19 Better a poor man who lives with integrity g

than someone who has deceitful lips and is a fool.

2 Even zeal is not good without knowledge, h

and the one who acts hastily i sins. j

3 A man’s own foolishness leads him astray,

yet his heart rages against the Lord. k

4 Wealth attracts many friends, l

but a poor man is separated from his friend.

5 A false witness will not go unpunished, m

and one who utters lies will not escape. n

6 Many seek a ruler’s favor, o

and everyone is a friend of one who gives gifts. p

7 All the brothers of a poor man hate him; q

how much more do his friends

keep their distance from him!

He may pursue them with words, r

but they are not there. s

8 The one who acquires good sense t loves himself;

one who safeguards understanding finds success. u

9 A false witness will not go unpunished,

and one who utters lies perishes. v

10 Luxury is not appropriate for a fool w—

how much less for a slave to rule over princes! x

11 A person’s insight gives him patience, y

and his virtue is to overlook an offense. z

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

but his favor is like dew on the grass. b

13 A foolish son is his father’s ruin, c

and a wife’s nagging is an endless dripping. d

14 A house and wealth are inherited from fathers, e

but a sensible wife is from the Lord.

15 Laziness induces deep sleep,

and a lazy person will go hungry. f

16 The one who keeps commands preserves himself; g

one who disregards h his ways will die. i

17 Kindness to the poor is a loan to the Lord, j

and He will give a reward to the lender. k l

18 Discipline your son while there is hope;

don’t be intent on killing him. m n

19 A person with great anger bears the penalty;

if you rescue him, you’ll have to do it again. o

20 Listen to counsel and receive instruction

so that you may be wise later in life. p q

21 Many plans are in a man’s heart,

but the Lord’s decree will prevail. r

22 What is desirable in a man is his fidelity;

better to be a poor man than a liar. s

23 The * fear of the Lord leads to life;

one will sleep at night t without danger. u

24 The slacker buries his hand in the bowl;

he doesn’t even bring it back to his mouth. v

25 Strike a mocker, and the inexperienced learn a lesson; w

rebuke the discerning, and he gains knowledge. x

26 The one who assaults his father and evicts his mother

is a disgraceful and shameful son.

27 If you stop listening to correction, my son,

you will stray from the words of knowledge.

28 A worthless witness mocks justice,

and a wicked mouth swallows iniquity. y

29 Judgments are prepared for mockers,

and beatings for the backs of fools. z