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The Proverbs

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- Chapter 19 -

Wealth and poverty

1
Better is the poor who walks in his simplicity, than the rich who twists his lips and is unwise.
2
Where there is no knowledge of the soul, there is no good. And whoever hurries with his feet will stumble.
3
The foolishness of a man undermines his steps. And then he seethes in his soul against God.
4
Riches add many friends. But from the pauper, even those whom he had become separated.
5
A false witness shall not go unpunished. And whoever speaks lies will not escape.
6
Many honor the character of one who is powerful, and there are friends for a giver of gifts.
7
The brothers of the poor man hate him. Moreover, even his friends have withdrawn far from him. Whoever pursues only words shall have nothing.
8
But whoever possesses reason loves his own soul. And one who guards prudence shall discover good things.
9
A false witness shall not go unpunished. And whoever speaks lies will perish.
10
Fine things are not fitting for the foolish, nor is it fitting for a servant to rule over princes.
11
The doctrine of a man is known through patience. And his glory is to pass beyond iniquities.
12
Like the roaring of a lion, so also is the wrath of a king. And his cheerfulness is like the dew upon the grass.
13
A foolish son is the grief of his father. And an argumentative wife is like a roof that is continually leaking.(a)
14
A house and its riches are given by parents. But a prudent wife is particularly from the Lord.
15
Laziness sends one into a deep sleep, and a dissolute soul will go hungry.
16
Whoever guards a commandment guards his own soul. But whoever neglects his own way will die.
17
Whoever is merciful to the poor lends to the Lord. And he will repay him for his efforts.

Advice and counsel

18
Teach your son; do not despair. But do not set your soul toward putting him to death.
19
Whoever is impatient will sustain damage. And when it has been taken away, he will set up another.
20
Listen to counsel and take up discipline, so that you may be wise in your latter days.
21
There are many intentions in the heart of a man. But the will of the Lord shall stand firm.
22
An indigent man is merciful. And a pauper is better than a deceitful man.
23
The fear of the Lord is unto life. And he shall linger in plentitude, without being visited by disaster.(b)
24
The lazy conceals his hand under his arm, and he will not so much as bring it to his mouth.
25
When the pestilent are scourged, the foolish will become wiser. But if you chastise the wise, he will understand discipline.
26
Whoever afflicts his father and flees from his mother is disreputable and unhappy.
27
Son, do not cease listening to doctrine, and do not be ignorant of the sermons of knowledge.
28
An unjust witness ridicules judgment. And the mouth of the impious devours iniquity.
29
Judgments are prepared for those who ridicule. And striking hammers are prepared for the bodies of the foolish.

Footnotes

(a)19:13 Literally, ‘perstillantia’ means ‘dripping through,’ i.e. leaking.(Conte)
(b)19:23 The word ‘pessima’ like the word ‘mala’ can refer to what is wicked or evil, but it can also refer to disaster or misfortune.(Conte)

Wealth and poverty

1
Better is the poor who walks in his integrity than he who is perverse in his lips and is a fool.
2
It isn’t good to have zeal without knowledge, nor being hasty with one’s feet and missing the way.
3
The foolishness of man subverts his way; his heart rages against the LORD.
4
Wealth adds many friends, but the poor is separated from his friend.
5
A false witness shall not be unpunished. He who pours out lies shall not go free.
6
Many will entreat the favor of a ruler, and everyone is a friend to a man who gives gifts.
7
All the relatives of the poor shun him; how much more do his friends avoid him! He pursues them with pleas, but they are gone.
8
He who gets wisdom loves his own soul. He who keeps understanding shall find good.
9
A false witness shall not be unpunished. He who utters lies shall perish.
10
Delicate living is not appropriate for a fool, much less for a servant to have rule over princes.
11
The discretion of a man makes him slow to anger. It is his glory to overlook an offense.
12
The king’s wrath is like the roaring of a lion, but his favor is like dew on the grass.
13
A foolish son is the calamity of his father. A wife’s quarrels are a continual dripping.
14
House and riches are an inheritance from fathers, but a prudent wife is from the LORD.
15
Slothfulness casts into a deep sleep. The idle soul shall suffer hunger.
16
He who keeps the commandment keeps his soul, but he who is contemptuous in his ways shall die.
17
He who has pity on the poor lends to the LORD; he will reward him.

Advice and counsel

18
Discipline your son, for there is hope; don’t be a willing party to his death.
19
A hot-tempered man must pay the penalty, for if you rescue him, you must do it again.
20
Listen to counsel and receive instruction, that you may be wise in your latter end.
21
There are many plans in a man’s heart, but the LORD’s counsel will prevail.
22
That which makes a man to be desired is his kindness. A poor man is better than a liar.
23
The fear of the LORD leads to life, then contentment; he rests and will not be touched by trouble.
24
The sluggard buries his hand in the dish; he will not so much as bring it to his mouth again.
25
Flog a scoffer, and the simple will learn prudence; rebuke one who has understanding, and he will gain knowledge.
26
He who robs his father and drives away his mother is a son who causes shame and brings reproach.
27
If you stop listening to instruction, my son, you will stray from the words of knowledge.
28
A corrupt witness mocks justice, and the mouth of the wicked gulps down iniquity.
29
Penalties are prepared for scoffers, and beatings for the backs of fools.
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