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19 Better to be poor and honest than rich[a] and dishonest.

It is dangerous and sinful to rush into the unknown.

A man may ruin his chances by his own foolishness and then blame it on the Lord!

A wealthy man has many “friends”; the poor man has none left.

Punish false witnesses. Track down liars.

Many beg favors from a man who is generous; everyone is his friend!

A poor man’s own brothers turn away from him in embarrassment;[b] how much more his friends! He calls after them, but they are gone.

He who loves wisdom loves his own best interest and will be a success.

A false witness shall be punished, and a liar shall be caught.

10 It doesn’t seem right for a fool to succeed or for a slave to rule over princes!

11 A wise man restrains his anger and overlooks insults. This is to his credit.

12 The king’s anger is as dangerous as a lion’s. But his approval is as refreshing as the dew on grass.

13 A rebellious son is a calamity to his father, and a nagging wife annoys like constant dripping.

14 A father can give his sons homes and riches, but only the Lord can give them understanding wives.

15 A lazy man sleeps soundly—and he goes hungry!

16 Keep the commandments and keep your life; despising them means death.

17 When you help the poor you are lending to the Lord—and he pays wonderful interest on your loan!

18 Discipline your son in his early years while there is hope. If you don’t, you will ruin his life.

19 A short-tempered man must bear his own penalty; you can’t do much to help him. If you try once, you must try a dozen times!

20 Get all the advice you can and be wise the rest of your life.

21 Man proposes, but God disposes.

22 Kindness makes a man attractive. And it is better to be poor than dishonest.

23 Reverence for God gives life, happiness, and protection from harm.

24 Some men are so lazy they won’t even feed themselves!

25 Punish a mocker and others will learn from his example. Reprove a wise man, and he will be the wiser.

26 A son who mistreats his father or mother is a public disgrace.

27 Stop listening to teaching that contradicts what you know is right.

28 A worthless witness cares nothing for truth—he enjoys his sinning too much.

29 Mockers and rebels shall be severely punished.

Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 19:1 rich, literally, “a fool.”
  2. Proverbs 19:7 turn away from him in embarrassment, literally, “despise him.”

19 Better the poor whose walk is blameless
    than a fool whose lips are perverse.(A)

Desire without knowledge is not good—
    how much more will hasty feet miss the way!(B)

A person’s own folly(C) leads to their ruin,
    yet their heart rages against the Lord.(D)

Wealth attracts many friends,
    but even the closest friend of the poor person deserts them.(E)

A false witness(F) will not go unpunished,(G)
    and whoever pours out lies will not go free.(H)

Many curry favor with a ruler,(I)
    and everyone is the friend of one who gives gifts.(J)

The poor are shunned by all their relatives—
    how much more do their friends avoid them!(K)
Though the poor pursue them with pleading,
    they are nowhere to be found.[a](L)

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

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

10 It is not fitting for a fool(O) to live in luxury—
    how much worse for a slave to rule over princes!(P)

11 A person’s wisdom yields patience;(Q)
    it is to one’s glory to overlook an offense.

12 A king’s rage is like the roar of a lion,(R)
    but his favor is like dew(S) on the grass.(T)

13 A foolish child is a father’s ruin,(U)
    and a quarrelsome wife is like
    the constant dripping of a leaky roof.(V)

14 Houses and wealth are inherited from parents,(W)
    but a prudent wife is from the Lord.(X)

15 Laziness brings on deep sleep,
    and the shiftless go hungry.(Y)

16 Whoever keeps commandments keeps their life,
    but whoever shows contempt for their ways will die.(Z)

17 Whoever is kind to the poor lends to the Lord,(AA)
    and he will reward them for what they have done.(AB)

18 Discipline your children, for in that there is hope;
    do not be a willing party to their death.(AC)

19 A hot-tempered person must pay the penalty;
    rescue them, and you will have to do it again.

20 Listen to advice and accept discipline,(AD)
    and at the end you will be counted among the wise.(AE)

21 Many are the plans in a person’s heart,
    but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails.(AF)

22 What a person desires is unfailing love[b];
    better to be poor than a liar.

23 The fear of the Lord leads to life;
    then one rests content, untouched by trouble.(AG)

24 A sluggard buries his hand in the dish;
    he will not even bring it back to his mouth!(AH)

25 Flog a mocker, and the simple will learn prudence;
    rebuke the discerning,(AI) and they will gain knowledge.(AJ)

26 Whoever robs their father and drives out their mother(AK)
    is a child who brings shame and disgrace.

27 Stop listening to instruction, my son,(AL)
    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.(AM)

29 Penalties are prepared for mockers,
    and beatings for the backs of fools.(AN)

Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 19:7 The meaning of the Hebrew for this sentence is uncertain.
  2. Proverbs 19:22 Or Greed is a person’s shame