Proverbs 19
1 Betere is a pore man, that goith in his simplenesse, than a riche man bitynge hise lippis, and vnwijs.
Better is a poor [man] that walketh in his integrity, than he that is perverse in his lips, and is a fool.
2 Where is not kunnyng of the soule, is not good; and he that is hasti, in feet hirtith.
Also that a person be without knowledge is not good; and he that hasteth with his feet maketh false steps.
3 The foli of a man disseyueth hise steppis; and he brenneth in his soule ayens God.
The folly of man distorteth his way, and his heart is irritated against Jehovah.
4 Richessis encreessen ful many freendis; forsothe also thei ben departid fro a pore man, whiche he hadde.
Wealth addeth many friends; but the poor is separated from his friend.
5 A fals witnesse schal not be vnpunyschid; and he that spekith leesingis, schal not ascape.
A false witness shall not be held innocent, and he that uttereth lies 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 a noble; and every one is friend to a man that giveth.
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;
All the brethren of a poor [man] hate him; how much more do his friends go far from him: he pursueth [them] with words, — they are not [to be found].
8 but he that holdith stabli the mynde, loueth his soule, and the kepere of prudence schal fynde goodis.
He that getteth sense loveth his own soul; he that keepeth understanding shall find good.
9 A fals witnesse schal not be vnpunyschid; and he that spekith leesyngis, schal perische.
A false witness shall not be held innocent, and he that uttereth lies shall perish.
10 Delices bicomen not a fool; nether `it bicometh a seruaunt to be lord of princes.
Good living beseemeth not a fool; how much less for a servant to have rule over princes.
11 The teching of a man is knowun bi pacience; and his glorie is to passe ouere wickid thingis.
The discretion of a man maketh him slow to anger, and it is his glory to pass over a transgression.
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 king's displeasure is as the roaring of a lion; but his favour is as dew upon the grass.
13 The sorewe of the fadir is a fonned sone; and roofes droppynge contynueli is a womman ful of chiding.
A foolish son is the calamity of his father; and the contentions of a wife are a continual dropping.
14 Housis and richessis ben youun of fadir and modir; but a prudent wijf is youun propirli of the Lord.
House and wealth are an inheritance from fathers; but a prudent wife is from Jehovah.
15 Slouth bringith in sleep; and a negligent soule schal haue hungur.
Slothfulness casteth into a deep sleep, and the idle soul shall suffer hunger.
16 He that kepith the comaundement of God, kepith his soule; but he that chargith not his weie, schal be slayn.
He that keepeth the commandment keepeth his soul; he that is careless of his ways shall die.
17 He that hath mercy on a pore man, leeneth to the Lord; and he schal yelde his while to hym.
He that is gracious to the poor lendeth unto Jehovah; and what he hath bestowed will he repay unto him.
18 Teche thi sone, and dispeire thou not; but sette thou not thi soule to the sleyng of hym.
Chasten thy son, seeing there is hope; but set not thy soul upon killing him.
19 Forsothe he that is vnpacient, schal suffre harm; and whanne he hath rauyschid, he schal leie to anothir thing.
A man of great wrath shall suffer punishment; for if thou deliver [him], yet thou must do it again.
20 Here thou counsel, and take thou doctryn; that thou be wijs in thi laste thingis.
Hear counsel, and receive instruction, that thou mayest be wise in thy latter end.
21 Many thouytis ben in the herte of a man; but the wille of the Lord schal dwelle.
Many are the thoughts in a man's heart, but the counsel of Jehovah, that doth stand.
22 A nedi man is merciful; and betere is a pore iust man, than a man liere.
The charm of a man is his kindness; and a poor [man] is better than a 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 Jehovah [tendeth] to life, and he [that hath it] shall rest satisfied without being visited with evil.
24 A slow man hidith his hond vndur the armpit; and putteth it not to his mouth.
A sluggard burieth his hand in the dish, and will not even bring it to his mouth again.
25 Whanne a man ful of pestilence is betun, a fool schal be wisere. If thou blamist a wijs man, he schal vndurstonde techyng.
Smite a scorner, and the simple will beware; reprove the intelligent, and he will understand knowledge.
26 He that turmentith the fadir, and fleeth fro the modir, schal be ful of yuel fame, and schal be cursid.
He that ruineth [his] father and chaseth away [his] mother is a son that causeth shame and bringeth reproach.
27 Sone, ceesse thou not to here techyng; and knowe thou the wordis of kunnyng.
Cease, my son, to hear the instruction which causeth to stray from the words of knowledge.
28 A wickid witnesse scorneth doom; and the mouth of vnpitouse men deuourith wickidnesse.
A witness of Belial scorneth judgment, and the mouth of the wicked swalloweth down iniquity.
29 Domes ben maad redi to scorneris; and hameris smytynge ben maad redi to the bodies of foolis.
Judgments are prepared for scorners, and stripes for the back of the foolish.
