Proverbs 19

On Life and Conduct

11Better is a poor man who 2walks in his integrity Than he who is perverse in 3speech and is a fool.2Also it is not good for a person to be without knowledge, And he who hurries 45his footsteps 6errs.3The 7foolishness of man ruins his way, And his heart 8rages against the Lord.49Wealth adds many friends, But a poor man is separated from his friend.5A 10false witness will not go unpunished, And he who 1112tells lies will not escape.613Many will seek the favor of a 14generous man, And every man is a friend to him who 15gives gifts.7All the brothers of a poor man hate him; How much more do his 16friends abandon him! He 17pursues them with words, but they are 18gone.8He who gets 19wisdom loves his own soul; He who keeps understanding will 20find good.9A 21false witness will not go unpunished, And he who 22tells lies will perish.10Luxury is 23not fitting for a fool; Much less for a 24slave to rule over princes.11A man’s 25discretion makes him slow to anger, And it is his glory 26to overlook a transgression.12The 27king’s wrath is like the roaring of a lion, But his favor is like 28dew on the grass.13A 29foolish son is destruction to his father, And the 30contentions of a wife are a constant dripping.14House and wealth are an 31inheritance from fathers, But a prudent wife is from the Lord.1532Laziness casts into a deep sleep, And an idle 33man will suffer hunger.16He who 34keeps the commandment keeps his soul, But he who 35is careless of 36conduct will die.17One who 37is gracious to a poor man lends to the Lord, And He will repay him for his 3839good deed.1840Discipline your son while there is hope, And do not desire 41his death.19A man of great anger will bear the penalty, For if you rescue him, you will only have to do it again.2042Listen to counsel and accept discipline, That you may be wise 43the rest of your days.21Many 44plans are in a man’s heart, But the 45counsel of the Lord will stand.22What is desirable in a man is his 46kindness, And it is better to be a poor man than a liar.23The 4748fear of the Lord leads to life, So that one may sleep 49satisfied, 5051untouched by evil.24The 52sluggard buries his hand 53in the dish, But will not even bring it back to his mouth.2554Strike a scoffer and the 55naive may become shrewd, But 56reprove one who has understanding and he will 57gain knowledge.26He 58who assaults his father and drives his mother away Is a shameful and disgraceful son.27Cease listening, my son, to discipline, And you will stray from the words of knowledge.28A rascally witness makes a mockery of justice, And the mouth of the wicked 5960spreads iniquity.2961Judgments are prepared for 62scoffers, And 63blows for the back of fools.