Proverbs 19

¹Better is the poor who walks in his integrity

than he who is perverse in his lips and is a fool.

²It isn’t good to have zeal without knowledge,

nor being hasty with one’s feet and missing the way.

³The foolishness of man subverts his way;

his heart rages against the LORD.

⁴Wealth adds many friends,

but the poor is separated from his friend.

⁵A false witness shall not be unpunished.

He who pours out lies shall not go free.

⁶Many will entreat the favour of a ruler,

and everyone is a friend to a man who gives gifts.

⁷All the relatives of the poor shun him;

how much more do his friends avoid him!

He pursues them with pleas, but they are gone.

⁸He who gets wisdom loves his own soul.

He who keeps understanding shall find good.

⁹A false witness shall not be unpunished.

He who utters lies shall perish.

¹⁰Delicate living is not appropriate for a fool,

much less for a servant to have rule over princes.

¹¹The discretion of a man makes him slow to anger.

It is his glory to overlook an offence.

¹²The king’s wrath is like the roaring of a lion,

but his favour is like dew on the grass.

¹³A foolish son is the calamity of his father.

A wife’s quarrels are a continual dripping.

¹⁴House and riches are an inheritance from fathers,

but a prudent wife is from the LORD.

¹⁵Slothfulness casts into a deep sleep.

The idle soul shall suffer hunger.

¹⁶He who keeps the commandment keeps his soul,

but he who is contemptuous in his ways shall die.

¹⁷He who has pity on the poor lends to the LORD;

he will reward him.

¹⁸Discipline your son, for there is hope;

don’t be a willing party to his death.

¹⁹A hot-tempered man must pay the penalty,

for if you rescue him, you must do it again.

²⁰Listen to counsel and receive instruction,

that you may be wise in your latter end.

²¹There are many plans in a man’s heart,

but the LORD’s counsel will prevail.

²²That which makes a man to be desired is his kindness.

A poor man is better than a liar.

²³The fear of the LORD leads to life, then contentment;

he rests and will not be touched by trouble.

²⁴The sluggard buries his hand in the dish;

he will not so much as bring it to his mouth again.

²⁵Flog a scoffer, and the simple will learn prudence;

rebuke one who has understanding, and he will gain knowledge.

²⁶He who robs his father and drives away his mother

is a son who causes shame and brings reproach.

²⁷If you stop listening to instruction, my son,

you will stray from the words of knowledge.

²⁸A corrupt witness mocks justice,

and the mouth of the wicked gulps down iniquity.

²⁹Penalties are prepared for scoffers,

and beatings for the backs of fools.