Proverbs, 19

1. Better [is] the poor that walketh in his integrity, than [he that is] perverse in his lips, and is a fool.

1. Better the poor man who lives honestly than the fool who lies.

2. Also, [that] the soul [be] without knowledge, [it is] not good; and he that hasteth with [his] feet sinneth.

2. It is bad for men not to reflect, and acting too quickly can lead one astray.

3. The foolishness of man perverteth his way: and his heart fretteth against the LORD.

3. A man spoils his chances through his own stupidity but it is against Yahweh that his heart rages.

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

4. Wealth multiplies friends, but the poor man is deprived of his only friend.

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

5. The false witness will not go unpunished, the liar will not escape.

6. Many will intreat the favour of the prince: and every man [is] a friend to him that giveth gifts.

6. Many are the flatterers of the noble man, the whole world is a friend to the rich man.

7. 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].

7. A poor man is hated by all his brothers, and even more so do his friends desert him. He searches for someone to talk to but finds no one.

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

8. He who acquires wisdom loves himself, he who respects knowledge will be happy.

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

9. The false witness will not go unpunished, the liar will perish.

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

10. It is not good that a fool live luxuriously, still less that a slave command princes.

11. The discretion of a man deferreth his anger; and [it is] his glory to pass over a transgression.

11. A clever man is slow to anger; his glory lies in forgetting offenses.

12. The king's wrath [is] as the roaring of a lion; but his favour [is] as dew upon the grass.

12. The angry king is like a roaring lion but his favor is like the dew on the grass.

13. A foolish son [is] the calamity of his father: and the contentions of a wife [are] a continual dropping.

13. The foolish son is the ruination of his father; the nagging wife is like a dripping gutter.

14. House and riches [are] the inheritance of fathers: and a prudent wife [is] from the LORD.

14. House and wealth are inherited from a father but a sensible wife is a gift from Yahweh.

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

15. Laziness makes a man fall asleep, the idler will go hungry.

16. He that keepeth the commandment keepeth his own soul; [but] he that despiseth his ways shall die.

16. He who keeps the commandment keeps his life; he who despises it dies.

17. He that hath pity upon the poor lendeth unto the LORD; and that which he hath given will he pay him again.

17. He who shows compassion to the poor lends to Yahweh, who will repay his good deed.

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

18. Correct your son as long as there is hope, lest you be responsible for his death.

19. A man of great wrath shall suffer punishment: for if thou deliver [him], yet thou must do it again.

19. The violent man leaves himself open to a fine; if you spare him he will continue.

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

20. Listen to counsel and accept correction, and you will be wise in the end.

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

21. Plans abound in the human heart but only Yahweh's purpose will be realized.

22. The desire of a man [is] his kindness: and a poor man [is] better than a liar.

22. Goodness is attractive in a person; better a poor man than a liar.

23. The fear of the LORD [tendeth] to life: and [he that hath it] shall abide satisfied; he shall not be visited with evil.

23. Love of Yahweh leads you to life; you will have your fill and live without fear.

24. A slothful [man] hideth his hand in [his] bosom, and will not so much as bring it to his mouth again.

24. The lazy man dips his hand in the dish but he cannot even lift it to his mouth.

25. Smite a scorner, and the simple will beware: and reprove one that hath understanding, [and] he will understand knowledge.

25. Punish the mocker and the ignorant will be more careful; rebuke a discerning man and he will listen to reason.

26. He that wasteth [his] father, [and] chaseth away [his] mother, [is] a son that causeth shame, and bringeth reproach.

26. He who dispossesses his father and evicts his mother is a shameful and degenerate son.

27. Cease, my son, to hear the instruction [that causeth] to err from the words of knowledge.

27. My son, listen to instruction and stop straying from the words of wisdom.

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

28. An unworthy witness makes a mockery of justice; the mouth of the wicked feeds on evil.

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

29. Punishments were made for mockers and blows, for the backs of fools.