Add parallel Print Page Options

19 Better is a poor [man] that walketh in his integrity, than he that is perverse in his lips, and is a fool.

Also that a person be without knowledge is not good; and he that hasteth with his feet maketh false steps.

The folly of man distorteth his way, and his heart is irritated against Jehovah.

Wealth addeth many friends; but the poor is separated from his friend.

A false witness shall not be held innocent, and he that uttereth lies shall not escape.

Many court the favour of a noble; and every one is friend to a man that giveth.

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].

He that getteth sense loveth his own soul; he that keepeth understanding shall find good.

A false witness shall not be held innocent, and he that uttereth lies shall perish.

10 Good living beseemeth not a fool; how much less for a servant to have rule over princes.

11 The discretion of a man maketh him slow to anger, and it is his glory to pass over a transgression.

12 The king's displeasure is as the roaring of a lion; but his favour is as dew upon the grass.

13 A foolish son is the calamity of his father; and the contentions of a wife are a continual dropping.

14 House and wealth are an inheritance from fathers; but a prudent wife is from Jehovah.

15 Slothfulness casteth into a deep sleep, and the idle soul shall suffer hunger.

16 He that keepeth the commandment keepeth his soul; he that is careless of his ways shall die.

17 He that is gracious to the poor lendeth unto Jehovah; and what he hath bestowed will he repay unto him.

18 Chasten thy son, seeing there is hope; but set not thy soul upon killing him.

19 A man of great wrath shall suffer punishment; for if thou deliver [him], yet thou must do it again.

20 Hear counsel, and receive instruction, that thou mayest be wise in thy latter end.

21 Many are the thoughts in a man's heart, but the counsel of Jehovah, that doth stand.

22 The charm of a man is his kindness; and a poor [man] is better than a liar.

23 The fear of Jehovah [tendeth] to life, and he [that hath it] shall rest satisfied without being visited with evil.

24 A sluggard burieth his hand in the dish, and will not even bring it to his mouth again.

25 Smite a scorner, and the simple will beware; reprove the intelligent, and he will understand knowledge.

26 He that ruineth [his] father and chaseth away [his] mother is a son that causeth shame and bringeth reproach.

27 Cease, my son, to hear the instruction which causeth to stray from the words of knowledge.

28 A witness of Belial scorneth judgment, and the mouth of the wicked swalloweth down iniquity.

29 Judgments are prepared for scorners, and stripes for the back of the foolish.

19 Better the poor whose walk is blameless
    than a fool whose lips are perverse.(A)

Desire without knowledge is not good—
    how much more will hasty feet miss the way!(B)

A person’s own folly(C) leads to their ruin,
    yet their heart rages against the Lord.(D)

Wealth attracts many friends,
    but even the closest friend of the poor person deserts them.(E)

A false witness(F) will not go unpunished,(G)
    and whoever pours out lies will not go free.(H)

Many curry favor with a ruler,(I)
    and everyone is the friend of one who gives gifts.(J)

The poor are shunned by all their relatives—
    how much more do their friends avoid them!(K)
Though the poor pursue them with pleading,
    they are nowhere to be found.[a](L)

The one who gets wisdom loves life;
    the one who cherishes understanding will soon prosper.(M)

A false witness will not go unpunished,
    and whoever pours out lies will perish.(N)

10 It is not fitting for a fool(O) to live in luxury—
    how much worse for a slave to rule over princes!(P)

11 A person’s wisdom yields patience;(Q)
    it is to one’s glory to overlook an offense.

12 A king’s rage is like the roar of a lion,(R)
    but his favor is like dew(S) on the grass.(T)

13 A foolish child is a father’s ruin,(U)
    and a quarrelsome wife is like
    the constant dripping of a leaky roof.(V)

14 Houses and wealth are inherited from parents,(W)
    but a prudent wife is from the Lord.(X)

15 Laziness brings on deep sleep,
    and the shiftless go hungry.(Y)

16 Whoever keeps commandments keeps their life,
    but whoever shows contempt for their ways will die.(Z)

17 Whoever is kind to the poor lends to the Lord,(AA)
    and he will reward them for what they have done.(AB)

18 Discipline your children, for in that there is hope;
    do not be a willing party to their death.(AC)

19 A hot-tempered person must pay the penalty;
    rescue them, and you will have to do it again.

20 Listen to advice and accept discipline,(AD)
    and at the end you will be counted among the wise.(AE)

21 Many are the plans in a person’s heart,
    but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails.(AF)

22 What a person desires is unfailing love[b];
    better to be poor than a liar.

23 The fear of the Lord leads to life;
    then one rests content, untouched by trouble.(AG)

24 A sluggard buries his hand in the dish;
    he will not even bring it back to his mouth!(AH)

25 Flog a mocker, and the simple will learn prudence;
    rebuke the discerning,(AI) and they will gain knowledge.(AJ)

26 Whoever robs their father and drives out their mother(AK)
    is a child who brings shame and disgrace.

27 Stop listening to instruction, my son,(AL)
    and you will stray from the words of knowledge.

28 A corrupt witness mocks at justice,
    and the mouth of the wicked gulps down evil.(AM)

29 Penalties are prepared for mockers,
    and beatings for the backs of fools.(AN)

Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 19:7 The meaning of the Hebrew for this sentence is uncertain.
  2. Proverbs 19:22 Or Greed is a person’s shame