Proverbs 19

¹Better is the poor that walketh in his integrity, than he that is perverse in his lips, and is a fool. ²Also, that the soul be without knowledge, it is not good; and he that hasteth with his feet sinneth. ³The foolishness of man perverteth his way: and his heart fretteth against the Lord. ⁴Wealth maketh many friends; but the poor is separated from his neighbour. ⁵A false witness shall not be unpunished, and he that speaketh lies shall not escape.

⁶Many will intreat the favour of the prince: and every man is a friend to him that giveth gifts.⁷All 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. ⁸He that getteth wisdom loveth his own soul: he that keepeth understanding shall find good.⁹A false witness shall not be unpunished, and he that speaketh lies shall perish. ¹⁰Delight is not seemly for a fool; much less for a servant to have rule over princes. ¹¹The discretion of a man deferreth his anger; and it is his glory to pass over a transgression.¹²The king’s wrath is as the roaring of a lion; but his favour is as dew upon the grass. ¹³A foolish son is the calamity of his father: and the contentions of a wife are a continual dropping. ¹⁴House and riches are the inheritance of fathers: and a prudent wife is from the Lord. ¹⁵Slothfulness casteth into a deep sleep; and an idle soul shall suffer hunger. ¹⁶He that keepeth the commandment keepeth his own soul; but he that despiseth his ways shall die. ¹⁷He that hath pity upon the poor lendeth unto the Lord; and that which he hath given will he pay him again. ¹⁸Chasten thy son while there is hope, and let not thy soul spare for his crying. ¹⁹A man of great wrath shall suffer punishment: for if thou deliver him, yet thou must do it again. ²⁰Hear counsel, and receive instruction, that thou mayest be wise in thy latter end. ²¹There are many devices in a man’s heart; nevertheless the counsel of the Lord, that shall stand. ²²The desire of a man is his kindness: and a poor man is better than a liar. ²³The fear of the Lordtendeth to life: and he that hath it shall abide satisfied; he shall not be visited with evil. ²⁴A slothful man hideth his hand in his bosom, and will not so much as bring it to his mouth again. ²⁵Smite a scorner, and the simple will beware: and reprove one that hath understanding, and he will understand knowledge. ²⁶He that wasteth his father, and chaseth away his mother, is a son that causeth shame, and bringeth reproach. ²⁷Cease, my son, to hear the instruction that causeth to err from the words of knowledge. ²⁸An ungodly witness scorneth judgment: and the mouth of the wicked devoureth iniquity. ²⁹Judgments are prepared for scorners, and stripes for the back of fools.