1 Better a poor man whose walk is blameless
than a fool whose lips are perverse. |
2 It is not good to have zeal without knowledge,
nor to be hasty and miss the way. |
3 A man's own folly ruins his life,
yet his heart rages against the LORD . |
4 Wealth brings many friends,
but a poor man's friend deserts him. |
5 A false witness will not go unpunished,
and he who pours out lies will not go free. |
6 Many curry favor with a ruler,
and everyone is the friend of a man who gives gifts. |
7 A poor man is shunned by all his relatives-
how much more do his friends avoid him!
Though he pursues them with pleading,
they are nowhere to be found.1 19:7 The meaning of the Hebrew for this sentence is uncertain. |
8 He who gets wisdom loves his own soul;
he who cherishes understanding prospers. |
9 A false witness will not go unpunished,
and he who pours out lies will perish. |
10 It is not fitting for a fool to live in luxury-
how much worse for a slave to rule over princes! |
11 A man's wisdom gives him patience;
it is to 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. |
13 A foolish son is his father's ruin,
and a quarrelsome wife is like a constant dripping. |
14 Houses and wealth are inherited from parents,
but a prudent wife is from the LORD . |
15 Laziness brings on deep sleep,
and the shiftless man goes hungry. |
16 He who obeys instructions guards his life,
but he who is contemptuous of his ways will die. |
17 He who is kind to the poor lends to the LORD ,
and he will reward him for what he has done. |
18 Discipline your son, for in that there is hope;
do not be a willing party to his death. |
19 A hot-tempered man must pay the penalty;
if you rescue him, you will have to do it again. |
20 Listen to advice and accept instruction,
and in the end you will be wise. |
21 Many are the plans in a man's heart,
but it is the LORD's purpose that prevails. |
22 What a man desires is unfailing love2 19:22 Or A man's greed is his shame ;
better to be poor than a liar. |
23 The fear of the LORD leads to life:
Then one rests content, untouched by trouble. |
24 The sluggard buries his hand in the dish;
he will not even bring it back to his mouth! |
25 Flog a mocker, and the simple will learn prudence;
rebuke a discerning man, 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 Stop listening to instruction, my son,
and you will stray from the words of knowledge. |
28 A corrupt witness mocks at justice,
and the mouth of the wicked gulps down evil. |
29 Penalties are prepared for mockers,
and beatings for the backs of fools. |
