Proverbs 19
1 Betere is a pore man, that goith in his simplenesse, than a riche man bitynge hise lippis, and vnwijs.
Better is the poor who walks in his integrity than he who is perverse in his lips and is a fool.
2 Where is not kunnyng of the soule, is not good; and he that is hasti, in feet hirtith.
It isn’t good to have zeal without knowledge, nor being hasty with one’s feet and missing the way.
3 The foli of a man disseyueth hise steppis; and he brenneth in his soule ayens God.
The foolishness of man subverts his way; his heart rages against Yahweh.
4 Richessis encreessen ful many freendis; forsothe also thei ben departid fro a pore man, whiche he hadde.
Wealth adds many friends, but the poor is separated from his friend.
5 A fals witnesse schal not be vnpunyschid; and he that spekith leesingis, schal not ascape.
A false witness shall not be unpunished. He who pours out lies shall not go free.
6 Many men onouren the persoone of a myyti man; and ben frendis of hym that deelith yiftis.
Many will entreat the favor of a ruler, and everyone is a friend to a man who gives gifts.
7 The britheren of a pore man haten hym; ferthermore and the freendis yeden awei fer fro hym. He that sueth wordis oonli, schal haue no thing;
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.
8 but he that holdith stabli the mynde, loueth his soule, and the kepere of prudence schal fynde goodis.
He who gets wisdom loves his own soul. He who keeps understanding shall find good.
9 A fals witnesse schal not be vnpunyschid; and he that spekith leesyngis, schal perische.
A false witness shall not be unpunished. He who utters lies shall perish.
10 Delices bicomen not a fool; nether `it bicometh a seruaunt to be lord of princes.
Delicate living is not appropriate for a fool, much less for a servant to have rule over princes.
11 The teching of a man is knowun bi pacience; and his glorie is to passe ouere wickid thingis.
The discretion of a man makes him slow to anger. It is his glory to overlook an offense.
12 As the gnasting of a lioun, so and the ire of the king; and as deewe on eerbe, so and the gladnesse of the kyng.
The king’s wrath is like the roaring of a lion, but his favor is like dew on the grass.
13 The sorewe of the fadir is a fonned sone; and roofes droppynge contynueli is a womman ful of chiding.
A foolish son is the calamity of his father. A wife’s quarrels are a continual dripping.
14 Housis and richessis ben youun of fadir and modir; but a prudent wijf is youun propirli of the Lord.
House and riches are an inheritance from fathers, but a prudent wife is from Yahweh.
15 Slouth bringith in sleep; and a negligent soule schal haue hungur.
Slothfulness casts into a deep sleep. The idle soul shall suffer hunger.
16 He that kepith the comaundement of God, kepith his soule; but he that chargith not his weie, schal be slayn.
He who keeps the commandment keeps his soul, but he who is contemptuous in his ways shall die.
17 He that hath mercy on a pore man, leeneth to the Lord; and he schal yelde his while to hym.
He who has pity on the poor lends to Yahweh; he will reward him.
18 Teche thi sone, and dispeire thou not; but sette thou not thi soule to the sleyng of hym.
Discipline your son, for there is hope; don’t be a willing party to his death.
19 Forsothe he that is vnpacient, schal suffre harm; and whanne he hath rauyschid, he schal leie to anothir thing.
A hot-tempered man must pay the penalty, for if you rescue him, you must do it again.
20 Here thou counsel, and take thou doctryn; that thou be wijs in thi laste thingis.
Listen to counsel and receive instruction, that you may be wise in your latter end.
21 Many thouytis ben in the herte of a man; but the wille of the Lord schal dwelle.
There are many plans in a man’s heart, but Yahweh’s counsel will prevail.
22 A nedi man is merciful; and betere is a pore iust man, than a man liere.
That which makes a man to be desired is his kindness. A poor man is better than a liar.
23 The drede of the Lord ledith to lijf `of blis; and he `that dredith God schal dwelle in plentee, with outen visityng `of the worste.
The fear of Yahweh leads to life, then contentment; he rests and will not be touched by trouble.
24 A slow man hidith his hond vndur the armpit; and putteth it not to his mouth.
The sluggard buries his hand in the dish; he will not so much as bring it to his mouth again.
25 Whanne a man ful of pestilence is betun, a fool schal be wisere. If thou blamist a wijs man, he schal vndurstonde techyng.
Flog a scoffer, and the simple will learn prudence; rebuke one who has understanding, and he will gain knowledge.
26 He that turmentith the fadir, and fleeth fro the modir, schal be ful of yuel fame, and schal be cursid.
He who robs his father and drives away his mother is a son who causes shame and brings reproach.
27 Sone, ceesse thou not to here techyng; and knowe thou the wordis of kunnyng.
If you stop listening to instruction, my son, you will stray from the words of knowledge.
28 A wickid witnesse scorneth doom; and the mouth of vnpitouse men deuourith wickidnesse.
A corrupt witness mocks justice, and the mouth of the wicked gulps down iniquity.
29 Domes ben maad redi to scorneris; and hameris smytynge ben maad redi to the bodies of foolis.
Penalties are prepared for scoffers, and beatings for the backs of fools.
