Proverbs 19

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

Better is the poor man whose ways are upright, than the man of wealth whose ways are twisted.

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

Further, without knowledge desire is not good; and he who is over-quick in acting goes out of the right way.

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

By his foolish behaviour a man's ways are turned upside down, and his heart is bitter against the Lord.

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

Wealth makes a great number of friends; but the poor man is parted from his friend.

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

A false witness will not go without punishment, and the breather out of deceit will not go free.

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

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.

7 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].

All the brothers of the poor man are against him: how much more do his friends go far from him! ...

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

He who gets wisdom has love for his soul: he who keeps good sense will get what is truly good.

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

A false witness will not go without punishment, and the breather out of deceit will be cut off.

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

Material comfort is not good for the foolish; much less for a servant to be put over rulers.

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

A man's good sense makes him slow to wrath, and the overlooking of wrongdoing is his glory.

12 The king’s wrath [is] as the roaring of a lion; but his favour [is] as dew upon the grass.

The king's wrath is like the loud cry of a lion, but his approval is like dew on the grass.

13 A foolish son [is] the calamity of his father: and the contentions of a wife [are] a continual dropping.

A foolish son is the destruction of his father; and the bitter arguments of a wife are like drops of rain falling without end.

14 House and riches [are] the inheritance of fathers: and a prudent wife [is] from the LORD.

House and wealth are a heritage from fathers, but a wife with good sense is from the Lord.

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

Hate of work sends deep sleep on a man: and he who has no industry will go without food.

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

He who keeps the law keeps his soul; but death will be the fate of him who takes no note of the word.

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

He who has pity on the poor gives to the Lord, and the Lord will give him his reward.

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

Give your son training while there is hope; let not your heart be purposing his death.

19 A man of great wrath shall suffer punishment: for if thou deliver [him], yet thou must do it again.

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.

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

Let your ear be open to suggestion and take teaching, so that at the end you may be wise.

21 [There are] many devices in a man’s heart; nevertheless the counsel of the LORD, that shall stand.

A man's heart may be full of designs, but the purpose of the Lord is unchanging.

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

The ornament of a man is his mercy, and a poor man is better than one who is false.

23 The fear of the LORD [tendeth] to life: and [he that hath it] shall abide satisfied; he shall not be visited with evil.

The fear of the Lord gives life: and he who has it will have need of nothing; no evil will come his way.

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

The hater of work puts his hand deep into the basin, and will not even take 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.

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.

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

He who is violent to his father, driving away his mother, is a son causing shame and a bad name.

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

A son who no longer gives attention to teaching is turned away from the words of knowledge.

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

A good-for-nothing witness makes sport of the judge's decision: and the mouth of evil-doers sends out evil like a stream.

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

Rods are being made ready for the man of pride, and blows for the back of the foolish.