Proverbs 19

1 Better to be poor but honest than stupid and tell lies.

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

2 It's not good to be someone who doesn't think. If you rush, things go wrong.

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

3 People mess up their lives by their own stupidity, and then get angry with the Lord.

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

4 If you're rich, you get a lot of friends, but if you're poor, you lose any friends you had.

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

5 A false witness will be punished; liars won't get away with their lies.

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

6 Many ask favors from important people, and everyone's a friend of the generous.

Many will entreat the favour of the prince: and every man is a friend to him that giveth gifts.

7 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.

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 gone.

8 If you become wise, you have good self-esteem; if you learn good sense you'll be successful.

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

9 A false witness will be punished; people who tell lies will perish.

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

10 It's not right for stupid people to live in luxury, and it's even worse for a slave to rule over leaders.

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

11 If you have good sense you'll be slow to get angry; you gain respect by forgiving wrongs.

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

12 When a king gets angry, he sounds like a roaring lion; but his kindness is as soft as dew on the grass.

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

13 A stupid son makes his father miserable, and an argumentative wife is like dripping that never stops.

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

14 You inherit a house and wealth from your father, but a sensible wife is a gift from the Lord.

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

15 Lazy people are often fast asleep, but idleness means they're hungry.

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

16 Keep the commandments, and you'll live; despise them and you'll die.

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

17 If you're kind to the poor, you're lending to the Lord, and he will repay you well for what you've done.

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

18 Discipline your son while there's still hope, but don't kill him.

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

19 People who often get angry have to pay the penalty; if you help them, you'll have to do it again.

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

20 Listen to advice and accept instruction so that you'll eventually become wise.

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

21 Human beings make many plans in their minds, but the final decision is the Lord's.

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

22 The most desirable thing in anyone is trustworthy love; it is better to be poor than a liar.

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

23 Honoring the Lord is life, and you will rest contentedly, safe from harm.

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

24 Lazy people put their hands in a dish, and won't even lift the food to their mouths.

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

25 If you punish someone who mocks, you may help an immature person to learn. Correct the wise, and they become wiser.

Smite a scorner, and the simple will beware: and reprove one that hath understanding, and he will understand knowledge.

26 A son who abuses his father and chases away his mother brings shame and disgrace.

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

27 My son, stop listening to my instruction and you'll soon give up following wisdom.

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

28 A crooked witness makes a mockery of justice; and the wicked wolf down evil.

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

29 Punishment is ready for those who mock; flogging is ready for the backs of the stupid.

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