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Proverbs 19

Better is a poor man who walks in integrity than a fool with perverse lips. It isn't good for the soul to be without knowledge, and whoever rushes with his feet sins. A man's foolishness twists his way, and then his heart frets against the LORD. Wealth attracts many friends, but a poor man is separated even from his neighbour.

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Better the poor man

Better is a poor man who walks in integrity than a fool with perverse lips. It isn't good for the soul to be without knowledge, and whoever rushes with his feet sins. A man's foolishness twists his way, and then his heart frets against the LORD. Wealth attracts many friends, but a poor man is separated even from his neighbour. A false witness won't escape punishment, and whoever speaks lies won't get away. Many seek the favour of a prince, and everyone is a friend to the man who gives gifts. All the poor man's brothers hate him; how much more do his friends keep their distance. He pursues them with words, but they're gone. Whoever gets wisdom loves his own soul; whoever keeps understanding will find good. A false witness won't escape punishment, and whoever speaks lies will perish. Luxury doesn't suit a fool, much less a servant ruling over princes. A man's discretion makes him slow to anger, and it is his glory to overlook a wrongdoing. The king's anger is like the roaring of a lion, but his favour is like dew on the grass. A foolish son is his father's calamity, and the contentions of a wife are a continual dripping. House and riches are inherited from fathers, but a sensible wife is from the LORD.

Better the poor man who walks in his wholeness, than the one who's twisted in his lips and is a fool. For the soul to be without knowledge isn't good, and the one who hurries with his feet sins. The folly of a man twists his way, and his heart rages against the Lord. Wealth makes plenty of mates, but the poor is cut off from his neighbour. A false witness won't go unpunished, and the one who speaks lies won't get away. Plenty will look for the favour of the leader, and every man is a mate to the one who gives gifts. All the brothers of the poor hate him. How much more do his mates go far from him. He chases them with words, but they're gone. The one who gets wisdom loves his own soul. The one who keeps understanding will find good. A false witness won't go unpunished, and the one who speaks lies will be lost. Living in luxury doesn't suit a fool — much less for a servant to rule over leaders. The good sense of a man puts off his anger, and it's his glory to go past a wrong. The king's anger is like the roaring of a lion, but his favour is like dew on the grass. A foolish son is the ruin of his father, and the arguing of a wife is a dripping that never stops. House and riches come from fathers, but a careful wife is from the Lord.

Better is the poor that walketh in his integrity, than he that is perverse in his lips, and is a fool. Also, that the soul be without knowledge, it is not good; and he that hasteth with his feet sinneth. The foolishness of man perverteth his way: and his heart fretteth against the LORD. Wealth maketh many friends; but the poor is separated from his neighbour. A false witness shall not be unpunished, and he that speaketh lies shall not escape. Many will intreat the favour of the prince: and every man is a friend to him that giveth gifts. 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. He that getteth wisdom loveth his own soul: he that keepeth understanding shall find good. A false witness shall not be unpunished, and he that speaketh lies shall perish. Delight is not seemly for a fool; much less for a servant to have rule over princes. The discretion of a man deferreth his anger; and it is his glory to pass over a transgression. The king’s wrath is as the roaring of a lion; but his favour is as dew upon the grass. A foolish son is the calamity of his father: and the contentions of a wife are a continual dropping. House and riches are the inheritance of fathers: and a prudent wife is from the LORD.

1

Better is a poor man who walks in integrity than a fool with perverse lips.

Plain English

Better the poor man who walks in his wholeness, than the one who's twisted in his lips and is a fool.

King James Version, 1611

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

2

It isn't good for the soul to be without knowledge, and whoever rushes with his feet sins.

Plain English

For the soul to be without knowledge isn't good, and the one who hurries with his feet sins.

King James Version, 1611

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

3

A man's foolishness twists his way, and then his heart frets against the LORD.

Plain English

The folly of a man twists his way, and his heart rages against the Lord.

King James Version, 1611

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

4

Wealth attracts many friends, but a poor man is separated even from his neighbour.

Plain English

Wealth makes plenty of mates, but the poor is cut off from his neighbour.

King James Version, 1611

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

5

A false witness won't escape punishment, and whoever speaks lies won't get away.

Plain English

A false witness won't go unpunished, and the one who speaks lies won't get away.

King James Version, 1611

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

6

Many seek the favour of a prince, and everyone is a friend to the man who gives gifts.

Plain English

Plenty will look for the favour of the leader, and every man is a mate to the one who gives gifts.

King James Version, 1611

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

7

All the poor man's brothers hate him; how much more do his friends keep their distance. He pursues them with words, but they're gone.

Plain English

All the brothers of the poor hate him. How much more do his mates go far from him. He chases them with words, but they're gone.

King James Version, 1611

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

Whoever gets wisdom loves his own soul; whoever keeps understanding will find good.

Plain English

The one who gets wisdom loves his own soul. The one who keeps understanding will find good.

King James Version, 1611

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

9

A false witness won't escape punishment, and whoever speaks lies will perish.

Plain English

A false witness won't go unpunished, and the one who speaks lies will be lost.

King James Version, 1611

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

10

Luxury doesn't suit a fool, much less a servant ruling over princes.

Plain English

Living in luxury doesn't suit a fool — much less for a servant to rule over leaders.

King James Version, 1611

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

11

A man's discretion makes him slow to anger, and it is his glory to overlook a wrongdoing.

Plain English

The good sense of a man puts off his anger, and it's his glory to go past a wrong.

King James Version, 1611

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

12

The king's anger is like the roaring of a lion, but his favour is like dew on the grass.

King James Version, 1611

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 calamity, and the contentions of a wife are a continual dripping.

Plain English

A foolish son is the ruin of his father, and the arguing of a wife is a dripping that never stops.

King James Version, 1611

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

14

House and riches are inherited from fathers, but a sensible wife is from the LORD.

Plain English

House and riches come from fathers, but a careful wife is from the Lord.

King James Version, 1611

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

Plenty of plans

Laziness casts a person into a deep sleep, and an idle soul will suffer hunger. Whoever keeps the commandment keeps his own soul; whoever despises his ways will die. Whoever has pity on the poor lends to the LORD, and the LORD will repay what he has given. Discipline your son while there is hope, and don't set your heart on letting him go unchecked. A man of great anger will suffer punishment; if you rescue him, you'll only have to do it again. Listen to counsel and receive instruction, so you'll be wise in the end. There are many plans in a man's heart, but the counsel of the LORD will stand. What is desirable in a man is his kindness, and a poor man is better than a liar. The fear of the LORD leads to life; whoever has it will stay satisfied and won't be visited by evil. A lazy man buries his hand in the dish and can't even be bothered bringing it back to his mouth. Strike a mocker and the simple will beware; correct a person of understanding and he will gain knowledge. Whoever ruins his father and drives away his mother is a son who brings shame and disgrace. My son, stop listening to instruction only to wander from the words of knowledge. An ungodly witness scorns judgment, and the mouth of the wicked devours wrongdoing. Judgments are prepared for mockers, and stripes for the backs of fools.

Being lazy makes deep sleep fall, and an idle soul will go hungry. The one who keeps the order keeps his own soul, but the one who sneers at his ways will die. The one who has pity on the poor lends to the Lord, and he'll pay him back what he's given. Teach your son while there's hope, and don't let your soul spare for his crying. A man of great anger will take the punishment. Because if you rescue him, you'll have to do it again. Listen to counsel and take teaching, so you can be wise at the end. There are plenty of plans in a man's heart, but the counsel of the Lord will stand. What a man wants is kindness, and a poor man is better than a liar. The fear of the Lord leads to life, and the one who has it will stay satisfied. He won't be visited by trouble. A lazy man hides his hand in the dish, and won't so much as bring it to his mouth again. Strike a mocker, and the simple will be careful. And tell off the one who has understanding, and he'll understand knowledge. The one who wastes his father and chases away his mother is a son who brings shame and disgrace. Stop listening to teaching, my son, that makes you go astray from the words of knowledge. An ungodly witness sneers at judgment, and the mouth of the wicked swallows down wrongdoing. Judgments are ready for mockers, and blows for the back of fools.

Slothfulness casteth into a deep sleep; and an idle soul shall suffer hunger. He that keepeth the commandment keepeth his own soul; but he that despiseth his ways shall die. He that hath pity upon the poor lendeth unto the LORD; and that which he hath given will he pay him again. Chasten thy son while there is hope, and let not thy soul spare for his crying. A man of great wrath shall suffer punishment: for if thou deliver him, yet thou must do it again. Hear counsel, and receive instruction, that thou mayest be wise in thy latter end. There are many devices in a man’s heart; nevertheless the counsel of the LORD, that shall stand. The desire of a man is his kindness: and a poor man is better than a liar. The fear of the LORD tendeth to life: and he that hath it shall abide satisfied; he shall not be visited with evil. A slothful man hideth his hand in his bosom, and will not so much as bring it to his mouth again. Smite a scorner, and the simple will beware: and reprove one that hath understanding, and he will understand knowledge. He that wasteth his father, and chaseth away his mother, is a son that causeth shame, and bringeth reproach. Cease, my son, to hear the instruction that causeth to err from the words of knowledge. An ungodly witness scorneth judgment: and the mouth of the wicked devoureth iniquity. Judgments are prepared for scorners, and stripes for the back of fools.

15

Laziness casts a person into a deep sleep, and an idle soul will suffer hunger.

Plain English

Being lazy makes deep sleep fall, and an idle soul will go hungry.

King James Version, 1611

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

16

Whoever keeps the commandment keeps his own soul; whoever despises his ways will die.

Plain English

The one who keeps the order keeps his own soul, but the one who sneers at his ways will die.

King James Version, 1611

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

17

Whoever has pity on the poor lends to the LORD, and the LORD will repay what he has given.

Plain English

The one who has pity on the poor lends to the Lord, and he'll pay him back what he's given.

King James Version, 1611

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 while there is hope, and don't set your heart on letting him go unchecked.

Plain English

Teach your son while there's hope, and don't let your soul spare for his crying.

King James Version, 1611

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

19

A man of great anger will suffer punishment; if you rescue him, you'll only have to do it again.

Plain English

A man of great anger will take the punishment. Because if you rescue him, you'll have to do it again.

King James Version, 1611

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

20

Listen to counsel and receive instruction, so you'll be wise in the end.

Plain English

Listen to counsel and take teaching, so you can be wise at the end.

King James Version, 1611

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

21

There are many plans in a man's heart, but the counsel of the LORD will stand.

Plain English

There are plenty of plans in a man's heart, but the counsel of the Lord will stand.

King James Version, 1611

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

22

What is desirable in a man is his kindness, and a poor man is better than a liar.

Plain English

What a man wants is kindness, and a poor man is better than a liar.

King James Version, 1611

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; whoever has it will stay satisfied and won't be visited by evil.

Plain English

The fear of the Lord leads to life, and the one who has it will stay satisfied. He won't be visited by trouble.

King James Version, 1611

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

24

A lazy man buries his hand in the dish and can't even be bothered bringing it back to his mouth.

Plain English

A lazy man hides his hand in the dish, and won't so much as bring it to his mouth again.

King James Version, 1611

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; correct a person of understanding and he will gain knowledge.

Plain English

Strike a mocker, and the simple will be careful. And tell off the one who has understanding, and he'll understand knowledge.

King James Version, 1611

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

26

Whoever ruins his father and drives away his mother is a son who brings shame and disgrace.

Plain English

The one who wastes his father and chases away his mother is a son who brings shame and disgrace.

King James Version, 1611

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

27

My son, stop listening to instruction only to wander from the words of knowledge.

Plain English

Stop listening to teaching, my son, that makes you go astray from the words of knowledge.

King James Version, 1611

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

28

An ungodly witness scorns judgment, and the mouth of the wicked devours wrongdoing.

Plain English

An ungodly witness sneers at judgment, and the mouth of the wicked swallows down wrongdoing.

King James Version, 1611

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

29

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

Plain English

Judgments are ready for mockers, and blows for the back of fools.

King James Version, 1611

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