Proverbs 19
1 Better is the poor man whose ways are upright, than the man of wealth whose ways are twisted.
Better is the poor who walks in his simplicity, than the rich who twists his lips and is unwise.
2 Further, without knowledge desire is not good; and he who is over-quick in acting goes out of the right way.
Where there is no knowledge of the soul, there is no good. And whoever hurries with his feet will stumble.
3 By his foolish behaviour a man's ways are turned upside down, and his heart is bitter against the Lord.
The foolishness of a man undermines his steps. And then he seethes in his soul against God.
4 Wealth makes a great number of friends; but the poor man is parted from his friend.
Riches add many friends. But from the pauper, even those whom he had become separated.
5 A false witness will not go without punishment, and the breather out of deceit will not go free.
A false witness shall not go unpunished. And whoever speaks lies will not escape.
6 Great numbers will make attempts to get the approval of a ruler: and every man is the special friend of him who has something to give.
Many honor the character of one who is powerful, and there are friends for a giver of gifts.
7 All the brothers of the poor man are against him: how much more do his friends go far from him! ...
The brothers of the poor man hate him. Moreover, even his friends have withdrawn far from him. Whoever pursues only words shall have nothing.
8 He who gets wisdom has love for his soul: he who keeps good sense will get what is truly good.
But whoever possesses reason loves his own soul. And one who guards prudence shall discover good things.
9 A false witness will not go without punishment, and the breather out of deceit will be cut off.
A false witness shall not go unpunished. And whoever speaks lies will perish.
10 Material comfort is not good for the foolish; much less for a servant to be put over rulers.
Fine things are not fitting for the foolish, nor is it fitting for a servant to rule over princes.
11 A man's good sense makes him slow to wrath, and the overlooking of wrongdoing is his glory.
The doctrine of a man is known through patience. And his glory is to pass beyond iniquities.
12 The king's wrath is like the loud cry of a lion, but his approval is like dew on the grass.
Like the roaring of a lion, so also is the wrath of a king. And his cheerfulness is like the dew upon the grass.
13 A foolish son is the destruction of his father; and the bitter arguments of a wife are like drops of rain falling without end.
A foolish son is the grief of his father. And an argumentative wife is like a roof that is continually leaking.
14 House and wealth are a heritage from fathers, but a wife with good sense is from the Lord.
A house and its riches are given by parents. But a prudent wife is particularly from the Lord.
15 Hate of work sends deep sleep on a man: and he who has no industry will go without food.
Laziness sends one into a deep sleep, and a dissolute soul will go hungry.
16 He who keeps the law keeps his soul; but death will be the fate of him who takes no note of the word.
Whoever guards a commandment guards his own soul. But whoever neglects his own way will die.
17 He who has pity on the poor gives to the Lord, and the Lord will give him his reward.
Whoever is merciful to the poor lends to the Lord. And he will repay him for his efforts.
18 Give your son training while there is hope; let not your heart be purposing his death.
Teach your son; do not despair. But do not set your soul toward putting him to death.
19 A man of great wrath will have to take his punishment: for if you get him out of trouble you will have to do it again.
Whoever is impatient will sustain damage. And when it has been taken away, he will set up another.
20 Let your ear be open to suggestion and take teaching, so that at the end you may be wise.
Listen to counsel and take up discipline, so that you may be wise in your latter days.
21 A man's heart may be full of designs, but the purpose of the Lord is unchanging.
There are many intentions in the heart of a man. But the will of the Lord shall stand firm.
22 The ornament of a man is his mercy, and a poor man is better than one who is false.
An indigent man is merciful. And a pauper is better than a deceitful man.
23 The fear of the Lord gives life: and he who has it will have need of nothing; no evil will come his way.
The fear of the Lord is unto life. And he shall linger in plentitude, without being visited by disaster.
24 The hater of work puts his hand deep into the basin, and will not even take it to his mouth again.
The lazy conceals his hand under his arm, and he will not so much as bring it to his mouth.
25 When blows overtake the man of pride, the simple will get sense; say sharp words to the wise, and knowledge will be made clear to him.
When the pestilent are scourged, the foolish will become wiser. But if you chastise the wise, he will understand discipline.
26 He who is violent to his father, driving away his mother, is a son causing shame and a bad name.
Whoever afflicts his father and flees from his mother is disreputable and unhappy.
27 A son who no longer gives attention to teaching is turned away from the words of knowledge.
Son, do not cease listening to doctrine, and do not be ignorant of the sermons of knowledge.
28 A good-for-nothing witness makes sport of the judge's decision: and the mouth of evil-doers sends out evil like a stream.
An unjust witness ridicules judgment. And the mouth of the impious devours iniquity.
29 Rods are being made ready for the man of pride, and blows for the back of the foolish.
Judgments are prepared for those who ridicule. And striking hammers are prepared for the bodies of the foolish.
