Chapter 19

Proverbs

1Better is a poor person who walks in his integritythan one who is crooked in speech and is a fool.2Desire without knowledge is not good,and whoever makes haste with his feet misses his way.3When a man’s folly brings his way to ruin,his heart rages against the LORD.4Wealth brings many new friends,but a poor man is deserted by his friend.5A false witness will not go unpunished,and he who breathes out lies will not escape.6Many seek the favor of a generous man,and everyone is a friend to a man who gives gifts.7All a poor man’s brothers hate him;how much more do his friends go far from him!He pursues them with words, but does not have them.8Whoever gets sense loves his own soul;he who keeps understanding will discover good.9A false witness will not go unpunished,and he who breathes out lies will perish.10It is not fitting for a fool to live in luxury,much less for a slave to rule over princes.11Good sense makes one slow to anger,and it is his glory to overlook an offense.12A king’s wrath is like the growling of a lion,but his favor is like dew on the grass.13A foolish son is ruin to his father,and a wife’s quarreling is a continual dripping of rain.14House and wealth are inherited from fathers,but a prudent wife is from the LORD.15Slothfulness casts into a deep sleep,and an idle person will suffer hunger.16Whoever keeps the commandment keeps his life;he who despises his ways will die.17Whoever is generous to the poor lends to the LORD,and he will repay him for his deed.18Discipline your son, for there is hope;do not set your heart on putting him to death.19A man of great wrath will pay the penalty,for if you deliver him, you will only have to do it again.20Listen to advice and accept instruction,that you may gain wisdom in the future.21Many are the plans in the mind of a man,but it is the purpose of the LORD that will stand.22What is desired in a man is steadfast love,and a poor man is better than a liar.23The fear of the LORD leads to life,and whoever has it rests satisfied;he will not be visited by harm.24The sluggard buries his hand in the dishand will not even bring it back to his mouth.25Strike a scoffer, and the simple will learn prudence;reprove a man of understanding, and he will gain knowledge.26He who does violence to his father and chases away his motheris a son who brings shame and reproach.27Cease to hear instruction, my son,and you will stray from the words of knowledge.28A worthless witness mocks at justice,and the mouth of the wicked devours iniquity.29Condemnation is ready for scoffers,and beating for the backs of fools.

Scripture quotations are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved. The ESV text may not be quoted in any publication made available to the public by a Creative Commons license. The ESV may not be translated into any other language.