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 who walks in his integritythan he who is perverse in his lips and is a fool.

2It isn’t good to have zeal without knowledge,nor being hasty with one’s feet and missing the way.

3The foolishness of man subverts his way;his heart rages against the LORD.

4Wealth adds many friends,but the poor is separated from his friend.

5A false witness shall not be unpunished.He who pours out lies shall not go free.

6Many will entreat the favor of a ruler,and everyone is a friend to a man who gives gifts.

7All the relatives of the poor shun him;how much more do his friends avoid him! He pursues them with pleas, but they are gone.

8He who gets wisdom loves his own soul.He who keeps understanding shall find good.

9A false witness shall not be unpunished.He who utters lies shall perish.

10Delicate living is not appropriate for a fool,much less for a servant to have rule over princes.

11The discretion of a man makes him slow to anger.It is his glory to overlook an offense.

12The king’s wrath is like the roaring of a lion,but his favor is like dew on the grass.

13A foolish son is the calamity of his father.A wife’s quarrels are a continual dripping.

14House and riches are an inheritance from fathers,but a prudent wife is from the LORD.

15Slothfulness casts into a deep sleep.The idle soul shall suffer hunger.

16He who keeps the commandment keeps his soul,but he who is contemptuous in his ways shall die.

17He who has pity on the poor lends to the LORD;he will reward him.

18Discipline your son, for there is hope;don’t be a willing party to his death.

19A hot-tempered man must pay the penalty,for if you rescue him, you must do it again.

20Listen to counsel and receive instruction,that you may be wise in your latter end.

21There are many plans in a man’s heart,but the LORD’s counsel will prevail.

22That which makes a man to be desired is his kindness.A poor man is better than a liar.

23The fear of the LORD leads to life, then contentment;he rests and will not be touched by trouble.

24The sluggard buries his hand in the dish;he will not so much as bring it to his mouth again.

25Flog a scoffer, and the simple will learn prudence;rebuke one who has understanding, and he will gain knowledge.

26He who robs his father and drives away his motheris a son who causes shame and brings reproach.

27If you stop listening to instruction, my son,you will stray from the words of knowledge.

28A corrupt witness mocks justice,and the mouth of the wicked gulps down iniquity.

29Penalties are prepared for scoffers,and beatings for the backs of fools.