Proverbs 19

1Better a poor man who walks in his integrity than one perverse in his lips who is a fool.

2Even desire without knowledge is not good, and whoever hastens with his feet sins.

3A man's folly twists his path, and his heart rages against Yahweh.

4Riches make friends abound, but the poor is separated from his friend.

5A false witness will not be cleared, nor will one who breathes out lies escape.

6Many seek a noble's favor, and everyone is a friend to a man who gives gifts.

7All a poor man's brothers hate him—how much more do his friends stay far from him! He pursues them with words, yet they are not there for him.

8Whoever gains sense loves his own life; whoever guards understanding finds good.

9A false witness will not go free, and whoever breathes lies will perish.

10Delight does not befit a fool, much less rule over princes for a servant.

11A man's discretion makes him slow to anger, and it is his glory to overlook a transgression.

12A king's wrath is like a lion's roaring, but his favor like dew on the grass.

13A foolish son is calamity to his father, and a wife's quarrels a constant drip.

14Household and riches are fathers' inheritance, but an instructed woman is from Yahweh.

15Slothfulness casts into deep sleep, and a slack soul hungers.

16Whoever guards the commandment guards his life, but whoever scorns his ways dies.

17One who shows favor to the poor lends to Yahweh, and he will repay his recompense to him.

18Chasten your son while there is hope, and do not lift your soul to his death.

19A man of great anger bears punishment, because if you rescue him, you will have to do it again.

20Listen to advice and accept discipline, so you become wise in your latter days.

21Many plans fill a man's heart, but Yahweh's counsel will stand.

22A man's kindness is desirable; a poor man is better than a liar.

23The fear of Yahweh leads to life, and he dwells satisfied; he is not visited with evil.

24The sluggard hides his hand in the dish, and even to his mouth he does not bring it back.

25Strike a mocker, and the naive will become shrewd; rebuke the discerning, and he will understand knowledge.

26Whoever plunders his father and drives his mother away is a son who causes shame and disgrace.

27My son, cease heeding instruction that leads to straying from words of knowledge.

28A worthless witness scorns justice, and the mouth of the wicked devours iniquity.

29Judgments are prepared for scoffers, and beatings for the backs of fools.