19

  1Better is the poor who walks in his integrity
   Than one who is perverse in his lips, and is a fool.
  2Also it is not good for a soul to be without knowledge,
   And he sins who hastens with his feet.
  3The foolishness of a man twists his way,
   And his heart frets against the Lord.
  4Wealth makes many friends,
   But the poor is separated from his friend.
  5A false witness will not go unpunished,
   And he who speaks lies will not escape.
  6Many entreat the favor of the nobility,
   And every man is a friend to one who gives gifts.
   7All the brothers of the poor hate him;
   How much more do his friends go far from him!
   He may pursue them with words, yet they abandon him.
  8He who gets wisdom loves his own soul;
   He who keeps understanding will find good.
  9A false witness will not go unpunished,
   And he who speaks lies shall perish.
  10Luxury is not fitting for a fool,
   Much less for a servant to rule over princes.
  11The discretion of a man makes him slow to anger,
   And his glory is to overlook a transgression.
  12The king’s wrath is like the roaring of a lion,
   But his favor islike dew on the grass.
  13A foolish son is the ruin of his father,
   And the contentions of a wife are a continual dripping.
  14Houses and riches are an inheritance from fathers,
   But a prudent wife is from the Lord.
  15Laziness casts one into a deep sleep,
   And an idle person will suffer hunger.
  16He who keeps the commandment keeps his soul,
   But he who is careless of his ways will die.
  17He who has pity on the poor lends to the Lord,
   And He will pay back what he has given.
  18Chasten your son while there is hope,
   And do not set your heart on his destruction.
  19A man of great wrath will suffer punishment;
   For if you rescue him, you will have to do it again.
  20Listen to counsel and receive instruction,
   That you may be wise in your latter days.
  21There are many plans in a man’s heart,
   Nevertheless the Lord’s counsel—that will stand.
  22What is desired in a man is kindness,
   And a poor man is better than a liar.
  23The fear of the Lordleads to life,
   And he who has it will abide in satisfaction;
   He will not be visited with evil.
  24A lazy man buries his hand in the bowl,
   And will not so much as bring it to his mouth again.
  25Strike a scoffer, and the simple will become wary;
   Rebuke one who has understanding, and he will discern knowledge.
  26He who mistreats his father and chases away his mother
   Isa son who causes shame and brings reproach.
  27Cease listening to instruction, my son,
   And you will stray from the words of knowledge.
  28A disreputable witness scorns justice,
   And the mouth of the wicked devours iniquity.
  29Judgments are prepared for scoffers,
   And beatings for the backs of fools.