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| Better is the poor that walketh in his
integrity, than he that is perverse in his lips, and is a fool.
2 Also, that the soul be without knowledge, it is not good; and he that hasteth with his feet sinneth. 3 The foolishness of man perverteth his way: and his heart fretteth against the LORD. 4 Wealth maketh many friends; but the poor is separated from his neighbour. 5 A false witness shall not be unpunished, and he that speaketh lies shall not escape. 6 Many will intreat the favour of the prince: and every man is a friend to him that giveth gifts. 7 All the brethren of the poor do hate him: how much more do his friends go far from him? he pursueth them with words, yet they are wanting to him. 8 He that getteth wisdom loveth his own soul: he that keepeth understanding shall find good. 9 A false witness shall not be unpunished, and he that speaketh lies shall perish. 10 Delight is not seemly for a fool; much less for a servant to have rule over princes. 11 The discretion of a man deferreth his anger; and it is his glory to pass over a transgression. 12 The king’s wrath is as the roaring of a lion; but his favour is as dew upon the grass. 13 A foolish son is the calamity of his father: and the contentions of a wife are a continual dropping. 14 House and riches are the inheritance of fathers: and a prudent wife is from the LORD. 15 Slothfulness casteth into a deep sleep; and an idle soul shall suffer hunger. 16 He that keepeth the commandment keepeth his own soul; but he that despiseth his ways shall die. 17 He that hath pity upon the poor lendeth unto the LORD; and that which he hath given will he pay him again. 18 Chasten thy son while there is hope, and let not thy soul spare for his crying. 19 A man of great wrath shall suffer punishment: for if thou deliver him, yet thou must do it again. 20 Hear counsel, and receive instruction, that thou mayest be wise in thy latter end. 21 There are many devices in a man’s heart; nevertheless the counsel of the LORD, that shall stand. 22 The desire of a man is his kindness: and a poor man is better than a liar. 23 The fear of the LORD tendeth to life: and he that hath it shall abide satisfied; he shall not be visited with evil. 24 A slothful man hideth his hand in his bosom, and will not so much as bring it to his mouth again. 25 Smite a scorner, and the simple will beware: and reprove one that hath understanding, and he will understand knowledge. 26 He that wasteth his father, and chaseth away his mother, is a son that causeth shame, and bringeth reproach. 27 Cease, my son, to hear the instruction that causeth to err from the words of knowledge. 28 An ungodly witness scorneth judgment: and the mouth of the wicked devoureth iniquity. 29 Judgments are prepared for scorners, and stripes for the back of fools. |
It is better to be poor and honest than
to be a fool and dishonest.
2 Zeal without knowledge is not good; a person who moves too quickly may go the wrong way. 3 People ruin their lives by their own foolishness and then are angry at the Lord. 4 Wealth makes many “friends”; poverty drives them away. 5 A false witness will not go unpunished, nor will a liar escape. 6 Many beg favors from a prince; everyone is the friend of a person who gives gifts! 7 If the relatives of the poor despise them, how much more will their friends avoid them. The poor call after them, but they are gone. 8 To acquire wisdom is to love oneself; people who cherish understanding will prosper. 9 A false witness will not go unpunished, and a liar will be destroyed. 10 It isn’t right for a fool to live in luxury or for a slave to rule over princes! 11 People with good sense restrain their anger; they earn esteem by overlooking wrongs. 12 The king’s anger is like a lion’s roar, but his favor is like dew on the grass. 13 A foolish child is a calamity to a father; a nagging wife annoys like a constant dripping. 14 Parents can provide their sons with an inheritance of houses and wealth, but only the Lord can give an understanding wife. 15 A lazy person sleeps soundly—and goes hungry. 16 Keep the commandments and keep your life; despising them leads to death. 17 If you help the poor, you are lending to the Lord—and he will repay you! 18 Discipline your children while there is hope. If you don’t, you will ruin their lives. 19 Short-tempered people must pay their own penalty. If you rescue them once, you will have to do it again. 20 Get all the advice and instruction you can, and be wise the rest of your life. 21 You can make many plans, but the Lord’s purpose will prevail. 22 Loyalty makes a person attractive. And it is better to be poor than dishonest. 23 Fear of the Lord gives life, security, and protection from harm. 24 Some people are so lazy that they won’t even lift a finger to feed themselves. 25 If you punish a mocker, the simpleminded will learn a lesson; if you reprove the wise, they will be all the wiser. 26 Children who mistreat their father or chase away their mother are a public disgrace and an embarrassment. 27 If you stop listening to instruction, my child, you have turned your back on knowledge. 28 A corrupt witness makes a mockery of justice; the mouth of the wicked gulps down evil. 29 Mockers will be punished, and the backs of fools will be beaten. |