Proverbs

19 It is better to be poor and walk in integrity+

Than to be stupid and speak lies.+

 2 A person* without knowledge is not good,+

And the one who acts rashly* is sinning.

 3 It is a man’s own foolishness that distorts his way,

And his heart becomes enraged against Jehovah.

 4 Wealth attracts many friends,

But the poor man will be deserted even by his friend.+

 5 A false witness will not go unpunished,+

And the one who lies with every breath will not escape.+

 6 Many seek the favor of a noble,*

And everyone is a friend to the man who gives gifts.

 7 All the brothers of a poor man hate him;+

How much more he is shunned by his friends!+

 9 A false witness will not go unpunished,

And the one who lies with every breath will perish.+

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

How much less for a servant to rule over princes!+

11 The insight of a man certainly slows down his anger,+

And it is beauty on his part to overlook* an offense.*+

12 The king’s rage is like the growling of a lion,*+

But his favor is like dew on the vegetation.

13 A stupid son brings adversity on his father,+

And a quarrelsome* wife is like a roof that never stops leaking.+

14 A house and wealth are inherited from fathers,

But a discreet wife is from Jehovah.+

15 Laziness brings on a deep sleep,

And a sluggish person* will go hungry.+

16 The one who keeps the commandment keeps his life;*+

The one who is reckless about his ways will die.+

17 The one showing favor to the lowly is lending to Jehovah,+

And He will repay* him for what he does.+

18 Discipline your son while there is hope,+

And do not become responsible for* his death.+

19 The hot-tempered man will pay the penalty;

If you try to spare him, you will have to do it again and again.+

20 Listen to counsel and accept discipline,+

In order to become wise in your future.+

21 Many are the plans in a man’s heart,

But the counsel* of Jehovah is what will prevail.+

22 The desirable thing in a man is his loyal love;+

And it is better to be poor than to be a liar.

23 The fear of Jehovah leads to life;+

The one who has it will have a pleasant rest, free from harm.+

24 The lazy one buries his hand in the banquet bowl,

But he does not even bother to bring it back to his mouth.+

25 Strike the ridiculer,+ so that the inexperienced one may become shrewd,+

And reprove the understanding one, so that he will increase in knowledge.+

26 The one who mistreats his father and drives away his mother

Is a son causing shame and disgrace.+

27 My son, if you stop listening to discipline,

You will stray from the sayings of knowledge.

28 A worthless witness mocks justice,+

And the mouth of the wicked gulps down evil.+

29 Judgment is in store for ridiculers,+

And beatings for the back of the stupid ones.+