Proverbs

19 Better is a poor man walking in his integrity, Than one of perverse lips and he a dullard.

2 Surely for the soul to be without knowledge is not good, And he that hasteth with his feet strayeth.

3 The folly of a man subverteth his way, And against Yahweh his heart is angry.

4 Wealth addeth many friends, But the poor man from his own friend is parted.

5 A false witness shall not be held innocent, And he that uttereth lies shall not escape.

6 Many will entreat the favour of a noble, And every one is a friend to a man abounding in gifts.

7 All the brethren of a poor man hate him, How much more have his friends gone far from him, He may hunt up promises—there are none.

8 He that acquireth sense loveth his own soul, He that guardeth understanding shall find blessing.

9 A false witness shall not be held innocent, And he that uttereth lies shall perish.

10 Unseemly for a dullard is delicate living, How much more for a servant to bear rule over princes.

11 The discretion of a man deferreth his anger, And his adorning is to pass over transgression.

12 The growl as of a young lion is the rage of a king, But like dew upon the grass is his good pleasure.

13 Engulfing ruin to his father is a son that is a dullard,—And a continuous dripping are the contentions of a wife.

14 House and substance are an inheritance from one’s fathers, But from Yahweh cometh a wife who is prudent.

15 Sloth falleth into a deep sleep, And a soul that is indolent shall famish.

16 One who guardeth the commandment guardeth his life, He that is reckless in his ways shall die.

17 A lender to Yahweh is one who sheweth favour to the poor, And his good deed He will pay him back.

18 Correct thy son because there is hope, Yet not so as to slay him let thy passion be excited.

19 A man in a rage taketh away the penalty,—Nevertheless if thou let him go free the more [stripes] must thou add.

20 Hear counsel, receive correction, that thou mayest be wise in thine after-life.

21 Many are the devices in a man’s heart, But the counsel of Yahweh that shall stand.

22 The charm of a man is his lovingkindness,—And better a poor man than one who deceiveth.

23 The reverence of Yahweh leadeth to life, Satisfied then let a man remain—let him not be visited by calamity.

24 A sluggard burieth his hand in the dish, Even unto his own mouth will he not bring it back.

25 The scoffer thou shalt smite and the simple will beware, But correct a man of intelligence—he will understand teaching.

26 He that ruineth his father and chaseth away his mother Is a son causing shame and reproach.

27 Cease, my son, to hear instruction that would cause thee to wander from the sayings of knowledge.

28 An abandoned witness scorneth justice, And the mouth of lawless men swalloweth iniquity.

29 Prepared for scoffers are punishments, And stripes for the back of dullards.