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 he that 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 the soul be without knowledge is not good; and he that hasteth with his feet sinneth.
3 The foli of a man disseyueth hise steppis; and he brenneth in his soule ayens God.
The foolishness of man subverteth his way; and his heart fretteth against the LORD.
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 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 favour of the liberal man: and every man is a friend to him that giveth 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 brethren of the poor do hate him: how much more do his friends go far from him! he pursueth [them with] words, [but] they are gone.
8 but he that holdith stabli the mynde, loueth his soule, and the kepere of prudence schal fynde goodis.
He that getteth wisdom 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 unpunished; and he that uttereth lies shall perish.
10 Delices bicomen not a fool; nether `it bicometh a seruaunt to be lord of princes.
Delicate living 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.
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 wrath 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 riches are an inheritance from fathers: but a prudent wife is from the LORD.
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: [but] 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 hath pity upon the poor lendeth unto the LORD, and his good deed will he pay him again.
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; and set not thy heart on his destruction.
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 bear the penalty: for if thou deliver [him], thou must do it yet 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.
There are many devices in a man’s heart; but the counsel of the LORD, that shall stand.
22 A nedi man is merciful; and betere is a pore iust man, than a man liere.
The desire of a man is [the measure of] 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 [tendeth] to 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.
The sluggard burieth his hand in the dish, and will not so much as 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 learn prudence: and reprove one that hath understanding, [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 spoileth 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 instruction [only] to err from the words of knowledge.
28 A wickid witnesse scorneth doom; and the mouth of vnpitouse men deuourith wickidnesse.
A worthless witness mocketh at judgment: and the mouth of the wicked swalloweth 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 fools.
