Proverbs 19

¹ Better is a poor man who walks in his integrity
than one who is crooked in speech and is a fool.

² Desire without knowledge is not good,
and whoever makes haste with his feet misses his way.

³ When a man's folly brings his way to ruin,
his heart rages against the LORD.

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

⁵ A false witness will not go unpunished,
and he who breathes out lies will not escape.

⁶ Many seek the favor of a generous man,
and everyone is a friend to a man who gives gifts.

⁷ All a poor man's brothers hate him;
how much more do his friends go far from him!
He pursues them with words, but they are gone.

⁸ Whoever acquires sense loves himself;
he who keeps understanding will find good.

⁹ A false witness will not go unpunished,
and he who breathes out lies will perish.

¹⁰ It is not fitting for a fool to live in luxury,
much less for a slave to rule over princes.

¹¹ Good sense makes one slow to anger,
and it is his glory to overlook an offense.

¹² A king's wrath is like the growling of a lion,
but his favor is like dew on the grass.

¹³ A foolish son is ruin to his father,
and a wife's quarreling is a continual dripping.

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

¹⁵ Slothfulness casts into a deep sleep,
and an idle person will suffer hunger.

¹⁶ Whoever keeps the commandment keeps his life;
he who despises his ways will die.

¹⁷ Whoever is generous to the poor lends to the LORD,
and he will repay him for his deed.

¹⁸ Discipline your son, for there is hope;
do not set your heart on putting him to death.

¹⁹ A man of great wrath will pay the penalty,
for if you deliver him, you will only have to do it again.

²⁰ Listen to counsel and accept instruction,
so that in the end you may be wise.

²¹ Many are the plans in the mind of a man,
but it is the purpose of the LORD that will stand.

²² What is desired in a man is steadfast love,
and a poor man is better than a liar.

²³ The fear of the LORD leads to life,
and whoever has it rests satisfied;
he will not be visited by harm.

²⁴ The sluggard buries his hand in the dish
and will not even bring it back to his mouth.

²⁵ Strike a scoffer, and the simple will learn prudence;
reprove a man of understanding, and he will gain knowledge.

²⁶ He who robs his father and drives out his mother
is a son who brings shame and disgrace.

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

²⁸ A worthless witness mocks at justice,
and the mouth of the wicked devours iniquity.

²⁹ Condemnation is ready for scoffers,
and beating for the backs of fools.