Proverbs 19–20

19 Better the poor whose walk is blameless

than a fool whose lips are perverse.w

2 Desire without knowledge is not good—

how much more will hasty feet miss the way!x

3 A person’s own follyy leads to their ruin,

yet their heart rages against the Lord.z

4 Wealth attracts many friends,

but even the closest friend of the poor person deserts them.a

5 A false witnessb will not go unpunished,c

and whoever pours out lies will not go free.d

6 Many curry favor with a ruler,e

and everyone is the friend of one who gives gifts.f

7 The poor are shunned by all their relatives—

how much more do their friends avoid them!g

Though the poor pursue them with pleading,

they are nowhere to be found.a h

8 The one who gets wisdom loves life;

the one who cherishes understanding will soon prosper.i

9 A false witness will not go unpunished,

and whoever pours out lies will perish.j

10 It is not fitting for a foolk to live in luxury—

how much worse for a slave to rule over princes!l

11 A person’s wisdom yields patience;m

it is to one’s glory to overlook an offense.

12 A king’s rage is like the roar of a lion,n

but his favor is like dewo on the grass.p

13 A foolish child is a father’s ruin,q

and a quarrelsome wife is like

the constant dripping of a leaky roof.r

14 Houses and wealth are inherited from parents,s

but a prudent wife is from the Lord.t

15 Laziness brings on deep sleep,

and the shiftless go hungry.u

16 Whoever keeps commandments keeps their life,

but whoever shows contempt for their ways will die.v

17 Whoever is kind to the poor lends to the Lord,w

and he will reward them for what they have done.x

18 Discipline your children, for in that there is hope;

do not be a willing party to their death.y

19 A hot-tempered person must pay the penalty;

rescue them, and you will have to do it again.

20 Listen to advice and accept discipline,z

and at the end you will be counted among the wise.a

21 Many are the plans in a person’s heart,

but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails.b

22 What a person desires is unfailing loveb;

better to be poor than a liar.

23 The fear of the Lord leads to life;

then one rests content, untouched by trouble.c

24 A sluggard buries his hand in the dish;

he will not even bring it back to his mouth!d

25 Flog a mocker, and the simple will learn prudence;

rebuke the discerning,e and they will gain knowledge.f

26 Whoever robs their father and drives out their motherg

is a child who brings shame and disgrace.

27 Stop listening to instruction, my son,h

and you will stray from the words of knowledge.

28 A corrupt witness mocks at justice,

and the mouth of the wicked gulps down evil.i

29 Penalties are prepared for mockers,

and beatings for the backs of fools.j

20 Winek is a mockerl and beer a brawler;

whoever is led astraym by them is not wise.n

2 A king’s wrath strikes terror like the roar of a lion;o

those who anger him forfeit their lives.p

3 It is to one’s honor to avoid strife,

but every foolq is quick to quarrel.r

4 Sluggardss do not plow in season;

so at harvest time they look but find nothing.t

5 The purposes of a person’s heart are deep waters,u

but one who has insight draws them out.

6 Many claim to have unfailing love,

but a faithful person who can find?v

7 The righteous lead blameless lives;w

blessed are their children after them.x

8 When a king sits on his throne to judge,y

he winnows out all evil with his eyes.z

9 Who can say, “I have kept my heart pure;a

I am clean and without sin”?b

10 Differing weights and differing measures—

the Lord detests them both.c

11 Even small children are known by their actions,

so is their conduct really pured and upright?

12 Ears that hear and eyes that see—

the Lord has made them both.e

13 Do not love sleep or you will grow poor;f

stay awake and you will have food to spare.

14 “It’s no good, it’s no good!” says the buyer—

then goes off and boasts about the purchase.

15 Gold there is, and rubies in abundance,

but lips that speak knowledge are a rare jewel.

16 Take the garment of one who puts up security for a stranger;

hold it in pledgeg if it is done for an outsider.h

17 Food gained by fraud tastes sweet,i

but one ends up with a mouth full of gravel.j

18 Plans are established by seeking advice;

so if you wage war, obtain guidance.k

19 A gossip betrays a confidence;l

so avoid anyone who talks too much.

20 If someone curses their father or mother,m

their lamp will be snuffed out in pitch darkness.n

21 An inheritance claimed too soon

will not be blessed at the end.

22 Do not say, “I’ll pay you back for this wrong!”o

Wait for the Lord, and he will avenge you.p

23 The Lord detests differing weights,

and dishonest scales do not please him.q

24 A person’s steps are directedr by the Lord.s

How then can anyone understand their own way?t

25 It is a trap to dedicate something rashly

and only later to consider one’s vows.u

26 A wise king winnows out the wicked;

he drives the threshing wheel over them.v

27 The human spirit isa the lamp of the Lordw

that sheds light on one’s inmost being.x

28 Love and faithfulness keep a king safe;

through lovey his throne is made secure.z

29 The glory of young men is their strength,

gray hair the splendor of the old.a

30 Blows and wounds scrubb away evil,

and beatingsc purge the inmost being.