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 is a poor person who walks in his integrity than one who is perverse in speech and is a fool.

2 It isn’t good to have zeal without knowledge, nor being hasty with one’s feet and missing the way.

Also, it is not good to have desire without knowledge and the one who runs too fast misses the path.

3 The foolishness of man subverts his way; his heart rages against Yahweh.

A person's folly ruins his life and his heart rages against Yahweh.

4 Wealth adds many friends, but the poor is separated from his friend.

Wealth adds many friends, but a poor person is separated from his friends.

5 A false witness shall not be unpunished. He who pours out lies shall not go free.

A false witness will not go unpunished and he who breathes out lies will not escape.

6 Many will entreat the favor of a ruler, and everyone is a friend to a man who gives gifts.

Many will ask for a favor from a generous person and everyone is a friend of the one who gives gifts.

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.

All the brothers of a poor man hate him; how much more do his friends who go far away from him! He calls out to them, but they are gone.

8 He who gets wisdom loves his own soul. He who keeps understanding shall find good.

He who gets wisdom loves his own life; he who keeps understanding will find what is good.

9 A false witness shall not be unpunished. He who utters lies shall perish.

A false witness will not go unpunished, but the one who breathes out lies will perish.

10 Delicate living is not appropriate for a fool, much less for a servant to have rule over princes.

It is not fitting for a fool to live in luxury— much less for a slave to rule over princes.

11 The discretion of a man makes him slow to anger. It is his glory to overlook an offense.

Discretion makes a person slow to anger and it is his glory to overlook an offense.

12 The king’s wrath is like the roaring of a lion, but his favor is like dew on the grass.

The wrath of the king is like the roaring of a young lion, but his favor is like dew on the grass.

13 A foolish son is the calamity of his father. A wife’s quarrels are a continual dripping.

A foolish son is ruin to his father and a quarreling wife is a constant dripping of water.

14 House and riches are an inheritance from fathers, but a prudent wife is from Yahweh.

A house and wealth are inherited from parents, but a prudent wife is from Yahweh.

15 Slothfulness casts into a deep sleep. The idle soul shall suffer hunger.

Laziness throws a person into a deep sleep, but the one not willing to work will go hungry.

16 He who keeps the commandment keeps his soul, but he who is contemptuous in his ways shall die.

The one who obeys the command guards his life, but the person who does not think about his ways will die.

17 He who has pity on the poor lends to Yahweh; he will reward him.

Whoever is kind to the poor lends to Yahweh and he will repay him for what he has done.

18 Discipline your son, for there is hope; don’t be a willing party to his death.

Discipline your son while there is hope and do not set your desire on putting him to death.

19 A hot-tempered man must pay the penalty, for if you rescue him, you must do it again.

A hot-tempered person must pay the penalty; if you rescue him, you will have to do it a second time.

20 Listen to counsel and receive instruction, that you may be wise in your latter end.

Listen to advice and accept instruction, so you may become wise by the end of your life.

21 There are many plans in a man’s heart, but Yahweh’s counsel will prevail.

Many are the plans in a person's heart, but it is the purpose of Yahweh that will stand.

22 That which makes a man to be desired is his kindness. A poor man is better than a liar.

Loyalty is what a person desires and a poor person is better than a liar.

23 The fear of Yahweh leads to life, then contentment; he rests and will not be touched by trouble.

Honor for Yahweh leads people to life; anyone who has it will be satisfied and not afflicted by harm.

24 The sluggard buries his hand in the dish; he will not so much as bring it to his mouth again.

The sluggard buries his hand in the dish; he will not even bring it back up to his mouth.

25 Flog a scoffer, and the simple will learn prudence; rebuke one who has understanding, and he will gain knowledge.

Strike a mocker, and the naive person will become prudent; discipline one who is discerning, and he will gain knowledge.

26 He who robs his father and drives away his mother is a son who causes shame and brings reproach.

The one who robs his father and chases his mother away is a son who brings shame and reproach.

27 If you stop listening to instruction, my son, you will stray from the words of knowledge.

If you cease to hear instruction, my son, you will stray from the words of knowledge.

28 A corrupt witness mocks justice, and the mouth of the wicked gulps down iniquity.

A corrupt witness mocks justice and the mouth of the wicked swallows iniquity.

29 Penalties are prepared for scoffers, and beatings for the backs of fools.

Condemnation is ready for mockers and flogging for the backs of fools.