Proverbs 19

1Better a pauper who lives blamelesslyThan one who speaks perversely and is a dullard.

2A person without knowledge is surely not good;One who moves hurriedly blunders.

3Mortals’ folly subverts their way,And their hearts rage against GOD.

4Wealth makes many friends,But a pauper is left friendless.

5A false witness will not go unpunished;One who testifies lies will not escape.

6Many court the favor of a noble,And all are the friends of a man who dispenses gifts.

7The poor are despised even by their kin;How much more are they shunned by their friends!One who pursues words—they are of no avail.

8Those who acquire wisdom are their own best friend;They preserve understanding and attain happiness.

9A false witness will not go unpunished;One who testifies falsely is doomed.

10Luxury is not fitting for a dullard,Much less that a servant rule over princes.

11People show intelligence by their forbearance;It is their glory when they overlook an offense.

12The rage of a king is like the roar of a lion;His favor is like dew upon the grass.

13A stupid son is a calamity to his father;The nagging of a wife is like the endless dripping of water.

14Property and riches are bequeathed by fathers,But an efficient wife comes from GOD.

15Laziness induces sleep,And a negligent person will go hungry.

16Those who have regard for their lives pay regard to commandments;Those who are heedless of their ways will die.

17Those who are generous to the poor make a loan to GOD—They will receive their due.

18Discipline your son while there is still hope,And do not set your heart on his destruction.

19A hot-tempered man incurs punishment;If you try to save him you will only make it worse.

20Listen to advice and accept disciplineIn order that you may be wise in the end.

21Many designs are in a person’s mind,But it is GOD’s plan that is accomplished.

22Greed is a reproach to a man; Better be poor than a deceitful man.

23One who fears GOD earns life,And shall abide in contentment, Free from misfortune.

24A sluggard buries a hand in the bowl,And will not even bring it to the mouth.

25Beat scoffers and the simple will become clever;Reprove the intelligent and they gain knowledge.

26A son who causes shame and disgracePlunders his father, puts his mother to flight.

27My son, cease to stray from words of knowledgeAnd receive discipline.

28A malicious witness scoffs at justice,And the speech of the wicked conceals mischief.

29Punishments are in store for scoffersAnd blows for the backs of dullards.