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 who walks in his integrity than he who is perverse in his lips and is a fool.
2 Also, [that] the soul [be] without knowledge, [it is] not good; and he that hasteth with [his] feet sinneth.
It isn’t good to have zeal without knowledge, nor being hasty with one’s feet and missing the way.
3 The foolishness of man perverteth his way: and his heart fretteth against the LORD.
The foolishness of man subverts his way; his heart rages against Yahweh.
4 Wealth maketh many friends; but the poor is separated from his neighbour.
Wealth adds many friends, but the poor is separated from his friend.
5 A false witness shall not be unpunished, and [he that] speaketh lies shall not escape.
A false witness shall not be unpunished. He who pours out lies shall not go free.
6 Many will intreat the favour of the prince: and every man [is] a friend to him that giveth gifts.
Many will entreat the favor of a ruler, and everyone is a friend to a man who gives gifts.
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 relatives of the poor shun him; how much more do his friends avoid him! He pursues them with pleas, but they are gone.
8 He that getteth wisdom loveth his own soul: he that keepeth understanding shall find good.
He who gets wisdom loves his own soul. He who keeps understanding shall find good.
9 A false witness shall not be unpunished, and [he that] speaketh lies shall perish.
A false witness shall not be unpunished. He who utters lies shall perish.
10 Delight is not seemly for a fool; much less for a servant to have rule over princes.
Delicate living is not appropriate for a fool, much less for a servant to have rule over princes.
11 The discretion of a man deferreth his anger; and [it is] his glory to pass over a transgression.
The discretion of a man makes him slow to anger. It is his glory to overlook an offense.
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 roaring of a lion, but his favor 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 calamity of his father. A wife’s quarrels are a continual dripping.
14 House and riches [are] the inheritance of fathers: and a prudent wife [is] from the LORD.
House and riches are an inheritance from fathers, but a prudent wife is from Yahweh.
15 Slothfulness casteth into a deep sleep; and an idle soul shall suffer hunger.
Slothfulness casts into a deep sleep. The idle soul shall suffer hunger.
16 He that keepeth the commandment keepeth his own soul; [but] he that despiseth his ways shall die.
He who keeps the commandment keeps his soul, but he who is contemptuous in his ways shall die.
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 lends to Yahweh; he will reward him.
18 Chasten thy son while there is hope, and let not thy soul spare for his crying.
Discipline your son, for there is hope; don’t be a willing party to his death.
19 A man of great wrath shall suffer punishment: for if thou deliver [him], yet thou must do it again.
A hot-tempered man must pay the penalty, for if you rescue him, you must do it again.
20 Hear counsel, and receive instruction, that thou mayest be wise in thy latter end.
Listen to counsel and receive instruction, that you may be wise in your latter end.
21 [There are] many devices in a man’s heart; nevertheless the counsel of the LORD, that shall stand.
There are many plans in a man’s heart, but Yahweh’s counsel will prevail.
22 The desire of a man [is] his kindness: and a poor man [is] better than a liar.
That which makes a man to be desired is his kindness. A poor man is better than a liar.
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 Yahweh leads to life, then contentment; he rests and will not be touched by trouble.
24 A slothful [man] hideth his hand in [his] bosom, and will not so much as bring it to his mouth again.
The sluggard buries his hand in the dish; he will not so much as bring 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.
Flog a scoffer, and the simple will learn prudence; rebuke one who has understanding, and he will gain knowledge.
26 He that wasteth [his] father, [and] chaseth away [his] mother, [is] a son that causeth shame, and bringeth reproach.
He who robs his father and drives away his mother is a son who causes shame and brings reproach.
27 Cease, my son, to hear the instruction [that causeth] to err from the words of knowledge.
If you stop listening to instruction, my son, you will stray from the words of knowledge.
28 An ungodly witness scorneth judgment: and the mouth of the wicked devoureth iniquity.
A corrupt witness mocks justice, and the mouth of the wicked gulps down iniquity.
29 Judgments are prepared for scorners, and stripes for the back of fools.
Penalties are prepared for scoffers, and beatings for the backs of fools.
