19 Better (A)is the poor that walketh in his uprightness, than he that abuseth his lips, and is a fool.

For without knowledge the mind is not good, and he that hasteth with his feet, sinneth.

The foolishness of a man perverteth his way, and his heart fretteth against the Lord.

Riches gather many friends: but the poor is separated from his neighbor.

(B)A false witness shall not be unpunished: and he that speaketh lies, shall not escape.

Many reverence the face of the prince, and every man is friend to him that giveth gifts.

All the brethren of the poor do hate him: how much more will his friends depart far from him? though he be instant [a]with words, yet they will not.

He that possesseth understanding, [b]loveth his own soul, and keepeth wisdom to find goodness.

A false witness shall not be unpunished: and he that speaketh lies, shall perish.

10 [c]Pleasure is not comely for a fool, much less for a servant to have rule over princes.

11 The discretion of man deferreth his anger: and his glory is [d]to pass by an offence.

12 (C)The king’s wrath is like the roaring of a lion: but his favor is like the dew upon the grass.

13 (D)A foolish son is the calamity of his father, (E)and the contentions of a wife are like a continual [e]dropping.

14 House and riches are the inheritance of the fathers: but a (F)prudent wife cometh of the Lord.

15 Slothfulness causeth to fall asleep, and a deceitful person shall be affamished.

16 He that keepeth the commandment, keepeth his own soul: but he that despiseth his ways, shall die.

17 He that hath mercy upon the poor, lendeth unto the Lord: and the Lord will recompense him that which he hath given.

18 Chasten thy son while there is hope, and let not thy soul spare for his murmuring.

19 A man of much anger shall suffer punishment, and though thou [f]deliver him, yet will his anger come again.

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

21 Many devices are in a [g]man’s heart: but the counsel of the Lord shall stand.

22 That that is to be desired of a man, is his [h]goodness, and a poor man is better than a liar.

23 The fear of the Lord leadeth to life: and he that is filled therewith, shall continue, and shall not be visited with evil.

24 (G)The slothful hideth his hand in his bosom, and will not put it to his mouth again.

25 (H)Smite a scorner, and the [i]foolish will beware: and reprove the prudent, and he will understand knowledge.

26 He that destroyeth his father, or chaseth away his mother, is a lewd and shameful child.

27 My son, hear no more the instruction, that causeth to err from the words of knowledge.

28 A wicked witness mocketh at judgment, and the mouth of the wicked [j]swalloweth up iniquity.

29 But judgments are prepared for the scorners, and stripes for the back of the fools.

Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 19:7 To have comfort of them.
  2. Proverbs 19:8 He that is upright in judgment findeth favor of God.
  3. Proverbs 19:10 The free use of things are not to be permitted to him that cannot use them aright.
  4. Proverbs 19:11 That is, to cover it by charity, and to do therein as may most serve to God’s glory.
  5. Proverbs 19:13 As rain that droppeth and rotteth the house.
  6. Proverbs 19:19 Though for a time he give place to counsel, yet soon after will he give place to his raging affections.
  7. Proverbs 19:21 Man’s device shall not have success, except God govern it, whose purpose is unchangeable.
  8. Proverbs 19:22 That is, that he be honest: for the poor man that is honest, is to be esteemed above the rich which is not virtuous.
  9. Proverbs 19:25 That is, the simple and ignorant men learn, when they see the wicked punished.
  10. Proverbs 19:28 Taketh a pleasure and delight therein, as gluttons and drunkards in delicate meats and drinks.

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

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

Also, that the soul be without knowledge, it is not good; and he that hasteth with his feet sinneth.

The foolishness of man perverteth his way: and his heart fretteth against the Lord.

Wealth maketh many friends; but the poor is separated from his neighbour.

A false witness shall not be unpunished, and he that speaketh lies shall not escape.

Many will intreat the favour of the prince: and every man is a friend to him that giveth gifts.

All the brethren of the poor do hate him: how much more do his friends go far from him? he pursueth them with words, yet they are wanting to him.

He that getteth wisdom loveth his own soul: he that keepeth understanding shall find good.

A false witness shall not be unpunished, and he that speaketh lies shall perish.

10 Delight is not seemly for a fool; much less for a servant to have rule over princes.

11 The discretion of a man deferreth his anger; and it is his glory to pass over a transgression.

12 The king's wrath 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 riches are the inheritance of fathers: and a prudent wife is from the Lord.

15 Slothfulness casteth into a deep sleep; and an idle soul shall suffer hunger.

16 He that keepeth the commandment keepeth his own soul; but he that despiseth his ways shall die.

17 He that hath pity upon the poor lendeth unto the Lord; and that which he hath given will he pay him again.

18 Chasten thy son while there is hope, and let not thy soul spare for his crying.

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 There are many devices in a man's heart; nevertheless the counsel of the Lord, that shall stand.

22 The desire of a man is his kindness: and a poor man is better than a liar.

23 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 slothful man hideth his hand in his bosom, and will not so much as bring it to his mouth again.

25 Smite a scorner, and the simple will beware: and reprove one that hath understanding, and he will understand knowledge.

26 He that wasteth his father, and chaseth away his mother, is a son that causeth shame, and bringeth reproach.

27 Cease, my son, to hear the instruction that causeth to err from the words of knowledge.

28 An ungodly witness scorneth judgment: and the mouth of the wicked devoureth iniquity.

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