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Proverbs 19-21
Young's Literal Translation
Proverbs 19-21
Young's Literal Translation
19 Better [is] the poor walking in his integrity, Than the perverse [in] his lips, who [is] a fool.
2 Also, without knowledge the soul [is] not good, And the hasty in feet is sinning.
3 The folly of man perverteth his way, And against Jehovah is his heart wroth.
4 Wealth addeth many friends, And the poor from his neighbour is separated.
5 A false witness is not acquitted, Whoso breatheth out lies is not delivered.
6 Many entreat the face of the noble, And all have made friendship to a man of 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!
8 Whoso is getting heart is loving his soul, He is keeping understanding to find good.
9 A false witness is not acquitted, And whoso breatheth out lies perisheth.
10 Luxury is not comely for a fool, Much less for a servant to rule among princes.
11 The wisdom of a man hath deferred his anger, And his glory [is] to pass over transgression.
12 The wrath of a king [is] a growl as of a young lion, And as dew on the herb his good-will.
13 A calamity to his father [is] a foolish son, And the contentions of a wife [are] a continual dropping.
14 House and wealth [are] the inheritance of fathers, And from Jehovah [is] an understanding wife.
15 Sloth causeth deep sleep to fall, And an indolent soul doth hunger.
16 Whoso is keeping the command is keeping his soul, Whoso is despising His ways dieth.
17 Whoso is lending [to] Jehovah is favouring the poor, And his deed He repayeth to him.
18 Chastise thy son, for there is hope, And to put him to death lift not up thy soul.
19 A man of great wrath is bearing punishment, For, if thou dost deliver, yet again thou dost add.
20 Hear counsel and receive instruction, So that thou art wise in thy latter end.
21 Many [are] the purposes in a man's heart, And the counsel of Jehovah it standeth.
22 The desirableness of a man [is] his kindness, And better [is] the poor than a liar.
23 The fear of Jehovah [is] to life, And satisfied he remaineth -- he is not charged with evil.
24 The slothful hath hidden his hand in a dish, Even unto his mouth he bringeth it not back.
25 A scorner smite, and the simple acts prudently, And give reproof to the intelligent, He understandeth knowledge.
26 Whoso is spoiling a father causeth a mother to flee, A son causing shame, and bringing confusion.
27 Cease, my son, to hear instruction -- To err from sayings of knowledge.
28 A worthless witness scorneth judgment, And the mouth of the wicked swalloweth iniquity.
29 Judgments have been prepared for scorners, And stripes for the back of fools!
20 Wine [is] a scorner -- strong drink [is] noisy, And any going astray in it is not wise.
2 The fear of a king [is] a growl as of a young lion, He who is causing him to be wroth is wronging his soul.
3 An honour to a man is cessation from strife, And every fool intermeddleth.
4 Because of winter the slothful plougheth not, He asketh in harvest, and there is nothing.
5 Counsel in the heart of a man [is] deep water, And a man of understanding draweth it up.
6 A multitude of men proclaim each his kindness, And a man of stedfastness who doth find?
7 The righteous is walking habitually in his integrity, O the happiness of his sons after him!
8 A king sitting on a throne of judgment, Is scattering with his eyes all evil,
9 Who saith, `I have purified my heart, I have been cleansed from my sin?'
10 A stone and a stone, an ephah and an ephah, Even both of them [are] an abomination to Jehovah.
11 Even by his actions a youth maketh himself known, Whether his work be pure or upright.
12 A hearing ear, and a seeing eye, Jehovah hath made even both of them.
13 Love not sleep, lest thou become poor, Open thine eyes -- be satisfied [with] bread.
14 `Bad, bad,' saith the buyer, And going his way then he boasteth himself.
15 Substance, gold, and a multitude of rubies, Yea, a precious vessel, [are] lips of knowledge.
16 Take his garment when a stranger hath been surety, And for strangers pledge it.
17 Sweet to a man [is] the bread of falsehood, And afterwards is his mouth filled [with] gravel.
18 Purposes by counsel thou dost establish, And with plans make thou war.
19 A revealer of secret counsels is the busybody, And for a deceiver [with] his lips make not thyself surety.
20 Whoso is vilifying his father and his mother, Extinguished is his lamp in blackness of darkness.
21 An inheritance gotten wrongly at first, Even its latter end is not blessed.
22 Do not say, `I recompense evil,' Wait for Jehovah, and He delivereth thee.
23 An abomination to Jehovah [are] a stone and a stone, And balances of deceit [are] not good.
24 From Jehovah [are] the steps of a man, And man -- how understandeth he his way?
25 A snare to a man [is] he hath swallowed a holy thing, And after vows to make inquiry.
26 A wise king is scattering the wicked, And turneth back on them the wheel.
27 The breath of man [is] a lamp of Jehovah, Searching all the inner parts of the heart.
28 Kindness and truth keep a king, And he hath supported by kindness his throne.
29 The beauty of young men is their strength, And the honour of old men is grey hairs.
30 The bandages of a wound thou removest with the evil, Also the plagues of the inner parts of the heart!
21 Rivulets of waters [is] the heart of a king in the hand of Jehovah, Wherever He pleaseth He inclineth it.
2 Every way of a man [is] right in his own eyes, And Jehovah is pondering hearts.
3 To do righteousness and judgment, Is chosen of Jehovah rather than sacrifice.
4 Loftiness of eyes, and breadth of heart, Tillage of the wicked [is] sin.
5 The purposes of the diligent [are] only to advantage, And of every hasty one, only to want.
6 The making of treasures by a lying tongue, [Is] a vanity driven away of those seeking death.
7 The spoil of the wicked catcheth them, Because they have refused to do judgment.
8 Froward [is] the way of a man who is vile, And the pure -- upright [is] his work.
9 Better to sit on a corner of the roof, Than [with] a woman of contentions and a house of company.
10 The soul of the wicked hath desired evil, Not gracious in his eyes is his neighbour.
11 When the scorner is punished, the simple becometh wise, And in giving understanding to the wise He receiveth knowledge.
12 The Righteous One is acting wisely Towards the house of the wicked, He is overthrowing the wicked for wickedness.
13 Whoso is shutting his ear from the cry of the poor, He also doth cry, and is not answered.
14 A gift in secret pacifieth anger, And a bribe in the bosom strong fury.
15 To do justice [is] joy to the righteous, But ruin to workers of iniquity.
16 A man who is wandering from the way of understanding, In an assembly of Rephaim resteth.
17 Whoso [is] loving mirth [is] a poor man, Whoso is loving wine and oil maketh no wealth.
18 The wicked [is] an atonement for the righteous, And for the upright the treacherous dealer.
19 Better to dwell in a wilderness land, Than [with] a woman of contentions and anger.
20 A treasure to be desired, and oil, [Is] in the habitation of the wise, And a foolish man swalloweth it up.
21 Whoso is pursuing righteousness and kindness, Findeth life, righteousness, and honour.
22 A city of the mighty hath the wise gone up, And bringeth down the strength of its confidence.
23 Whoso is keeping his mouth and his tongue, Is keeping from adversities his soul.
24 Proud, haughty, scorner [is] his name, Who is working in the wrath of pride.
25 The desire of the slothful slayeth him, For his hands have refused to work.
26 All the day desiring he hath desired, And the righteous giveth and withholdeth not.
27 The sacrifice of the wicked [is] abomination, Much more when in wickedness he bringeth it.
28 A false witness doth perish, And an attentive man for ever speaketh.
29 A wicked man hath hardened by his face, And the upright -- he prepareth his way.
30 There is no wisdom, nor understanding, Nor counsel, over-against Jehovah.
31 A horse is prepared for a day of battle, And the deliverance [is] of Jehovah!
Proverbs 19-21
New International Version
Proverbs 19-21
New International Version
19 Better the poor whose walk is blameless
than a fool whose lips are perverse.(A)
2 Desire without knowledge is not good—
how much more will hasty feet miss the way!(B)
4 Wealth attracts many friends,
but even the closest friend of the poor person deserts them.(E)
7 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)
8 The one who gets wisdom loves life;
the one who cherishes understanding will soon prosper.(M)
9 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.
13 A foolish child is a father’s ruin,(U)
and a quarrelsome wife is like
the constant dripping of a leaky roof.(V)
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)
2 A king’s wrath strikes terror like the roar of a lion;(AS)
those who anger him forfeit their lives.(AT)
5 The purposes of a person’s heart are deep waters,(AY)
but one who has insight draws them out.
6 Many claim to have unfailing love,
but a faithful person who can find?(AZ)
10 Differing weights and differing measures—
the Lord detests them both.(BG)
11 Even small children are known by their actions,
so is their conduct really pure(BH) and upright?
12 Ears that hear and eyes that see—
the Lord has made them both.(BI)
13 Do not love sleep or you will grow poor;(BJ)
stay awake and you will have food to spare.
14 “It’s no good, it’s no good!” says the buyer—
then goes off and boasts about the purchase.
15 Gold there is, and rubies in abundance,
but lips that speak knowledge are a rare jewel.
16 Take the garment of one who puts up security for a stranger;
hold it in pledge(BK) if it is done for an outsider.(BL)
18 Plans are established by seeking advice;
so if you wage war, obtain guidance.(BO)
19 A gossip betrays a confidence;(BP)
so avoid anyone who talks too much.
20 If someone curses their father or mother,(BQ)
their lamp will be snuffed out in pitch darkness.(BR)
21 An inheritance claimed too soon
will not be blessed at the end.
22 Do not say, “I’ll pay you back for this wrong!”(BS)
Wait for the Lord, and he will avenge you.(BT)
23 The Lord detests differing weights,
and dishonest scales do not please him.(BU)
24 A person’s steps are directed(BV) by the Lord.(BW)
How then can anyone understand their own way?(BX)
25 It is a trap to dedicate something rashly
and only later to consider one’s vows.(BY)
26 A wise king winnows out the wicked;
he drives the threshing wheel over them.(BZ)
29 The glory of young men is their strength,
gray hair the splendor of the old.(CE)
21 In the Lord’s hand the king’s heart is a stream of water
that he channels toward all who please him.(CH)
2 A person may think their own ways are right,
but the Lord weighs the heart.(CI)
3 To do what is right and just
is more acceptable to the Lord than sacrifice.(CJ)
4 Haughty eyes(CK) and a proud heart—
the unplowed field of the wicked—produce sin.
5 The plans of the diligent lead to profit(CL)
as surely as haste leads to poverty.
7 The violence of the wicked will drag them away,(CN)
for they refuse to do what is right.
8 The way of the guilty is devious,(CO)
but the conduct of the innocent is upright.
9 Better to live on a corner of the roof
than share a house with a quarrelsome wife.(CP)
10 The wicked crave evil;
their neighbors get no mercy from them.
11 When a mocker is punished, the simple gain wisdom;
by paying attention to the wise they get knowledge.(CQ)
14 A gift given in secret soothes anger,
and a bribe concealed in the cloak pacifies great wrath.(CU)
15 When justice is done, it brings joy to the righteous
but terror to evildoers.(CV)
16 Whoever strays from the path of prudence
comes to rest in the company of the dead.(CW)
17 Whoever loves pleasure will become poor;
whoever loves wine and olive oil will never be rich.(CX)
18 The wicked become a ransom(CY) for the righteous,
and the unfaithful for the upright.
19 Better to live in a desert
than with a quarrelsome and nagging wife.(CZ)
20 The wise store up choice food and olive oil,
but fools gulp theirs down.
22 One who is wise can go up against the city of the mighty(DC)
and pull down the stronghold in which they trust.
24 The proud and arrogant person(DF)—“Mocker” is his name—
behaves with insolent fury.
25 The craving of a sluggard will be the death of him,(DG)
because his hands refuse to work.
26 All day long he craves for more,
but the righteous(DH) give without sparing.(DI)
27 The sacrifice of the wicked is detestable(DJ)—
how much more so when brought with evil intent!(DK)
29 The wicked put up a bold front,
but the upright give thought to their ways.(DN)
31 The horse is made ready for the day of battle,
but victory rests with the Lord.(DQ)
Footnotes
- Proverbs 19:7 The meaning of the Hebrew for this sentence is uncertain.
- Proverbs 19:22 Or Greed is a person’s shame
- Proverbs 20:27 Or A person’s words are
- Proverbs 21:6 Some Hebrew manuscripts, Septuagint and Vulgate; most Hebrew manuscripts vapor for those who seek death
- Proverbs 21:12 Or The righteous person
- Proverbs 21:21 Or righteousness
New International Version (NIV) 
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