Proverbs 19
1 Betere is a pore man, that goith in his simplenesse, than a riche man bitynge hise lippis, and vnwijs.
2 Where is not kunnyng of the soule, is not good; and he that is hasti, in feet hirtith.
3 The foli of a man disseyueth hise steppis; and he brenneth in his soule ayens God.
The folly of a man spoils his ways: and he blames God in his heart.
4 Richessis encreessen ful many freendis; forsothe also thei ben departid fro a pore man, whiche he hadde.
Wealth acquires many friends; but the poor is deserted even of the friend he has.
5 A fals witnesse schal not be vnpunyschid; and he that spekith leesingis, schal not ascape.
A false witness shall not be unpunished, and he that accuses unjustly shall not escape.
6 Many men onouren the persoone of a myyti man; and ben frendis of hym that deelith yiftis.
Many court the favour of kings; but every bad man becomes a reproach to [another] man.
7 The britheren of a pore man haten hym; ferthermore and the freendis yeden awei fer fro hym. He that sueth wordis oonli, schal haue no thing;
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 but he that holdith stabli the mynde, loueth his soule, and the kepere of prudence schal fynde goodis.
He that procures wisdom loves himself; and he that keeps wisdom shall find good.
9 A fals witnesse schal not be vnpunyschid; and he that spekith leesyngis, schal perische.
A false witness shall not be unpunished; and whoever shall kindle mischief shall perish by it.
10 Delices bicomen not a fool; nether `it bicometh a seruaunt to be lord of princes.
Delight does not suit a fool, nor [is it seemly] if a servant should begin to rule with haughtiness.
11 The teching of a man is knowun bi pacience; and his glorie is to passe ouere wickid thingis.
A merciful man is longsuffering; and his triumph overtakes transgressors.
12 As the gnasting of a lioun, so and the ire of the king; and as deewe on eerbe, so and the gladnesse of the kyng.
The threatening of a king is like the roaring of a lion; but as dew on the grass, so is his favour.
13 The sorewe of the fadir is a fonned sone; and roofes droppynge contynueli is a womman ful of chiding.
A foolish son is a disgrace to his father: vows [paid out] of the hire of a harlot are not pure.
14 Housis and richessis ben youun of fadir and modir; but a prudent wijf is youun propirli of the Lord.
Fathers divide house and substance to [their] children: but a wife is suited to a man by the Lord.
15 Slouth bringith in sleep; and a negligent soule schal haue hungur.
Cowardice possesses the effeminate [man]; and the soul of the sluggard shall hunger.
16 He that kepith the comaundement of God, kepith his soule; but he that chargith not his weie, schal be slayn.
He that keeps the commandment keeps his own soul; but he that despises his ways shall perish.
17 He that hath mercy on a pore man, leeneth to the Lord; and he schal yelde his while to hym.
He that has pity on the poor lends to the Lord; and he will recompense to him according to his gift.
18 Teche thi sone, and dispeire thou not; but sette thou not thi soule to the sleyng of hym.
Chasten your son, for so he shall be hopeful; and be not exalted in your soul to haughtiness.
19 Forsothe he that is vnpacient, schal suffre harm; and whanne he hath rauyschid, he schal leie to anothir thing.
A malicious man shall be severely punished, and if he commit injury, he shall also lose his life.
20 Here thou counsel, and take thou doctryn; that thou be wijs in thi laste thingis.
Hear, son, the instruction of your father, that you may be wise at your latter end.
21 Many thouytis ben in the herte of a man; but the wille of the Lord schal dwelle.
[There are] many thoughts in a man's heart; but the counsel of the Lord abides for ever.
22 A nedi man is merciful; and betere is a pore iust man, than a man liere.
Mercy is a fruit to a man: and a poor man is better than a rich liar.
23 The drede of the Lord ledith to lijf `of blis; and he `that dredith God schal dwelle in plentee, with outen visityng `of the worste.
The fear of the Lord is life to a man: and he shall lodge without fear in places where knowledge is not seen.
24 A slow man hidith his hond vndur the armpit; and putteth it not to his mouth.
He that unjustly hides his hands in his bosom, will not even [bring] them up to his mouth.
25 Whanne a man ful of pestilence is betun, a fool schal be wisere. If thou blamist a wijs man, he schal vndurstonde techyng.
When a pestilent character is scourged, a simple man is made wiser: and if you reprove a wise man, he will understand discretion.
26 He that turmentith the fadir, and fleeth fro the modir, schal be ful of yuel fame, and schal be cursid.
He that dishonours his father, and drives away his mother, shall be disgraced and shall be exposed to reproach.
27 Sone, ceesse thou not to here techyng; and knowe thou the wordis of kunnyng.
A son who ceases to attend to the instruction of a father will cherish evil designs.
28 A wickid witnesse scorneth doom; and the mouth of vnpitouse men deuourith wickidnesse.
He that becomes surety for a foolish child will despise the ordinance: and the mouth of ungodly men shall drink down judgement.
29 Domes ben maad redi to scorneris; and hameris smytynge ben maad redi to the bodies of foolis.
Scourges are preparing for the intemperate, and punishments likewise for fools.
