Proverbs 19

1Better a poor person who walks in integrity than someone with crooked lips who is a fool.

2Desire without knowledge is not good, and whoever hurries with his feet misses the way.

3A person’s own folly ruins his way, yet his heart rages against Yahweh.

4Wealth adds many friends, but the poor person is deserted by his friend.

5A false witness will not go unpunished, and whoever breathes out lies will not escape.

6Many seek the favor of a generous person, and everyone is a friend to one who gives gifts.

7All the relatives of a poor person hate him—how much more do his friends keep far from him! He chases after them with pleading words, but words are all he has.

8Whoever gains sense loves his own life; whoever holds on to understanding will find good.

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

10Luxury does not suit a fool; still less is it fitting for a slave to rule over princes.

11A person’s good sense makes him slow to anger, and it is his glory to overlook an offense.

12A king’s rage is like the roar of a lion, but his favor is like dew on the grass.

13A foolish son is ruin to his father, and a wife’s quarreling is a constant dripping.

14House and wealth are inherited from fathers, but a prudent wife is from Yahweh.

15Laziness casts one into a deep sleep, and an idle person will go hungry.

16Whoever keeps the commandment keeps his life; whoever despises his ways will die.

17Whoever is kind to the poor lends to Yahweh, and he will repay him for what he has done.

18Discipline your son while there is hope, and do not set your heart on his death.

19A person with a violent temper must pay the penalty; if you rescue him, you will only have to do it again.

20Listen to advice and accept discipline, so that you may be wise in the end.

21Many plans are in a person’s heart, but it is the purpose of Yahweh that will stand.

22What is desired in a person is loyalty, and a poor person is better than a liar.

23The fear of Yahweh leads to life; one who has it rests satisfied and will not be visited by harm.

24The lazy person buries his hand in the dish and will not even bring it back to his mouth.

25Strike a mocker, and the simple will learn shrewdness; correct a discerning person, and he will gain knowledge.

26Whoever assaults his father and drives away his mother is a son who brings shame and disgrace.

27Stop listening to instruction, my son, and you will stray from the words of knowledge.

28A worthless witness mocks justice, and the mouth of the wicked gulps down wrongdoing.

29Judgments are ready for mockers, and beatings for the backs of fools.