Proverbs 19

1 Conducting our lives as we should [even though] we are poor is better than being foolish and telling lies.

Better is the poor who walks in his simplicity, than the rich who twists his lips and is unwise.

2 Being enthusiastic but not thinking carefully [about what we are about to do] is not good; doing things hastily can cause us a lot of trouble [IDM].

Where there is no knowledge of the soul, there is no good. And whoever hurries with his feet will stumble.

3 Some people are ruined as a result of their [own] foolish actions, and when that happens, they [SYN] angrily say that it is Yahweh’s fault.

The foolishness of a man undermines his steps. And then he seethes in his soul against God.

4 Those who are rich easily find people who want to be their friends, but when [people become] poor, their friends [often] desert them.

Riches add many friends. But from the pauper, even those whom he had become separated.

5 Those who tell lies in court will surely be punished [LIT]; they will not escape it.

A false witness shall not go unpunished. And whoever speaks lies will not escape.

6 Many [people] try to persuade important people to do favors for them; everyone [wants to] be a friend of those who give gifts.

Many honor the character of one who is powerful, and there are friends for a giver of gifts.

7 [Even] the relatives of someone who becomes poor hate him, and his friends certainly stay away from him, too; [even] if he tries to talk with them, they will not be his friends [again].

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 Moreover, even his friends have withdrawn far from him.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 Those who become wise [IDM] are doing a favor for themselves; those who get good sense will prosper.

But whoever possesses reason loves his own soul. And one who guards prudence shall discover good things.

9 Those who tell lies in court will certainly be punished [LIT]; they will be ruined.

A false witness shall not go unpunished. And whoever speaks lies will perish.

10 It is not appropriate for foolish people to live (luxuriously/like rich people), and it is even less appropriate for slaves to rule important officials.

Fine things are not fitting for the foolish, nor is it fitting for a servant to rule over princes.

11 Those who have good sense do not quickly become angry; people respect those who ignore offensive [things that people say to them].

The doctrine of a man is known through patience. And his glory is to pass beyond iniquities.

12 When a king is angry, [that causes people to be afraid of him], like the roar of a lion [causes people to be afraid] [SIM], but if he acts kindly toward people, [they like it just] like [they like] dew on the grass [in the morning].

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 Foolish children [can] cause disasters to happen to their parents. A wife who constantly (nags/quarrels with) [her husband is as annoying as] water that continually drips [MET].

A foolish son is the grief of his father. And an argumentative wife is like a roof that is continually leaking.

14 We [can] inherit a house or money from our parents [when they die], but only Yahweh [can] give someone a sensible wife.

A house and its riches are given by parents. But a prudent wife is particularly from the Lord.

15 Those who are lazy sleep soundly, but if they are lazy, they will be hungry [because of not earning money to buy food].

Laziness sends one into a deep sleep, and a dissolute soul will go hungry.

16 Those who obey [God’s] commandments will remain alive [for a long time]; those who despise/disobey them (OR, those who do not control their own conduct) will die [while they are still young].

Whoever guards a commandment guards his own soul. But whoever neglects his own way will die.

17 When we give things to poor [people], [it is as though] we are lending to Yahweh, and he will (pay us back/reward us for what we did).

Whoever is merciful to the poor lends to the Lord. And he will repay him for his efforts.

18 Discipline your children while [they are young], while you still hope that [they will learn to behave as they should]; [if you do not discipline them], you are helping them to destroy [themselves].

Teach your son; do not despair. But do not set your soul toward putting him to death.

19 Those who (do not control their temper/quickly become very angry) will have to endure what happens as a result; [but] if we rescue them [from those troubles once], we will have to continue rescuing them.

Whoever is impatient will sustain damage. And when it has been taken away, he will set up another.

20 Pay attention when [people give you good] advice and learn from them, in order that you will become wise for the rest of your life.

Listen to counsel and take up discipline, so that you may be wise in your latter days.

21 People plan to do many [kinds of things], but what will happen is what Yahweh has decided will happen.

There are many intentions in the heart of a man. But the will of the Lord shall stand firm.

22 People want others to be loyal to them; it is better to be poor than to tell a lie [to a judge in court in order to get money].

An indigent man is merciful. And a pauper is better than a deceitful man.

23 [Those who have] an awesome respect for Yahweh will live [a long life]; they rest peacefully and are not harmed [during the night].

The fear of the Lord is unto life. And he shall linger in plentitude, without being visited by disaster.

24 Some people are extremely lazy; they put their hand in a dish [to take some food] but do not even lift the food up to their mouths.

The lazy conceals his hand under his arm, and he will not so much as bring it to his mouth.

25 If you punish someone who makes fun of those who are wise, those who (are naive/need to be instructed) will learn to do what is smart; if you rebuke those who are wise, they will [listen to what you say and] become wiser.

When the pestilent are scourged, the foolish will become wiser. But if you chastise the wise, he will understand discipline.

26 Anyone who mistreats/abuses his father or forces his mother to leave the home is a child who is acting shamefully and disgracefully.

Whoever afflicts his father and flees from his mother is disreputable and unhappy.

27 My son, if you stop learning things, you will [soon] forget what [you already] know.

Son, do not cease listening to doctrine, and do not be ignorant of the sermons of knowledge.

28 Worthless witnesses [in court] make fun of [judges who try to] make fair decisions, and wicked people [enjoy] doing evil [like] they enjoy eating [good food] [MET].

An unjust witness ridicules judgment. And the mouth of the impious devours iniquity.

29 [God] is ready to punish those who make fun [of him/religion]; those who do foolish things deserve to be flogged/whipped.

Judgments are prepared for those who ridicule. And striking hammers are prepared for the bodies of the foolish.