1 Better a poor person who lives with integrity u
than someone who has deceitful lips and is a fool.
2 Even zeal is not good without knowledge, v
and the one who acts hastily A sins. w
3 A person’s own foolishness leads him astray,
yet his heart rages against the LORD. x
4 Wealth attracts many friends, y
but a poor person is separated from his friend.
5 A false witness will not go unpunished, z
and one who utters lies will not escape. a
6 Many seek a ruler’s favor, b
and everyone is a friend of one who gives gifts. c
7 All the brothers of a poor person hate him; d
how much more do his friends
keep their distance from him!
He may pursue them with words, e
but they are not there. B
8 The one who acquires good sense C loves himself;
one who safeguards understanding finds success. f
9 A false witness will not go unpunished,
and one who utters lies perishes. g
10 Luxury is not appropriate for a fool h—
how much less for a slave to rule over princes! i
11 A person’s insight gives him patience, j
and his virtue is to overlook an offense. k
12 A king’s rage is like the roaring of a lion, l
but his favor is like dew on the grass. m
13 A foolish son is his father’s ruin, n
and a wife’s nagging is an endless dripping. o
14 A house and wealth are inherited from fathers, p
but a prudent wife is from the LORD.
15 Laziness induces deep sleep,
and a lazy person will go hungry. q
16 The one who keeps commands preserves himself; r
one who disregards D his ways will die. s
17 Kindness to the poor is a loan to the LORD, t
and he will give a reward to the lender. E,u
18 Discipline your son while there is hope;
don’t set your heart on being the cause of his death. F,v
19 A person with intense anger bears the penalty;
if you rescue him, you’ll have to do it again. w
20 Listen to counsel and receive instruction
so that you may be wise later in life. G,x
21 Many plans are in a person’s heart,
but the LORD’S decree will prevail. y
22 What is desirable in a person is his fidelity;
better to be a poor person than a liar. z
23 The fear of the LORD leads to life;
one will sleep at night H without danger. a
24 The slacker buries his hand in the bowl;
he doesn’t even bring it back to his mouth! b
25 Strike a mocker, and the inexperienced learn a lesson; c
rebuke the discerning, and he gains knowledge. d
26 The one who plunders 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. e
29 Judgments are prepared for mockers,
and beatings for the backs of fools. f