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19 Better [is] the poor walking in his integrity, Than the perverse [in] his lips, who [is] a fool.

Also, without knowledge the soul [is] not good, And the hasty in feet is sinning.

The folly of man perverteth his way, And against Jehovah is his heart wroth.

Wealth addeth many friends, And the poor from his neighbour is separated.

A false witness is not acquitted, Whoso breatheth out lies is not delivered.

Many entreat the face of the noble, And all have made friendship to a man of gifts.

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!

Whoso is getting heart is loving his soul, He is keeping understanding to find good.

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!

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