Proverbs 19
JPS Tanakh (Jewish Publication Society, 1917)
World English Bible
1Better is the poor that walketh in his integrity than he that is perverse in his lips and a fool at the same time.
1Better is the poor who walks in his integrity than he who is 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.
2It isn’t good to have zeal without knowledge, nor to be hasty with one’s feet and miss the way.
3The foolishness of man perverteth his way; and his heart fretteth against the LORD.
3The foolishness of man subverts his way; his heart rages against the LORD.
4Wealth addeth many friends; but as for the poor, his friend separateth himself from him.
4Wealth adds many friends, but the poor is separated from his friend.
5A false witness shall not be unpunished; and he that breatheth forth lies shall not escape.
5A false witness shall not be unpunished. He who pours out lies shall not go free.
6Many will entreat the favour of the liberal man; and every man is a friend to him that giveth gifts.
6Many will entreat the favor of a ruler, and everyone is a friend to a man who gives gifts.
7All the brethren of the poor do hate him; how much more do his friends go far from him! He that pursueth words, they turn against him.
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 that getteth wisdom loveth his own soul; he that keepeth understanding shall find good.
8He who gets wisdom loves his own soul. He who keeps understanding shall find good.
9A false witness shall not be unpunished; and he that breatheth forth lies shall perish.
9A false witness shall not be unpunished. He who utters lies shall perish.
10Luxury is not seemly for a fool; much less for a servant to have rule over princes.
10Delicate living is not appropriate for a fool, much less for a servant to have rule over princes.
11It is the discretion of a man to be slow to anger, and it is his glory to pass over a transgression.
11The discretion of a man makes him slow to anger. It is his glory to overlook an offense.
12The king's wrath is as the roaring of a lion; but his favour is as dew upon the grass.
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; and the contentions of a wife are a continual dropping.
13A foolish son is the calamity of his father. A wife’s quarrels are a continual dripping.
14House and riches are the inheritance of fathers; but a prudent wife is from the LORD.
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.
15Slothfulness casts into a deep sleep. The idle soul shall suffer hunger.
16He that keepeth the commandment keepeth his soul; but he that despiseth His ways shall die.
16He who keeps the commandment keeps his soul, but he who is contemptuous in his ways shall die.
17He that is gracious unto the poor lendeth unto the LORD; and his good deed will He repay unto him.
17He who has pity on the poor lends to the LORD; he will reward him.
18Chasten thy son, for there is hope; but set not thy heart on his destruction.
18Discipline your son, for there is hope; don’t be a willing party to his death.
19A man of great wrath shall suffer punishment; for if thou interpose, thou wilt add thereto.
19A hot-tempered man must pay the penalty, for if you rescue him, you must do it again.
20Hear counsel, and receive instruction, that thou mayest be wise in thy latter end.
20Listen to counsel and receive instruction, that you may be wise in your latter end.
21There are many devices in a man's heart; but the counsel of the LORD, that shall stand.
21There are many plans in a man’s heart, but the LORD’s counsel will prevail.
22The lust of a man is his shame; and a poor man is better than a liar.
22That which makes a man to be desired is his kindness. 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.
23The fear of the LORD leads to life, then contentment; he rests and will not be touched by trouble.
24The sluggard burieth his hand in the dish, and will not so much as bring it back to his mouth.
24The sluggard buries his hand in the dish; he will not so much as bring it to his mouth again.
25When thou smitest a scorner, the simple will become prudent; and when one that hath understanding is reproved, he will understand knowledge.
25Flog a scoffer, and the simple will learn prudence; rebuke one who has understanding, and he will gain knowledge.
26A son that dealeth shamefully and reproachfully will despoil his father, and chase away his mother.
26He who robs his father and drives away his mother is a son who causes shame and brings reproach.
27Cease, my son, to hear the instruction that causeth to err from the words of knowledge.
27If you stop listening to instruction, my son, you will stray from the words of knowledge.
28An ungodly witness mocketh at right; and the mouth of the wicked devoureth iniquity.
28A corrupt witness mocks justice, and the mouth of the wicked gulps down iniquity.
29Judgments are prepared for scorners, and stripes for the back of fools.
29Penalties are prepared for scoffers, and beatings for the backs of fools.
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