Proverbs 19

1Better is a poor person who walks in his integrity

than one who is perverse in speech and is a fool.

2Also, it is not good to have desire without knowledge

and the one who runs too fast misses the path.

3A person's folly ruins his life

and his heart rages against Yahweh.

4Wealth adds many friends,

but a poor person is separated from his friends.

5A false witness will not go unpunished

and he who breathes out lies will not escape.

6Many will ask for a favor from a generous person

and everyone is a friend of the one who gives gifts.

7All the brothers of a poor man hate him;

how much more do his friends who go far away from him!

He calls out to them, but they are gone.

8He who gets wisdom loves his own life;

he who keeps understanding will find what is good.

9A false witness will not go unpunished,

but the one who breathes out lies will perish.

10It is not fitting for a fool to live in luxury—

much less for a slave to rule over princes.

11Discretion makes a person slow to anger

and it is his glory to overlook an offense.

12The wrath of the king is like the roaring of a young lion,

but his favor is like dew on the grass.

13A foolish son is ruin to his father

and a quarreling wife is a constant dripping of water.

14A house and wealth are inherited from parents,

but a prudent wife is from Yahweh.

15Laziness throws a person into a deep sleep,

but the one not willing to work will go hungry.

16The one who obeys the command guards his life,

but the person who does not think about 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 desire on putting him to death.

19A hot-tempered person must pay the penalty;

if you rescue him, you will have to do it a second time.

20Listen to advice and accept instruction,

so you may become wise by the end of your life.

21Many are the plans in a person's heart,

but it is the purpose of Yahweh that will stand.

22Loyalty is what a person desires

and a poor person is better than a liar.

23Honor for Yahweh leads people to life;

anyone who has it will be satisfied

and not afflicted by harm.

24The sluggard buries his hand in the dish;

he will not even bring it back up to his mouth.

25Strike a mocker, and the naive person will become prudent;

discipline one who is discerning, and he will gain knowledge.

26The one who robs his father and chases his mother away

is a son who brings shame and reproach.

27If you cease to hear instruction, my son,

you will stray from the words of knowledge.

28A corrupt witness mocks justice

and the mouth of the wicked swallows iniquity.

29Condemnation is ready for mockers

and flogging for the backs of fools.