Proverbs 19

1Better is the poor that walketh in his integrity

Than he that perverse in his lips and is a fool.

2Also, that the soul be without knowledge is not good;

And he that hasteth with his feet sinneth.

3The foolishness of man subverteth his way;

And his heart fretteth against the LORD .

4Wealth addeth many friends:

But the poor is separated from his friend.

5A false witness shall not be unpunished;

And he that uttereth lies shall not escape.

6Many will entreat the favour of the liberal man:

And every man is a friend to him that giveth gifts.

7All the brethren of the poor do hate him:

How much more do his friends go far from him!

He pursueth them with words, but they are gone.

8He that getteth wisdom loveth his own soul:

He that keepeth understanding shall find good.

9A false witness shall not be unpunished;

And he that uttereth lies shall perish.

10Delicate living is not seemly for a fool;

Much less for a servant to have rule over princes.

11The discretion of a man maketh him slow to anger;

And it is his glory to pass over a transgression.

12The king's wrath is as the roaring of a lion;

But his favour is as dew upon the grass.

13A foolish son is the calamity of his father:

And the contentions of a wife are a continual dropping.

14House and riches are an inheritance from fathers:

But a prudent wife is from the LORD .

15Slothfulness casteth into a deep sleep;

And the idle soul shall suffer hunger.

16He that keepeth the commandment keepeth his soul:

But he that is careless of his ways shall die.

17He that hath pity upon the poor lendeth unto the LORD ,

And his good deed will he pay him again.

18Chasten thy son, seeing there is hope;

And set not thy heart on his destruction.

19A man of great wrath shall bear the penalty:

For if thou deliver him , thou must do it yet again.

20Hear counsel, and receive instruction,

That thou mayest be wise in thy latter end.

21There are many devices in a man's heart;

But the counsel of the LORD , that shall stand.

22The desire of a man is the measure of his kindness:

And a poor man is better than a liar.

23The fear of the LORD tendeth to life:

And he that hath it shall abide satisfied;

He shall not be visited with evil.

24The sluggard burieth his hand in the dish,

And will not so much as bring it to his mouth again.

25Smite a scorner, and the simple will learn prudence:

And reprove one that hath understanding, and he will understand knowledge.

26He that spoileth his father, and chaseth away his mother,

Is a son that causeth shame and bringeth reproach.

27Cease, my son, to hear instruction

Only to err from the words of knowledge.

28A worthless witness mocketh at judgement:

And the mouth of the wicked swalloweth iniquity.

29Judgments are prepared for scorners,

And stripes for the back of fools.

maintained by the British and Foreign Bible Society
Published by: British & Foreign Bible Society