The Counsel of Yahweh Will Stand

1Better is a poor man who walks in his integrity

Than he who is crooked in lips and is a fool.

2Also it is not good for a person to be without knowledge,

And he who hurries [†]his footsteps sins.

3The folly of man subverts his way,

But his heart rages against Yahweh.

4Wealth adds many friends,

But a poor man is separated from his friend.

5A [†]false witness will not go unpunished,

And he who breathes out lies will not escape.

6Many will seek the favor of a noble man,

And everyone is a friend to a man who gives gifts.

7All the brothers of a poor man hate him;

How much more do his friends distance themselves from him!

He pursues them with words, but they are no more.

8He who acquires a heart of wisdom loves his own soul;

He who keeps discernment will find good.

9A [†]false witness will not go unpunished,

And he who breathes out lies will perish.

10Luxury is not fitting for a fool;

Much less for a slave to rule over princes.

11A man’s insight makes him slow to anger,

And it is his honor to overlook a transgression.

12The king’s wrath is like the roaring of a lion,

But his favor is like dew on the grass.

13A foolish son is destruction to his father,

And the contentions of a wife are a constant dripping.

14House and wealth are an inheritance from fathers,

But a wife who has insight is from Yahweh.

15Laziness casts into a deep sleep,

And a slack-handed soul will suffer hunger.

16He who keeps the commandment keeps his soul,

But he who despises his way will die.

17He who is gracious to a poor man lends to Yahweh,

And He will repay him for his bountiful deed.

18Discipline your son while there is hope,

And do not [†]direct your soul to put him to death.

19A man of great wrath will bear the penalty,

For if you deliver him, you will only have to do it again.

20Listen to counsel and receive discipline,

That you may be wise in [†]the end of your days.

21Many [†]thoughts are in a man’s heart,

But it is the counsel of Yahweh that will stand.

22What is desirable in a man is his lovingkindness,

And better is a poor man than a man of falsehood.

23The [†]fear of Yahweh leads to life,

So that one may sleep satisfied, not visited by evil.

24The sluggard buries his hand in the dish,

But will not even bring it back to his mouth.

25Strike a scoffer and the simple may become prudent,

But reprove one who has understanding and he will understand knowledge.

26He who assaults his father and causes his mother to flee

Is a son who brings shame and humiliation.

27Cease listening, my son, to discipline,

And you will stray from the words of knowledge.

28A vile witness scoffs at justice,

And the mouth of the wicked swallows up iniquity.

29[†]Judgments are established for scoffers,

And beatings for the back of fools.