Proverbs 19

1 Better a poor man who walks with integrity than a fool whose lips are perverse.

1 Better is the poor that walketh in his integrity, than he that is perverse in his lips, and is a fool.

2 Even zeal is no good without knowledge, and he who hurries his footsteps misses the mark.

2 Also, that the soul be without knowledge, it is not good; and he that hasteth with his feet sinneth.

3 A man’s own folly subverts his way, yet his heart rages against the LORD.

3 The foolishness of man perverteth his way: and his heart fretteth against the LORD.

4 Wealth attracts many friends, but a poor man is deserted by his friend.

4 Wealth maketh many friends; but the poor is separated from his neighbour.

5 A false witness will not go unpunished, and one who utters lies will not escape.

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

6 Many seek the favor of the prince, and everyone is a friend of the gift giver.

6 Many will intreat the favour of the prince: and every man is a friend to him that giveth gifts.

7 All the brothers of a poor man hate him—how much more do his friends avoid him! He may pursue them with pleading, but they are nowhere to be found.

7 All 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.

8 He who acquires wisdom loves himself; one who safeguards understanding will find success.

8 He that getteth wisdom loveth his own soul: he that keepeth understanding shall find good.

9 A false witness will not go unpunished, and one who pours out lies will perish.

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

10 Luxury is unseemly for a fool—how much worse for a slave to rule over princes!

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

11 A man’s insight gives him patience, and his virtue is to overlook an offense.

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

12 A king’s rage is like the roar of a lion, but his favor is like dew on the grass.

12 The king’s wrath is as the roaring of a lion; but his favour is as dew upon the grass.

13 A foolish son is his father’s ruin, and a quarrelsome wife is like a constant dripping.

13 A foolish son is the calamity of his father: and the contentions of a wife are a continual dropping.

14 Houses and wealth are inherited from fathers, but a prudent wife is from the LORD.

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

15 Laziness brings on deep sleep, and an idle soul will suffer hunger.

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

16 He who keeps a commandment preserves his soul, but he who is careless in his ways will die.

16 He that keepeth the commandment keepeth his own soul; but he that despiseth his ways shall die.

17 Kindness to the poor is a loan to the LORD, and He will repay the lender.

17 He that hath pity upon the poor lendeth unto the LORD; and that which he hath given will he pay him again.

18 Discipline your son, for in that there is hope; do not be party to his death.

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

19 A man of great anger must pay the penalty; if you rescue him, you will have to do so again.

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

20 Listen to counsel and accept discipline, that you may be wise the rest of your days.

20 Hear counsel, and receive instruction, that thou mayest be wise in thy latter end.

21 Many plans are in a man’s heart, but the purpose of the LORD will prevail.

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

22 The desire of a man is loving devotion; better to be poor than a liar.

22 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, that one may rest content, without visitation from harm.

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

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

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

25 Strike a mocker, and the simple will beware; rebuke the discerning man, and he will gain knowledge.

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

26 He who assaults his father or evicts his mother is a son who brings shame and disgrace.

26 He that wasteth his father, and chaseth away his mother, is a son that causeth shame, and bringeth reproach.

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

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

28 A corrupt witness mocks justice, and a wicked mouth swallows iniquity.

28 An ungodly witness scorneth judgment: and the mouth of the wicked devoureth iniquity.

29 Judgments are prepared for mockers, and beatings for the backs of fools.

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