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Proverbs 19

Better to be poor and walk in integrity than to be a perverse fool. Listen to advice; at the end you will be counted among the wise. The Lord's purpose prevails.

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Solomonic proverbs

Better the poor whose walk is blameless than a fool whose lips are perverse. Desire without knowledge is not good — how much more will hasty feet miss the way. A person's own folly leads to their ruin, yet their heart rages against the Lord. Wealth attracts many friends, but even the closest friend of the poor deserts them. A false witness will not go unpunished, and whoever pours out lies will not go free. Many curry favour with a ruler, and everyone is the friend of one who gives gifts. The poor are shunned by all their relatives — how much more do their friends avoid them. Though the poor pursue them with pleading, they are nowhere to be found. The one who gets wisdom loves life; the one who cherishes understanding will soon prosper. A false witness will not go unpunished, and whoever pours out lies will perish. It is not fitting for a fool to live in luxury — how much worse for a slave to rule over princes. A person's wisdom yields patience; it is to one's glory to overlook an offence. A king's rage is like the roar of a lion, but his favour is like dew on the grass. A foolish child is a father's ruin, and a quarrelsome wife is like the constant dripping of a leaky roof. Houses and wealth are inherited from parents, but a prudent wife is from the Lord. Laziness brings on deep sleep, and the shiftless go hungry. Whoever keeps commandments keeps their life, but whoever shows contempt for their ways will die. Whoever is kind to the poor lends to the Lord, and he will reward them for what they have done. Discipline your children, for in that there is hope; do not be a willing party to their death. A hot-tempered person must pay the penalty; rescue them, and you will have to do it again. Listen to advice and accept discipline, and at the end you will be counted among the wise. Many are the plans in a person's heart, but it is the Lord's purpose that prevails. What a person desires is unfailing love; better to be poor than a liar. The fear of the Lord leads to life; then one rests content, untouched by trouble. A sluggard buries his hand in the dish; he will not even bring it back to his mouth. Flog a mocker, and the simple will learn prudence; rebuke the discerning, and they will gain knowledge. Whoever robs their father and drives out their mother is a child who brings shame and disgrace. Stop listening to instruction, my son, and you will stray from the words of knowledge. A corrupt witness mocks at justice, and the mouth of the wicked gulps down evil. Penalties are prepared for mockers, and beatings for the backs of fools.

1

Better the poor whose walk is blameless than a fool whose lips are perverse.

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

Desire without knowledge is not good — how much more will hasty feet miss the way.

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 person's own folly leads to their ruin, yet their 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 even the closest friend of the poor deserts them.

King James Version, 1611

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

5

A false witness will not go unpunished, and whoever pours out lies will not go free.

King James Version, 1611

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

6

Many curry favour with a ruler, and everyone is the friend of 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

The poor are shunned by all their relatives — how much more do their friends avoid them. Though the poor pursue them with pleading, they are nowhere to be found.

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

The one who gets wisdom loves life; the one who cherishes understanding will soon prosper.

King James Version, 1611

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

9

A false witness will not go unpunished, and whoever pours out lies will perish.

King James Version, 1611

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

10

It is not fitting for a fool to live in luxury — how much worse for a slave to rule over princes.

King James Version, 1611

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

11

A person's wisdom yields patience; it is to one's glory to overlook an offence.

King James Version, 1611

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 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 child is a father's ruin, and a quarrelsome wife is like the constant dripping of a leaky roof.

King James Version, 1611

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 parents, but a prudent 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.

15

Laziness brings on deep sleep, and the shiftless go hungry.

King James Version, 1611

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

16

Whoever keeps commandments keeps their life, but whoever shows contempt for their 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 is kind to the poor lends to the Lord, and he will reward them for what they have done.

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 children, for in that there is hope; do not be a willing party to their death.

King James Version, 1611

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

19

A hot-tempered person must pay the penalty; rescue them, and you will 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 advice and accept discipline, and at the end you will be counted among the wise.

King James Version, 1611

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

21

Many are the plans in a person's heart, but it is the Lord's purpose that prevails.

King James Version, 1611

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

22

What a person desires is unfailing love; better to be poor 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; then one rests content, untouched 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 sluggard buries his hand in the dish; he will not even bring it back to his mouth.

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

Flog a mocker, and the simple will learn prudence; rebuke the discerning, and they will gain 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 robs their father and drives out their mother is a child 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

Stop listening to instruction, my son, and you will stray 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

A corrupt witness mocks at justice, and the mouth of the wicked gulps down evil.

King James Version, 1611

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

29

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

King James Version, 1611

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