justice, and, the mouth of lawless men, swalloweth iniquity.
A crooked witness makes a mockery of justice; and the wicked wolf down evil.
29 Prepared for scoffers, are punishments, and stripes, for the back of dullards.
Punishment is ready for those who mock; flogging is ready for the backs of the stupid.
