Proverbs 19

1 Better is the poor who walks in his integrity than he who is perverse in his lips and is a fool.

The folly of a man spoils his ways: and he blames God in his heart.

2 It is not good to have zeal without knowledge, nor being hasty with one’s feet and missing the way.

3 The foolishness of man subverts his way; his heart rages against the LORD.

4 Wealth adds many friends, but the poor is separated from his friend.

Wealth acquires many friends; but the poor is deserted even of the friend he has.

5 A false witness shall not be unpunished. He who pours out lies shall not go free.

A false witness shall not be unpunished, and he that accuses unjustly shall not escape.

6 Many will entreat the favor of a ruler, and everyone is a friend to a man who gives gifts.

Many court the favour of kings; but every bad man becomes a reproach to [another] man.

7 All the relatives of the poor shun him; how much more do his friends avoid him! He pursues them with pleas, but they are gone.

Every one who hates [his] poor brother shall also be far from friendship. Good understanding will draw near to them that know it, and a sensible man will find it. He that does much harm perfects mischief; and he that used provoking words shall not escape.

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

He that procures wisdom loves himself; and he that keeps wisdom shall find good.

9 A false witness shall not be unpunished. He who utters lies shall perish.

A false witness shall not be unpunished; and whosoever shall kindle mischief shall perish by it.

10 Delicate living is not appropriate for a fool, much less for a servant to have rule over princes.

Delight does not suit a fool, nor [is it seemly] if a servant should begin to rule with haughtiness.

11 The discretion of a man makes him slow to anger. It is his glory to overlook an offense.

A merciful man is long-suffering; and his triumph overtakes transgressors.

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

The threatening of a king is like the roaring of a lion; but as dew on the grass, so is his favour.

13 A foolish son is the calamity of his father. A wife’s quarrels are a continual dripping.

A foolish son is a disgrace to his father: vows [paid out] of the hire of a harlot are not pure.

14 House and riches are an inheritance from fathers, but a prudent wife is from the LORD.

Fathers divide house and substance to [their] children: but a wife is suited to a man by the Lord.

15 Slothfulness casts into a deep sleep. The idle soul shall suffer hunger.

Cowardice possesses the effeminate [man]; and the soul of the sluggard shall hunger.

16 He who keeps the commandment keeps his soul, but he who is contemptuous in his ways shall die.

He that keeps the commandment keeps his own soul; but he that despises his ways shall perish.

17 He who has pity on the poor lends to the LORD; he will reward him.

He that has pity on the poor lends to the Lord; and he will recompense to him according to his gift.

18 Discipline your son, for there is hope; do not be a willing party to his death.

Chasten thy son, for so he shall be hopeful; and be not exalted in thy soul to haughtiness.

19 A hot-tempered man must pay the penalty, for if you rescue him, you must do it again.

A malicious man shall be severely punished, and if he commit injury, he shall also lose his life.

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

Hear, son, the instruction of thy father, that thou mayest be wise at thy latter end.

21 There are many plans in a man’s heart, but the LORD’s counsel will prevail.

[There are] many thoughts in a man's heart; but the counsel of the Lord abides for ever.

22 That which makes a man to be desired is his kindness. A poor man is better than a liar.

Mercy is a fruit to a man: and a poor man is better than a rich liar.

23 The fear of the LORD leads to life, then contentment; he rests and will not be touched by trouble.

The fear of the Lord is life to a man: and he shall lodge without fear in places where knowledge is not seen.

24 The sluggard buries his hand in the dish; he will not so much as bring it to his mouth again.

He that unjustly hides his hands in his bosom, will not even [bring] them up to his mouth.

25 Flog a scoffer, and the simple will learn prudence; rebuke one who has understanding, and he will gain knowledge.

When a pestilent character is scourged, a simple man is made wiser: and if thou reprove a wise man, he will understand discretion.

26 He who robs his father and drives away his mother is a son who causes shame and brings reproach.

He that dishonours his father, and drives away his mother, shall be disgraced and shall be exposed to reproach.

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

A son who ceases to attend to the instruction of a father will cherish evil designs.

28 A corrupt witness mocks justice, and the mouth of the wicked gulps down iniquity.

He that becomes surety for a foolish child will despise the ordinance: and the mouth of ungodly men shall drink down judgment.

29 Penalties are prepared for scoffers, and beatings for the backs of fools.

Scourges are preparing for the intemperate, and punishments likewise for fools.