proverbs

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19 
Better a poor man who lives with integrity

than someone who has deceitful lips and is a fool.

2 Even zeal is not good without knowledge,

and the one who acts hastily[a] sins.

3 A man’s own foolishness leads him astray,

yet his heart rages against the Lord.

4 Wealth attracts many friends,

but a poor man is separated from his friend.

5 A false witness will not go unpunished,

and one who utters lies will not escape.

6 Many seek a ruler’s favor,

and everyone is a friend of one who gives gifts.

7 All the brothers of a poor man hate him;

how much more do his friends

keep their distance from him!

He may pursue them with words,

but they are not there.[b]

8 The one who acquires good sense[c] loves himself;

one who safeguards understanding finds success.

9 A false witness will not go unpunished,

and one who utters lies perishes.

10 Luxury is not appropriate for a fool—

how much less for a slave to rule over princes!

11 A person’s insight gives him patience,

and his virtue is to overlook an offense.

12 A king’s rage is like the roaring of a lion,

but his favor is like dew on the grass.

13 A foolish son is his father’s ruin,

and a wife’s nagging is an endless dripping.

14 A house and wealth are inherited from fathers,

but a sensible wife is from the Lord.

15 Laziness induces deep sleep,

and a lazy person will go hungry.

16 The one who keeps commands preserves himself;

one who disregards[d] his ways will die.

17 Kindness to the poor is a loan to the Lord,

and He will give a reward to the lender.[e]

18 Discipline your son while there is hope;

don’t be intent on killing him.[f]

19 A person with great anger bears the penalty;

if you rescue him, you’ll have to do it again.

20 Listen to counsel and receive instruction

so that you may be wise later in life.[g]

21 Many plans are in a man’s heart,

but the Lord’s decree will prevail.

22 What is desirable in a man is his fidelity;

better to be a poor man than a liar.

23 The fear of the Lord leads to life;

one will sleep at night[h] without danger.

24 The slacker buries his hand in the bowl;

he doesn’t even bring it back to his mouth.

25 Strike a mocker, and the inexperienced learn a lesson;

rebuke the discerning, and he gains knowledge.

26 The one who assaults his father and evicts his mother

is a disgraceful and shameful son.

27 If you stop listening to correction, my son,

you will stray from the words of knowledge.

28 A worthless witness mocks justice,

and a wicked mouth swallows iniquity.

29 Judgments are prepared for mockers,

and beatings for the backs of fools.

Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 19:2 Lit who is hasty with feet
  2. Proverbs 19:7 Hb uncertain
  3. Proverbs 19:8 Lit acquires a heart
  4. Proverbs 19:16 Or despises, or treats lightly
  5. Proverbs 19:17 Lit to him
  6. Proverbs 19:18 Lit don’t lift up your soul to his death
  7. Proverbs 19:20 Lit in your end
  8. Proverbs 19:23 Lit will spend the night satisfied