Proverbs 19
1 Better is the poor who walks in his integrity than he who is perverse in his lips and is a fool.
Better to be poor but honest than stupid and tell lies.
2 It isn’t good to have zeal without knowledge, nor being hasty with one’s feet and missing the way.
It's not good to be someone who doesn't think. If you rush, things go wrong.
3 The foolishness of man subverts his way; his heart rages against Yahweh.
People mess up their lives by their own stupidity, and then get angry with the Lord.
4 Wealth adds many friends, but the poor is separated from his friend.
If you're rich, you get a lot of friends, but if you're poor, you lose any friends you had.
5 A false witness shall not be unpunished. He who pours out lies shall not go free.
A false witness will be punished; liars won't get away with their lies.
6 Many will entreat the favor of a ruler, and everyone is a friend to a man who gives gifts.
Many ask favors from important people, and everyone's a friend of the generous.
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.
If a poor man's relatives can't stand him, how much more will his friends avoid him! He tries to talk with them but they don't listen.
8 He who gets wisdom loves his own soul. He who keeps understanding shall find good.
If you become wise, you have good self-esteem; if you learn good sense you'll be successful.
9 A false witness shall not be unpunished. He who utters lies shall perish.
A false witness will be punished; people who tell lies will perish.
10 Delicate living is not appropriate for a fool, much less for a servant to have rule over princes.
It's not right for stupid people to live in luxury, and it's even worse for a slave to rule over leaders.
11 The discretion of a man makes him slow to anger. It is his glory to overlook an offense.
If you have good sense you'll be slow to get angry; you gain respect by forgiving wrongs.
12 The king’s wrath is like the roaring of a lion, but his favor is like dew on the grass.
When a king gets angry, he sounds like a roaring lion; but his kindness is as soft as dew on the grass.
13 A foolish son is the calamity of his father. A wife’s quarrels are a continual dripping.
A stupid son makes his father miserable, and an argumentative wife is like dripping that never stops.
14 House and riches are an inheritance from fathers, but a prudent wife is from Yahweh.
You inherit a house and wealth from your father, but a sensible wife is a gift from the Lord.
15 Slothfulness casts into a deep sleep. The idle soul shall suffer hunger.
Lazy people are often fast asleep, but idleness means they're hungry.
16 He who keeps the commandment keeps his soul, but he who is contemptuous in his ways shall die.
Keep the commandments, and you'll live; despise them and you'll die.
17 He who has pity on the poor lends to Yahweh; he will reward him.
If you're kind to the poor, you're lending to the Lord, and he will repay you well for what you've done.
18 Discipline your son, for there is hope; don’t be a willing party to his death.
Discipline your son while there's still hope, but don't kill him.
19 A hot-tempered man must pay the penalty, for if you rescue him, you must do it again.
People who often get angry have to pay the penalty; if you help them, you'll have to do it again.
20 Listen to counsel and receive instruction, that you may be wise in your latter end.
Listen to advice and accept instruction so that you'll eventually become wise.
21 There are many plans in a man’s heart, but Yahweh’s counsel will prevail.
Human beings make many plans in their minds, but the final decision is the Lord's.
22 That which makes a man to be desired is his kindness. A poor man is better than a liar.
The most desirable thing in anyone is trustworthy love; it is better to be poor than a liar.
23 The fear of Yahweh leads to life, then contentment; he rests and will not be touched by trouble.
Honoring the Lord is life, and you will rest contentedly, safe from harm.
24 The sluggard buries his hand in the dish; he will not so much as bring it to his mouth again.
Lazy people put their hands in a dish, and won't even lift the food to their mouths.
25 Flog a scoffer, and the simple will learn prudence; rebuke one who has understanding, and he will gain knowledge.
If you punish someone who mocks, you may help an immature person to learn. Correct the wise, and they become wiser.
26 He who robs his father and drives away his mother is a son who causes shame and brings reproach.
A son who abuses his father and chases away his mother brings shame and disgrace.
27 If you stop listening to instruction, my son, you will stray from the words of knowledge.
My son, stop listening to my instruction and you'll soon give up following wisdom.
28 A corrupt witness mocks justice, and the mouth of the wicked gulps down iniquity.
A crooked witness makes a mockery of justice; and the wicked wolf down evil.
29 Penalties are prepared for scoffers, and beatings for the backs of fools.
Punishment is ready for those who mock; flogging is ready for the backs of the stupid.
