Proverbs

The Man of Integrity

1Better a poor man who walks with integritythan 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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 motheris 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.

1Better is the poor man, that walketh in his simplicity, than a rich man that is perverse in his lips, and unwise.

2Where there is no knowledge of the soul, there is no good: and he that is hasty with his feet shall stumble.

3The folly of a man supplanteth his seeps: and he fretteth in his mind against God.

4Riches make many friends: but from the poor man, even they whom he had, depart.

5A false witness shall not be unpunished: and he that speaketh lies shall not escape.

6Many honour the person of him that is mighty, and are friends of him that giveth gifts.

7The brethren of the poor man hate him: moreover also his friends have departed far from him. He that followeth after words only, shall have nothing.

8But he that possesseth a mind, loveth his own soul, and he that keepeth prudence shall find good things.

9A false witness shall not be unpunished: and he that speaketh lies, shall perish.

10Delicacies are not seemly for a fool: nor for a servant to have rule over princes.

11The learning of a man is known by patience and his glory is to pass over wrongs.

12As the roaring of a lion, so also is the anger of a king: and his cheerfulness as the dew upon the grass.

13A foolish son is the grief of his father: and a wrangling wife is like a roof continually dropping through.

14House and riches are given by parents: but a prudent wife is properly from the Lord.

15Slothfulness casteth into a deep sleep, and an idle soul shall suffer hunger.

16He that keepeth the commandment, keepeth his own soul: but he that neglecteth his own way, shall die.

17He that hath mercy on the poor, lendeth to the Lord: and he will repay him.

18Chastise thy son, despair not: but to the killing of him set not thy soul.

19He that is impatient, shall suffer damage: and when he shall take away he shall add another thing.

20Hear counsel, and receive instruction, that thou mayst be wise in thy latter end.

21There are many thoughts in the heart of a man: but the will of the Lord shall stand firm.

22A needy man is merciful: and better is the poor than the lying man.

23The fear of the Lord is unto life: and he shall abide in fulness without being visited with evil.

24The slothful hideth his hand under his armpit, and will not so much as bring it to his mouth.

25The wicked man being; scourged, the fool shall be wiser: but if thou rebuke a wise man he will understand discipline.

26He that afflicteth his father, and chaseth away his mother, is infamous and unhappy.

27Cease not, O my son, to hear instruction, and be not ignorant of the words of knowledge.

28An unjust witness scorneth judgment: and the mouth of the wicked devoureth iniquity.

29Judgments are prepared for scorners: and striking hammers for the bodies of fools.