Proverbs 19:1-29
19 It is better to be poor and walk in integrity+Than to be stupid and speak lies.+
2 A person* without knowledge is not good,+And the one who acts rashly* is sinning.
3 It is a man’s own foolishness that distorts his way,And his heart becomes enraged against Jehovah.
4 Wealth attracts many friends,But the poor man will be deserted even by his friend.+
5 A false witness will not go unpunished,+And the one who lies with every breath will not escape.+
6 Many seek the favor of a noble,*And everyone is a friend to the man who gives gifts.
7 All the brothers of a poor man hate him;+How much more he is shunned by his friends!+
He pursues them with requests, but no one responds.
8 Whoever acquires good sense* loves himself.*+
Whoever treasures discernment will find success.*+
9 A false witness will not go unpunished,And the one who lies with every breath will perish.+
10 It is not fitting for a fool to live in luxury;How much less for a servant to rule over princes!+
11 The insight of a man certainly slows down his anger,+And it is beauty on his part to overlook* an offense.*+
12 The king’s rage is like the growling of a lion,*+But his favor is like dew on the vegetation.
13 A stupid son brings adversity on his father,+And a quarrelsome* wife is like a roof that never stops leaking.+
14 A house and wealth are inherited from fathers,But a discreet wife is from Jehovah.+
15 Laziness brings on a deep sleep,And a sluggish person* will go hungry.+
16 The one who keeps the commandment keeps his life;*+The one who is reckless about his ways will die.+
17 The one showing favor to the lowly is lending to Jehovah,+And He will repay* him for what he does.+
18 Discipline your son while there is hope,+And do not become responsible for* his death.+
19 The hot-tempered man will pay the penalty;If you try to spare him, you will have to do it again and again.+
20 Listen to counsel and accept discipline,+In order to become wise in your future.+
21 Many are the plans in a man’s heart,But the counsel* of Jehovah is what will prevail.+
22 The desirable thing in a man is his loyal love;+And it is better to be poor than to be a liar.
23 The fear of Jehovah leads to life;+The one who has it will have a pleasant rest, free from harm.+
24 The lazy one buries his hand in the banquet bowl,But he does not even bother to bring it back to his mouth.+
25 Strike the ridiculer,+ so that the inexperienced one may become shrewd,+And reprove the understanding one, so that he will increase in knowledge.+
26 The one who mistreats his father and drives away his motherIs a son causing shame and disgrace.+
27 My son, if you stop listening to discipline,You will stray from the sayings of knowledge.
28 A worthless witness mocks justice,+And the mouth of the wicked gulps down evil.+
29 Judgment is in store for ridiculers,+And beatings for the back of the stupid ones.+
Footnotes
^ Or “soul.”
^ Lit., “hastens with his feet.”
^ Or “generous man.”
^ Or “his soul.”
^ Lit., “good.”
^ Lit., “acquires heart.”
^ Lit., “pass over.”
^ Or “a transgression.”
^ Or “a maned young lion.”
^ Or “nagging.”
^ Or “soul.”
^ Or “soul.”
^ Or “reward.”
^ Or “desire.” Lit., “raise your soul to.”
^ Or “purpose.”