Proverbs

19* Better a poor man leading a conscientious life

than a man of crooked lips, he being a fool.

2* When a soul has not knowledge it is not good either,

and one who is in haste with his feet goes wrong.

3 A man’s ignorance muddles his affairs

and he flies out against Jehovah.

4 Possessions add many friends;

but a poor man is parted from the friend he has.

5 A false witness will not be held guiltless

nor a lie-blower come off scot-free.

6 Many curry favor with a nobleman,

and everybody is friend to a free giver.

7* All a poor man’s brothers hate him;

much more do his friends get far away from him.

One who does much evil will achieve disaster,

and one who rebels against words will not come off safe.

8 One who invests in brains loves his life;

one who takes care for intelligence is going to find good.

9 A false witness will not be held guiltless

and a lie-blower will perish.

10 Luxury is not befitting for a fool;

much less is ruling over generals for a slave.

11* For a man to exercise patience is good business,

and to pass over offenses is an adornment to him.

13 A foolish son is a catastrophe to his father,

and a woman’s wrangles are a steadily dribbling leak in the roof.

14 A house and goods are an inheritance from parents,

but a wife who minds her business is from Jehovah.

15* Laziness throws one into a trance,

and a slacker’s appetite will go hungry.

16* One who keeps a commandment is keeping his life safe,

and one who slights his courses will come to his death.

18 Chastise your son, because there is a hope,

and do not expect to kill him.

19* A man with too hot a temper has to pay the penalty,

for if you interfere you make things still worse.

20 Listen to advice and accept instruction,

in order that you may be wise in future.

21 A man has plenty of ideas in his mind,

but Jehovah’s plan is what stands.

22** A man’s goodwill is his friendliness,

and a poor man is better than a liar.

23* Fearing Jehovah leads to life,

and one passes the night with a full stomach, unvisited by harm.

24 An idler has buried his hand in the dish,

will not even bring it back to his mouth.

26* A worthless and disgraceful son

lays waste his father’s house and makes his mother a fugitive.

27 Beware, my son, of listening to instruction

to err from ways of knowledge.

28* An unscrupulous witness takes a cynic’s view of justice,

and wrong-doers’ mouths stream villainy.

29* Whips are ready for cynics

and poundings for backs of fools.