Proverbs 19

The Man of Integrity

¹Better a poor man who walks with integrity

than a fool whose lips are perverse.

²Even zeal is no good without knowledge,

and he who hurries his footsteps misses the mark.

³A man’s own folly subverts his way,

yet his heart rages against the LORD.1

⁴Wealth attracts many friends,

but a poor man is deserted by his friend.

⁵A false witness will not go unpunished,

and one who utters lies will not escape.

⁶Many seek the favor of the prince,

and everyone is a friend of the gift giver.

⁷All the brothers of a poor man hate him—

how much more do his friends avoid him!

He may pursue them with pleading,

but they are nowhere to be found.

⁸He who acquires wisdom loves himself;

one who safeguards understanding will find success.

⁹A false witness will not go unpunished,

and one who pours out lies will perish.

¹⁰Luxury is unseemly for a fool—

how much worse for a slave to rule over princes!

¹¹A man’s insight gives him patience,

and his virtue is to overlook an offense.

¹²A king’s rage is like the roar of a lion,

but his favor is like dew on the grass.1

¹³A foolish son is his father’s ruin,

and a quarrelsome wife is like a constant dripping.

¹⁴Houses and wealth are inherited from fathers,

but a prudent wife is from the LORD.

¹⁵Laziness brings on deep sleep,

and an idle soul will suffer hunger.

¹⁶He who keeps a commandment preserves his soul,

but he who is careless in his ways will die.

¹⁷Kindness to the poor is a loan to the LORD,

and He will repay the lender.2

¹⁸Discipline your son, for in that there is hope;

do not be party to his death.

¹⁹A man of great anger must pay the penalty;

if you rescue him, you will have to do so again.

²⁰Listen to counsel and accept discipline,

that you may be wise the rest of your days.

²¹Many plans are in a man’s heart,

but the purpose of the LORD will prevail.1

²²The desire of a man is loving devotion;

better to be poor than a liar.

²³The fear of the LORD leads to life,

that one may rest content, without visitation from harm.

²⁴The slacker buries his hand in the dish;

he will not even bring it back to his mouth.1

²⁵Strike a mocker, and the simple will beware;

rebuke the discerning man, and he will gain knowledge.

²⁶He who assaults his father or evicts his mother

is a son who brings shame and disgrace.

²⁷If you cease to hear instruction, my son,

you will stray from the words of knowledge.

²⁸A corrupt witness mocks justice,

and a wicked mouth swallows iniquity.

²⁹Judgments are prepared for mockers,

and beatings for the backs of fools.