The Counsel of Yahweh Will Stand
aBetter is a poor man who bwalks in his integrity
Than he who is crooked in lips and is a fool.
2 Also it is not good for a person to be without knowledge,
And he who hurries ahis footsteps sins.
3 The afolly of man subverts his way,
But his heart brages against Yahweh.
4 aWealth adds many friends,
But a poor man is separated from his friend.
5 A afalse witness will not go unpunished,
And he who bbreathes out lies will not escape.
6 aMany will seek the favor of a noble man,
And everyone is a friend to a man who bgives gifts.
7 All the brothers of a poor man hate him;
How much more do his afriends distance themselves from him!
He bpursues them with words, but they are no more.
8 He who acquires a heart of wisdom loves his own soul;
He who keeps discernment will afind good.
9 A afalse witness will not go unpunished,
And he who breathes out lies will perish.
10 Luxury is anot fitting for a fool;
Much less for a bslave to rule over princes.
11 A man’s ainsight makes him slow to anger,
And it is his honor bto overlook a transgression.
12 The aking’s wrath is like the roaring of a lion,
But his favor is like bdew on the grass.
13 A afoolish son is destruction to his father,
And the bcontentions of a wife are a constant dripping.
14 House and wealth are an ainheritance from fathers,
But a wife who has insight is from Yahweh.
15 aLaziness casts into a deep sleep,
And a slack‑handed soul will suffer hunger.
16 He who akeeps the commandment keeps his soul,
But he who despises his way will die.
17 He who ais gracious to a poor man lends to Yahweh,
And He will repay him for his bbountiful deed.
18 aDiscipline your son while there is hope,
And do not direct your soul to put him to death.
19 A man of great wrath will bear the penalty,
For if you deliver him, you will only have to do it again.
20 aListen to counsel and receive discipline,
That you may be wise in the end of your days.
21 Many athoughts are in a man’s heart,
But it is the bcounsel of Yahweh that will stand.
22 What is desirable in a man is his lovingkindness,
And better is a poor man than a man of falsehood.
23 The afear of Yahweh leads to life,
So that one may sleep bsatisfied, not cvisited by evil.
24 The asluggard buries his hand bin the dish,
But will not even bring it back to his mouth.
25 aStrike a scoffer and the simple may become prudent,
But breprove one who has understanding and he will understand knowledge.
26 He awho assaults his father and causes his mother to flee
Is a son who brings shame and humiliation.
27 Cease listening, my son, to discipline,
And you will stray from the words of knowledge.
28 A vile witness scoffs at justice,
And the mouth of the wicked aswallows up iniquity.
29 Judgments are established for ascoffers,
And bbeatings for the back of fools.