Proverbs 19
1 Better to be poor but honest than stupid and tell lies.
Better is the poor who walks in his simplicity, than the rich who twists his lips and is unwise.
2 It's not good to be someone who doesn't think. If you rush, things go wrong.
Where there is no knowledge of the soul, there is no good. And whoever hurries with his feet will stumble.
3 People mess up their lives by their own stupidity, and then get angry with the Lord.
The foolishness of a man undermines his steps. And then he seethes in his soul against God.
4 If you're rich, you get a lot of friends, but if you're poor, you lose any friends you had.
Riches add many friends. But from the pauper, even those whom he had become separated.
5 A false witness will be punished; liars won't get away with their lies.
A false witness shall not go unpunished. And whoever speaks lies will not escape.
6 Many ask favors from important people, and everyone's a friend of the generous.
Many honor the character of one who is powerful, and there are friends for a giver of gifts.
7 If a poor man's relatives can't stand him, how much more will his friends avoid him! He tries to talk with them but they don't listen.
The brothers of the poor man hate him. Moreover, even his friends have withdrawn far from him. Whoever pursues only words shall have nothing.
8 If you become wise, you have good self-esteem; if you learn good sense you'll be successful.
But whoever possesses reason loves his own soul. And one who guards prudence shall discover good things.
9 A false witness will be punished; people who tell lies will perish.
A false witness shall not go unpunished. And whoever speaks lies will perish.
10 It's not right for stupid people to live in luxury, and it's even worse for a slave to rule over leaders.
Fine things are not fitting for the foolish, nor is it fitting for a servant to rule over princes.
11 If you have good sense you'll be slow to get angry; you gain respect by forgiving wrongs.
The doctrine of a man is known through patience. And his glory is to pass beyond iniquities.
12 When a king gets angry, he sounds like a roaring lion; but his kindness is as soft as dew on the grass.
Like the roaring of a lion, so also is the wrath of a king. And his cheerfulness is like the dew upon the grass.
13 A stupid son makes his father miserable, and an argumentative wife is like dripping that never stops.
A foolish son is the grief of his father. And an argumentative wife is like a roof that is continually leaking.
14 You inherit a house and wealth from your father, but a sensible wife is a gift from the Lord.
A house and its riches are given by parents. But a prudent wife is particularly from the Lord.
15 Lazy people are often fast asleep, but idleness means they're hungry.
Laziness sends one into a deep sleep, and a dissolute soul will go hungry.
16 Keep the commandments, and you'll live; despise them and you'll die.
Whoever guards a commandment guards his own soul. But whoever neglects his own way will die.
17 If you're kind to the poor, you're lending to the Lord, and he will repay you well for what you've done.
Whoever is merciful to the poor lends to the Lord. And he will repay him for his efforts.
18 Discipline your son while there's still hope, but don't kill him.
Teach your son; do not despair. But do not set your soul toward putting him to death.
19 People who often get angry have to pay the penalty; if you help them, you'll have to do it again.
Whoever is impatient will sustain damage. And when it has been taken away, he will set up another.
20 Listen to advice and accept instruction so that you'll eventually become wise.
Listen to counsel and take up discipline, so that you may be wise in your latter days.
21 Human beings make many plans in their minds, but the final decision is the Lord's.
There are many intentions in the heart of a man. But the will of the Lord shall stand firm.
22 The most desirable thing in anyone is trustworthy love; it is better to be poor than a liar.
An indigent man is merciful. And a pauper is better than a deceitful man.
23 Honoring the Lord is life, and you will rest contentedly, safe from harm.
The fear of the Lord is unto life. And he shall linger in plentitude, without being visited by disaster.
24 Lazy people put their hands in a dish, and won't even lift the food to their mouths.
The lazy conceals his hand under his arm, and he will not so much as bring it to his mouth.
25 If you punish someone who mocks, you may help an immature person to learn. Correct the wise, and they become wiser.
When the pestilent are scourged, the foolish will become wiser. But if you chastise the wise, he will understand discipline.
26 A son who abuses his father and chases away his mother brings shame and disgrace.
Whoever afflicts his father and flees from his mother is disreputable and unhappy.
27 My son, stop listening to my instruction and you'll soon give up following wisdom.
Son, do not cease listening to doctrine, and do not be ignorant of the sermons of knowledge.
28 A crooked witness makes a mockery of justice; and the wicked wolf down evil.
An unjust witness ridicules judgment. And the mouth of the impious devours iniquity.
29 Punishment is ready for those who mock; flogging is ready for the backs of the stupid.
Judgments are prepared for those who ridicule. And striking hammers are prepared for the bodies of the foolish.
