CHAPTER 19
1Better a poor man walking in his innocence,
than a man twisted in speech who is a fool.
2It is surely not good to lack knowledge,
and who hurries with his feet offends.
3A man’s folly perverts his way,
and his heart rages against the LORD.
4Wealth will give one many friends,
but the poor is parted from his friend.
5A false witness will not go scot-free,
and a lying deposer will not escape.
6Many court the favor of a nobleman,
and all are friends to a man with gifts.
7All a poor man’s brothers despise him,
even more, his friends draw back from him.
[They are not pursuers of sayings.]
8Who acquires good sense cares for himself,
who guards discernment will find good.
9A false witness will not go scot-free,
and a lying deposer will perish.
10Unfit for the fool is pleasure,
even more, for a slave to rule princes.
11A man’s insight gives him patience,
and his glory, to overlook a fault.
12A roar like a lion’s, the wrath of a king,
but like dew on the grass his favor.
13Disaster to his father, a foolish son,
and a maddening drip, a nagging wife.
14House and wealth are deeded by parents,
but a clever wife is from the LORD.
15Sloth induces slumber,
and a shiftless person will go hungry.
16Who keeps a command keeps his own life,
who scorns his own ways will die.
17Who pities the poor makes a loan to the LORD,
and his reward He will pay back to him.
18Reprove your son while there is hope,
and to his moaning pay no heed.
19A very hotheaded man bears punishment,
try to save him—you will make things worse.
20Heed counsel and take reproof,
that you get wisdom in the end.
21Many are the plans in the heart of a man,
but it’s the LORD’s counsel that is fulfilled.
22A man’s desire is his own lack,
and better a poor man than a liar.
23Fear of the LORD is for life,
and one rests sated, untouched by harm.
24The sluggard hides his hand in the dish,
he won’t even bring it up to his mouth.
25Beat the scoffer and the dupe becomes shrewd,
rebuke the discerning and he gains knowledge.
26Despoiling a father,
putting a mother to flight, is the shaming disgraceful son.
27A son ceases to heed reproof,
28A worthless witness scoffs justice,
and the mouth of the wicked swallows crime.
29Retribution is readied for scoffers,
and blows for the backs of fools.