Proverbs 19
1 Better [is] the poor walking in his integrity, Than the perverse [in] his lips, who [is] a fool.
Better is a poor person who walks in his integrity than one who is perverse in speech and is a fool.
2 Also, without knowledge the soul [is] not good, And the hasty in feet is sinning.
Also, it is not good to have desire without knowledge and the one who runs too fast misses the path.
3 The folly of man perverteth his way, And against Jehovah is his heart wroth.
A person's folly ruins his life and his heart rages against Yahweh.
4 Wealth addeth many friends, And the poor from his neighbour is separated.
Wealth adds many friends, but a poor person is separated from his friends.
5 A false witness is not acquitted, Whoso breatheth out lies is not delivered.
A false witness will not go unpunished and he who breathes out lies will not escape.
6 Many entreat the face of the noble, And all have made friendship to a man of gifts.
Many will ask for a favor from a generous person and everyone is a friend of the one who gives gifts.
7 All the brethren of the poor have hated him, Surely also his friends have been far from him, He is pursuing words — they are not!
All the brothers of a poor man hate him; how much more do his friends who go far away from him! He calls out to them, but they are gone.
8 Whoso is getting heart is loving his soul, He is keeping understanding to find good.
He who gets wisdom loves his own life; he who keeps understanding will find what is good.
9 A false witness is not acquitted, And whoso breatheth out lies perisheth.
A false witness will not go unpunished, but the one who breathes out lies will perish.
10 Luxury is not comely for a fool, Much less for a servant to rule among princes.
It is not fitting for a fool to live in luxury— much less for a slave to rule over princes.
11 The wisdom of a man hath deferred his anger, And his glory [is] to pass over transgression.
Discretion makes a person slow to anger and it is his glory to overlook an offense.
12 The wrath of a king [is] a growl as of a young lion, And as dew on the herb his good-will.
The wrath of the king is like the roaring of a young lion, but his favor is like dew on the grass.
13 A calamity to his father [is] a foolish son, And the contentions of a wife [are] a continual dropping.
A foolish son is ruin to his father and a quarreling wife is a constant dripping of water.
14 House and wealth [are] the inheritance of fathers, And from Jehovah [is] an understanding wife.
A house and wealth are inherited from parents, but a prudent wife is from Yahweh.
15 Sloth causeth deep sleep to fall, And an indolent soul doth hunger.
Laziness throws a person into a deep sleep, but the one not willing to work will go hungry.
16 Whoso is keeping the command is keeping his soul, Whoso is despising His ways dieth.
The one who obeys the command guards his life, but the person who does not think about his ways will die.
17 Whoso is lending [to] Jehovah is favouring the poor, And his deed He repayeth to him.
Whoever is kind to the poor lends to Yahweh and he will repay him for what he has done.
18 Chastise thy son, for there is hope, And to put him to death lift not up thy soul.
Discipline your son while there is hope and do not set your desire on putting him to death.
19 A man of great wrath is bearing punishment, For, if thou dost deliver, yet again thou dost add.
A hot-tempered person must pay the penalty; if you rescue him, you will have to do it a second time.
20 Hear counsel and receive instruction, So that thou art wise in thy latter end.
Listen to advice and accept instruction, so you may become wise by the end of your life.
21 Many [are] the purposes in a man's heart, And the counsel of Jehovah it standeth.
Many are the plans in a person's heart, but it is the purpose of Yahweh that will stand.
22 The desirableness of a man [is] his kindness, And better [is] the poor than a liar.
Loyalty is what a person desires and a poor person is better than a liar.
23 The fear of Jehovah [is] to life, And satisfied he remaineth — he is not charged with evil.
Honor for Yahweh leads people to life; anyone who has it will be satisfied and not afflicted by harm.
24 The slothful hath hidden his hand in a dish, Even unto his mouth he bringeth it not back.
The sluggard buries his hand in the dish; he will not even bring it back up to his mouth.
25 A scorner smite, and the simple acts prudently, And give reproof to the intelligent, He understandeth knowledge.
Strike a mocker, and the naive person will become prudent; discipline one who is discerning, and he will gain knowledge.
26 Whoso is spoiling a father causeth a mother to flee, A son causing shame, and bringing confusion.
The one who robs his father and chases his mother away is a son who brings shame and reproach.
27 Cease, my son, to hear instruction — To err from sayings of knowledge.
If you cease to hear instruction, my son, you will stray from the words of knowledge.
28 A worthless witness scorneth judgment, And the mouth of the wicked swalloweth iniquity.
A corrupt witness mocks justice and the mouth of the wicked swallows iniquity.
29 Judgments have been prepared for scorners, And stripes for the back of fools!
Condemnation is ready for mockers and flogging for the backs of fools.
