Proverbs 19

¹ Better is the poor who walks in his integrity than he who is perverse in his lips and is a fool.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

¹⁰ Delicate living is not appropriate 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 offense.

¹² 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. A wife’s quarrels are a continual dripping.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

²⁴ The sluggard buries his hand in the dish; he 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.

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

²⁷ If you stop listening to 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.

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