Proverbs

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 favour 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 offence.

12The king’s wrath is like the roaring of a lion,but his favour 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.

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.