Proverbs 19

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

1 Better is the poor who walks in his integrity than he who 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 It isn’t good to have zeal without knowledge, nor to be hasty with one’s feet and miss the way.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

6 Many will entreat the favor of a ruler, and everyone is a friend to a man who gives 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 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 acquires wisdom loves himself; one who safeguards understanding will find success.

8 He who gets wisdom loves his own soul. He who keeps 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. He who utters lies shall perish.

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

10 Delicate living is not appropriate 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 makes him slow to anger. It is his glory to overlook an offense.

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 like the roaring of a lion, but his favor is like dew on 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. A wife’s quarrels are a continual dripping.

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

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

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

15 Slothfulness casts into a deep sleep. The 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 who keeps the commandment keeps his soul, but he who is contemptuous in his ways shall die.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

22 That which makes a man to be desired is his kindness. 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 Yahweh leads to life, then contentment; he rests and will not be touched by trouble.

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

24 The sluggard buries his hand in the dish; he 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 Flog a scoffer, and the simple will learn prudence; rebuke one who has understanding, and he will gain knowledge.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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