Proverbs19

¹ Better is the poor who walks in his integrity Than one who is perverse in his lips, and is a fool.

² Also it is not good for a soul to be without knowledge, And he sins who hastens with his feet.

³ The foolishness of a man twists his way, And his heart frets against the Lord.

⁴ Wealth makes many friends, But the poor is separated from his friend.

⁵ A false witness will not go unpunished, And he who speaks lies will not escape.

⁶ Many entreat the favor of the nobility, And every man is a friend to one who gives gifts.

⁷ All the brothers of the poor hate him; How much more do his friends go far from him! He may pursue them with words, yet they abandon him.

⁸ He who gets wisdom loves his own soul; He who keeps understanding will find good.

⁹ A false witness will not go unpunished, And he who speaks lies shall perish.

¹⁰ Luxury is not fitting for a fool, Much less for a servant to rule over princes.

¹¹ The discretion of a man makes him slow to anger, And his glory is to overlook a transgression.

¹² The king’s wrath is like the roaring of a lion, But his favor is like dew on the grass.

¹³ A foolish son is the ruin of his father, And the contentions of a wife are a continual dripping.

¹⁴ Houses and riches are an inheritance from fathers, But a prudent wife is from the Lord.

¹⁵ Laziness casts one into a deep sleep, And an idle person will suffer hunger.

¹⁶ He who keeps the commandment keeps his soul, But he who is careless of his ways will die.

¹⁷ He who has pity on the poor lends to the Lord, And He will pay back what he has given.

¹⁸ Chasten your son while there is hope, And do not set your heart on his destruction.

¹⁹ A man of great wrath will suffer punishment; For if you rescue him, you will have to do it again.

²⁰ Listen to counsel and receive instruction, That you may be wise in your latter days.

²¹ There are many plans in a man’s heart, Nevertheless the Lord’s counsel—that will stand.

²² What is desired in a man is kindness, And a poor man is better than a liar.

²³ The fear of the Lord leads to life, And he who has it will abide in satisfaction; He will not be visited with evil.

²⁴ A lazy man buries his hand in the bowl, And will not so much as bring it to his mouth again.

²⁵ Strike a scoffer, and the simple will become wary; Rebuke one who has understanding, and he will discern knowledge.

²⁶ He who mistreats his father and chases away his mother Is a son who causes shame and brings reproach.

²⁷ Cease listening to instruction, my son, And you will stray from the words of knowledge.

²⁸ A disreputable witness scorns justice, And the mouth of the wicked devours iniquity.

²⁹ Judgments are prepared for scoffers, And beatings for the backs of fools.