Proverbs 19
Contrasting proverbs address the integrity of the poor versus the perverseness of the rich fool, the value of patience and discretion, and the fear of the LORD that leads to life. The chapter warns against laziness, false witnesses, and neglecting to discipline a child while there is hope.
| v | King James Version | Modern English |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Better is the poor that walketh in his integrity, than he that is perverse in his lips, and is a fool. | Better is the poor who walks in His integrity than He who is perverse in his lips and is a fool. |
| 2 | Also, that the soul be without knowledge, it is not good; and he that hasteth with his feet sinneth. | Also, that the soul be without knowledge is not good, and He who hastens with his feet sins. |
| 3 | The foolishness of man perverteth his way: and his heart fretteth against the LORD. | The foolishness of man perverts His way, and His heart frets against the LORD. |
| 4 | Wealth maketh many friends; but the poor is separated from his neighbour. | Wealth makes many friends, but the poor is separated from His neighbor. |
| 5 | A false witness shall not be unpunished, and he that speaketh lies shall not escape. | A false witness will not be unpunished, and He who speaks lies will not escape. |
| 6 | Many will intreat the favour of the prince: and every man is a friend to him that giveth gifts. | Many will entreat the favor of the prince, and every man is a friend to him who gives gifts. |
| 7 | All the brethren of the poor do hate him: how much more do his friends go far from him? he pursueth them with words, yet they are wanting to him. | All the brethren of the poor hate him; how much more do his friends go far from him! He pursues them with words, yet they are gone. |
| 8 | He that getteth wisdom loveth his own soul: he that keepeth understanding shall find good. | He who gets wisdom loves his own soul; he who keeps understanding will find good. |
| 9 | A false witness shall not be unpunished, and he that speaketh lies shall perish. | A false witness will not be unpunished, and he who speaks lies will perish. |
| 10 | Delight is not seemly for a fool; much less for a servant to have rule over princes. | Delight is not fitting for a fool, much less for a servant to rule over princes. |
| 11 | The discretion of a man deferreth his anger; and it is his glory to pass over a transgression. | The discretion of a man defers his anger, and it is his glory to pass over a transgression. |
| 12 | The king's wrath is as the roaring of a lion; but his favour is as dew upon the grass. | 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: and the contentions of a wife are a continual dropping. | A foolish son is the calamity of his father, and the contentions of a wife are a continual dripping. |
| 14 | House and riches are the inheritance of fathers: and a prudent wife is from the LORD. | House and riches are the inheritance of fathers, but a prudent wife is from the LORD. |
| 15 | Slothfulness casteth into a deep sleep; and an idle soul shall suffer hunger. | Slothfulness casts into a deep sleep, and an idle soul will suffer hunger. |
| 16 | He that keepeth the commandment keepeth his own soul; but he that despiseth his ways shall die. | He who keeps the commandment keeps his own soul, but He who despises his ways will die. |
| 17 | He that hath pity upon the poor lendeth unto the LORD; and that which he hath given will he pay him again. | He who has pity on the poor lends to the LORD, and what He has given He will repay Him. |
| 18 | Chasten thy son while there is hope, and let not thy soul spare for his crying. | Chasten Your son while there is hope, and do not let Your soul spare Him because of His crying. |
| 19 | A man of great wrath shall suffer punishment: for if thou deliver him, yet thou must do it again. | A man of great wrath will suffer punishment, for if You deliver Him, You must do it again. |
| 20 | Hear counsel, and receive instruction, that thou mayest be wise in thy latter end. | Hear counsel and receive instruction, that You may be wise in Your latter end. |
| 21 | There are many devices in a man's heart; nevertheless the counsel of the LORD, that shall stand. | There are many devices in a man's heart, but the counsel of the LORD will stand. |
| 22 | The desire of a man is his kindness: and a poor man is better than a liar. | The desire of a man is his kindness, and a poor man is better than a liar. |
| 23 | The fear of the LORD tendeth to life: and he that hath it shall abide satisfied; he shall not be visited with evil. | The fear of the LORD leads to life, and He who has it will abide satisfied; he will not be visited with evil. |
| 24 | A slothful man hideth his hand in his bosom, and will not so much as bring it to his mouth again. | A slothful man hides His hand in His bosom and will not even bring it to His mouth again. |
| 25 | Smite a scorner, and the simple will beware: and reprove one that hath understanding, and he will understand knowledge. | Strike a scorner, and the simple will beware; correct one who has understanding, and He will gain knowledge. |
| 26 | He that wasteth his father, and chaseth away his mother, is a son that causeth shame, and bringeth reproach. | He who wastes his father and drives away his mother is a son who causes shame and brings reproach. |
| 27 | Cease, my son, to hear the instruction that causeth to err from the words of knowledge. | Cease, my son, to hear the instruction that causes You to stray from the words of knowledge. |
| 28 | An ungodly witness scorneth judgment: and the mouth of the wicked devoureth iniquity. | An ungodly witness scorns judgment, and the mouth of the wicked devours iniquity. |
| 29 | Judgments are prepared for scorners, and stripes for the back of fools. | Judgments are prepared for scorners, and stripes for the back of fools. |