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 the poor that walks in his integrity, than he that is perverse in his lips, 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, that the soul be without knowledge, it is not good; and he that hastens with his feet sins.

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

The foolishness of man perverts his way: and his heart frets against the LORD.

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

Wealth makes many friends; but the poor is separated from his neighbor.

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

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

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

Many will entreat the favor of the prince: and every man is a friend to him that 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 the poor do hate him: how much more do his friends go far from him? he pursues them with words, yet they are wanting to him.

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

He that gets wisdom loves his own soul: he that keeps understanding shall find good.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

The king’s wrath is as the roaring of a lion; but his favor is as 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 the calamity of his father: and the contentions of a wife are a continual dropping.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

He that has pity on the poor lends to the LORD; and that which he has given will he pay him again.

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

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

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

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

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

Hear counsel, and receive instruction, that you may be wise in your latter end.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

He that wastes his father, and chases away his mother, is a son that causes shame, and brings reproach.

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

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

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

An ungodly witness scorns judgment: and the mouth of the wicked devours iniquity.

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

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