Proverbs 19

1 Better is the poor that walketh in his integrity, than he that 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.

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

The folly of a man spoils his ways: and he blames God in his heart.

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

Wealth acquires many friends; but the poor is deserted even of the friend he has.

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

A false witness shall not be unpunished, and he that accuses unjustly shall not escape.

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

Many court the favour of kings; but every bad man becomes a reproach to [another] man.

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 gone.

Every one who hates [his] poor brother shall also be far from friendship. Good understanding will draw near to them that know it, and a sensible man will find it. He that does much harm perfects mischief; and he that used provoking words shall not escape.

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

He that procures wisdom loves himself; and he that keeps wisdom 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; and whoever shall kindle mischief shall perish by it.

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

Delight does not suit a fool, nor [is it seemly] if a servant should begin to rule with haughtiness.

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

A merciful man is longsuffering; and his triumph overtakes transgressors.

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

The threatening of a king is like the roaring of a lion; but as dew on the grass, so is his favour.

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

A foolish son is a disgrace to his father: vows [paid out] of the hire of a harlot are not pure.

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

Fathers divide house and substance to [their] children: but a wife is suited to a man by the Lord.

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

Cowardice possesses the effeminate [man]; and the soul of the sluggard shall hunger.

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

He that keeps the commandment keeps his own soul; but he that despises his ways shall perish.

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

He that has pity on the poor lends to the Lord; and he will recompense to him according to his gift.

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

Chasten your son, for so he shall be hopeful; and be not exalted in your soul to haughtiness.

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

A malicious man shall be severely punished, and if he commit injury, he shall also lose his life.

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

Hear, son, the instruction of your father, that you may be wise at 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 thoughts in a man's heart; but the counsel of the Lord abides for ever.

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

Mercy is a fruit to a man: and a poor man is better than a rich 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 the Lord is life to a man: and he shall lodge without fear in places where knowledge is not seen.

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

He that unjustly hides his hands in his bosom, will not even [bring] them up to his mouth.

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

When a pestilent character is scourged, a simple man is made wiser: and if you reprove a wise man, he will understand discretion.

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

He that dishonours his father, and drives away his mother, shall be disgraced and shall be exposed to reproach.

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

A son who ceases to attend to the instruction of a father will cherish evil designs.

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

He that becomes surety for a foolish child will despise the ordinance: and the mouth of ungodly men shall drink down judgement.

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

Scourges are preparing for the intemperate, and punishments likewise for fools.