Proverbs 19
1 Better [is] the poor that walketh in his integrity, than [he that is] perverse in his lips, and is a fool.
Better a poor man who walks with integrity than a fool whose lips are perverse.
2 Also, [that] the soul [be] without knowledge, [it is] not good; and he that hasteth with [his] feet sinneth.
Even zeal is no good without knowledge, and he who hurries his footsteps misses the mark.
3 The foolishness of man perverteth his way: and his heart fretteth against the LORD.
A man’s own folly subverts his way, yet his heart rages against the LORD.
4 Wealth maketh many friends; but the poor is separated from his neighbor.
Wealth attracts many friends, but a poor man is deserted by his friend.
5 A false witness shall not be unpunished, and [he that] speaketh lies shall not escape.
A false witness will not go unpunished, and one who utters lies will not escape.
6 Many will entreat the favor of the prince: and every man [is] a friend to him that giveth gifts.
Many seek the favor of the prince, and everyone is a friend of the gift giver.
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, [yet] they [are] wanting [to him].
All the brothers of a poor man hate him— how much more do his friends avoid him! He may pursue them with pleading, but they are nowhere to be found.
8 He that getteth wisdom loveth his own soul: he that keepeth understanding shall find good.
He who acquires wisdom loves himself; one who safeguards understanding will find success.
9 A false witness shall not be unpunished, and [he that] speaketh lies shall perish.
A false witness will not go unpunished, and one who pours out lies will perish.
10 Delight is not seemly for a fool; much less for a servant to have rule over princes.
Luxury is unseemly for a fool— how much worse for a slave to rule over princes!
11 The discretion of a man deferreth his anger; and [it is] his glory to pass over a transgression.
A man’s insight gives him patience, and his virtue is to overlook an offense.
12 The king's wrath [is] as the roaring of a lion; but his favor [is] as dew upon the grass.
A king’s rage is like the roar of a lion, but his favor 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 his father’s ruin, and a quarrelsome wife is like a constant dripping.
14 House and riches [are] the inheritance of fathers: and a prudent wife [is] from the LORD.
Houses and wealth are inherited from fathers, but a prudent wife is from the LORD.
15 Slothfulness casteth into a deep sleep; and an idle soul shall suffer hunger.
Laziness brings on deep sleep, and an idle soul will suffer hunger.
16 He that keepeth the commandment keepeth his own soul; [but] he that despiseth his ways shall die.
He who keeps a commandment preserves his soul, but he who is careless in his ways will die.
17 He that hath pity upon the poor, lendeth to the LORD; and that which he hath given will he pay him again.
Kindness to the poor is a loan to the LORD, and He will repay the lender.
18 Chasten thy son while there is hope, and let not thy soul spare for his crying.
Discipline your son, for in that there is hope; do not be party to his death.
19 A man of great wrath shall suffer punishment: for if thou deliver [him], yet thou must do it again.
A man of great anger must pay the penalty; if you rescue him, you will have to do so again.
20 Hear counsel, and receive instruction, that thou mayest be wise in thy latter end.
Listen to counsel and accept discipline, that you may be wise the rest of your days.
21 [There are] many devices in a man's heart; nevertheless the counsel of the LORD, that shall stand.
Many plans are in a man’s heart, but the purpose of the LORD will prevail.
22 The desire of a man [is] his kindness: and a poor man [is] better than a liar.
The desire of a man is loving devotion; better to be poor 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, that one may rest content, without visitation from harm.
24 A slothful [man] hideth his hand in [his] bosom, and will not so much as bring it to his mouth again.
The slacker buries his hand in the dish; he will not even bring it back to his mouth.
25 Smite a scorner and the simple will beware: and reprove one that hath understanding, [and] he will understand knowledge.
Strike a mocker, and the simple will beware; rebuke the discerning man, and he will gain knowledge.
26 He that wasteth [his] father, [and] chaseth away [his] mother, [is] a son that causeth shame, and bringeth reproach.
He who assaults his father or evicts his mother is a son who brings shame and disgrace.
27 Cease, my son, to hear the instruction [that causeth] to err from the words of knowledge.
If you cease to hear instruction, my son, you will stray from the words of knowledge.
28 An ungodly witness scorneth judgment: and the mouth of the wicked devoureth iniquity.
A corrupt witness mocks justice, and a wicked mouth swallows iniquity.
29 Judgments are prepared for scorners, and stripes for the back of fools.
Judgments are prepared for mockers, and beatings for the backs of fools.
