Better ais the poor who walks in his integrity
Than one who is perverse in his lips, and is a fool.
2 Also it is not good for a soul to be without knowledge,
And he sins who hastens with his feet.
3 The foolishness of a man twists his way,
And his heart frets against the Lord.
4 aWealth makes many friends,
But the poor is separated from his friend.
5 A afalse witness will not go unpunished,
And he who speaks lies will not escape.
6 Many entreat the favor of the nobility,
And every man is a friend to one who gives gifts.
7 aAll the brothers of the poor hate him;
How much more do his friends go bfar from him!
He may pursue them with words, yet they abandon him.
8 He who gets wisdom loves his own soul;
He who keeps understanding awill find good.
9 A false witness will not go unpunished,
And he who speaks lies shall perish.
10 Luxury is not fitting for a fool,
Much less afor a servant to rule over princes.
11 aThe discretion of a man makes him slow to anger,
bAnd his glory is to overlook a transgression.
12 aThe king’s wrath is like the roaring of a lion,
But his favor is blike dew on the grass.
13 aA foolish son is the ruin of his father,
bAnd the contentions of a wife are a continual dripping.
14 aHouses and riches are an inheritance from fathers,
But ba prudent wife is from the Lord.
15 aLaziness casts one into a deep sleep,
And an idle person will bsuffer hunger.
16 aHe who keeps the commandment keeps his soul,
But he who is careless of his ways will die.
17 aHe who has pity on the poor lends to the Lord,
And He will pay back what he has given.
18 aChasten your son while there is hope,
And do not set your heart on his destruction.
19 A man of great wrath will suffer punishment;
For if you rescue him, you will have to do it again.
20 Listen to counsel and receive instruction,
That you may be wise ain your latter days.
21 There are many plans in a man’s heart,
aNevertheless the Lord’s counsel—that will stand.
22 What is desired in a man is kindness,
And a poor man is better than a liar.
23 aThe fear of the Lord leads to life,
And he who has it will abide in satisfaction;
He will not be visited with evil.
24 aA lazy man buries his hand in the bowl,
And will not so much as bring it to his mouth again.
25 Strike a scoffer, and the simple awill become wary;
bRebuke one who has understanding, and he will discern knowledge.
26 He who mistreats his father and chases away his mother
Is aa son who causes shame and brings reproach.
27 Cease listening to instruction, my son,
And you will stray from the words of knowledge.
28 A disreputable witness scorns justice,
And athe mouth of the wicked devours iniquity.
29 Judgments are prepared for scoffers,
aAnd beatings for the backs of fools.
The Holy Bible, New King James Version, Copyright © 1982 Thomas Nelson.
All rights reserved.