Proverbs 19
1 Betere is a pore man, that goith in his simplenesse, than a riche man bitynge hise lippis, and vnwijs.
Better is the poor that walketh in his integrity, than one of perverse lips, who is a fool.
2 Where is not kunnyng of the soule, is not good; and he that is hasti, in feet hirtith.
Also in the want of knowledge in the soul there is nothing good; and he that hasteneth with his feet misseth the right path.
3 The foli of a man disseyueth hise steppis; and he brenneth in his soule ayens God.
The folly of a man perverteth his way, and against the Lord will his heart rage.
4 Richessis encreessen ful many freendis; forsothe also thei ben departid fro a pore man, whiche he hadde.
Wealth bringeth many friends; but the poor becometh separated from his [only] friend.
5 A fals witnesse schal not be vnpunyschid; and he that spekith leesingis, schal not ascape.
A false witness shall not remain unpunished, 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 will entreat the favor of the liberal man; and every one is the friend to him that bestoweth gifts.
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 brothers of the poor hate him: how much more do his friends go far away from him! he pursueth [their] promises; but these are [all] that he hath.
8 but he that holdith stabli the mynde, loueth his soule, and the kepere of prudence schal fynde goodis.
He that getteth intelligence loveth his own soul: he that guardeth understanding will find happiness.
9 A fals witnesse schal not be vnpunyschid; and he that spekith leesyngis, schal perische.
A false witness shall not remain unpunished, and he that uttereth lies shall perish.
10 Delices bicomen not a fool; nether `it bicometh a seruaunt to be lord of princes.
Delicacy is not seemly for a fool: 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.
It is intelligence in man to be slow in his 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.
Like the roaring of a young lion is the wrath of a king: as dew upon the herbs is his favor.
13 The sorewe of the fadir is a fonned sone; and roofes droppynge contynueli is a womman ful of chiding.
A calamity unto his father is a foolish son; and a continual dropping are the quarrels of a wife.
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 from the Lord [cometh] an intelligent wife.
15 Slouth bringith in sleep; and a negligent soule schal haue hungur.
Slothfulness casteth [man] into a deep sleep; and an indolent soul will 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 observeth the commandment guardeth his own soul: but he that disregardeth [directing] his ways [aright] shall die.
17 He that hath mercy on a pore man, leeneth to the Lord; and he schal yelde his while to hym.
He lendeth unto the Lord that is liberal to the poor, and his good deed will he repay unto him.
18 Teche thi sone, and dispeire thou not; but sette thou not thi soule to the sleyng of hym.
Chastise thy son, for there is hope; and let not thy soul spare [him] for his crying.
19 Forsothe he that is vnpacient, schal suffre harm; and whanne he hath rauyschid, he schal leie to anothir thing.
A man of great fury must suffer punishment; for if thou deliver him, thou must still do it again.
20 Here thou counsel, and take thou doctryn; that thou be wijs in thi laste thingis.
Hear counsel, and accept correction, in order 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.
There are many thoughts in a man's heart; but the counsel of the Lord alone will stand firm.
22 A nedi man is merciful; and betere is a pore iust man, than a man liere.
The longing of a man is [to exercise] 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 the Lord leadeth unto life: and he [that hath it] shall abide satisfied; he shall not be visited with evil.
24 A slow man hidith his hond vndur the armpit; and putteth it not to his mouth.
When a slothful man hath hidden his hand in the dish, then will he not even bring it back 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.
Smite a scorner, and the simple will become prudent; and if one that hath understanding be admonished, 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 plundereth his father, and chaseth away his mother, is a son that bringeth shame and dishonor.
27 Sone, ceesse thou not to here techyng; and knowe thou the wordis of kunnyng.
Cease, my son, to hear the instruction that causeth [thee] to err from the sayings of knowledge.
28 A wickid witnesse scorneth doom; and the mouth of vnpitouse men deuourith wickidnesse.
An ungodly witness scorneth at justice, and the mouth of the wicked swalloweth mischief.
29 Domes ben maad redi to scorneris; and hameris smytynge ben maad redi to the bodies of foolis.
Punishments are prepared for scorners, and stripes for the back of fools.
