Proverbs 18:23–19:8

23  The poor use entreaties,

but ythe rich answer roughly.

24  A man of many companions may come to ruin,

but zthere is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.

19 aBetter is a poor person who bwalks in his integrity

than one who is crooked in speech and is a fool.

2  Desire1 without knowledge is not good,

and whoever cmakes haste with his feet misses his way.

3  When a man’s folly dbrings his way to ruin,

his heart erages against the Lord.

4  fWealth brings many new friends,

fbut a poor man is deserted by his friend.

5  gA false witness will not go unpunished,

and he who hbreathes out lies will not escape.

6  Many seek the favor of a generous man,2

and everyone is a friend to a man who gives igifts.

7  jAll a poor man’s brothers hate him;

khow much more do his friends go far from him!

He pursues them with words, but does not have them.3

8  lWhoever gets sense loves his own soul;

he who keeps understanding will mdiscover good.