Proverbs 19
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1Better is the poor that walketh in his integrity, than he that is perverse in his lips, and is a fool.1Better the poor whose walk is blameless than a fool whose lips are perverse.
2Also, that the soul be without knowledge, it is not good; and he that hasteth with his feet sinneth.2Desire without knowledge is not good-- how much more will hasty feet miss the way!
3The foolishness of man perverteth his way: and his heart fretteth against the LORD.3A person's own folly leads to their ruin, yet their heart rages against the LORD.
4Wealth maketh many friends; but the poor is separated from his neighbour.4Wealth attracts many friends, but even the closest friend of the poor person deserts them.
5A false witness shall not be unpunished, and he that speaketh lies shall not escape.5A false witness will not go unpunished, and whoever pours out lies will not go free.
6Many will intreat the favour of the prince: and every man is a friend to him that giveth gifts.6Many curry favor with a ruler, and everyone is the friend of one who gives gifts.
7All 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.7The poor are shunned by all their relatives-- how much more do their friends avoid them! Though the poor pursue them with pleading, they are nowhere to be found.
8He that getteth wisdom loveth his own soul: he that keepeth understanding shall find good.8The one who gets wisdom loves life; the one who cherishes understanding will soon prosper.
9A false witness shall not be unpunished, and he that speaketh lies shall perish.9A false witness will not go unpunished, and whoever pours out lies will perish.
10Delight is not seemly for a fool; much less for a servant to have rule over princes.10It is not fitting for a fool to live in luxury-- how much worse for a slave to rule over princes!
11The discretion of a man deferreth his anger; and it is his glory to pass over a transgression.11A person's wisdom yields patience; it is to one's glory to overlook an offense.
12The king's wrath is as the roaring of a lion; but his favour is as dew upon the grass.12A king's rage is like the roar of a lion, but his favor is like dew on the grass.
13A foolish son is the calamity of his father: and the contentions of a wife are a continual dropping.13A foolish child is a father's ruin, and a quarrelsome wife is like the constant dripping of a leaky roof.
14House and riches are the inheritance of fathers: and a prudent wife is from the LORD.14Houses and wealth are inherited from parents, but a prudent wife is from the LORD.
15Slothfulness casteth into a deep sleep; and an idle soul shall suffer hunger.15Laziness brings on deep sleep, and the shiftless go hungry.
16He that keepeth the commandment keepeth his own soul; but he that despiseth his ways shall die.16Whoever keeps commandments keeps their life, but whoever shows contempt for their ways will die.
17He that hath pity upon the poor lendeth unto the LORD; and that which he hath given will he pay him again.17Whoever is kind to the poor lends to the LORD, and he will reward them for what they have done.
18Chasten thy son while there is hope, and let not thy soul spare for his crying.18Discipline your children, for in that there is hope; do not be a willing party to their death.
19A man of great wrath shall suffer punishment: for if thou deliver him, yet thou must do it again.19A hot-tempered person must pay the penalty; rescue them, and you will have to do it again.
20Hear counsel, and receive instruction, that thou mayest be wise in thy latter end.20Listen to advice and accept discipline, and at the end you will be counted among the wise.
21There are many devices in a man's heart; nevertheless the counsel of the LORD, that shall stand.21Many are the plans in a person's heart, but it is the LORD's purpose that prevails.
22The desire of a man is his kindness: and a poor man is better than a liar.22What a person desires is unfailing love; better to be poor than a liar.
23The fear of the LORD tendeth to life: and he that hath it shall abide satisfied; he shall not be visited with evil.23The fear of the LORD leads to life; then one rests content, untouched by trouble.
24A slothful man hideth his hand in his bosom, and will not so much as bring it to his mouth again.24A sluggard buries his hand in the dish; he will not even bring it back to his mouth!
25Smite a scorner, and the simple will beware: and reprove one that hath understanding, and he will understand knowledge.25Flog a mocker, and the simple will learn prudence; rebuke the discerning, and they will gain knowledge.
26He that wasteth his father, and chaseth away his mother, is a son that causeth shame, and bringeth reproach.26Whoever robs their father and drives out their mother is a child who brings shame and disgrace.
27Cease, my son, to hear the instruction that causeth to err from the words of knowledge.27Stop listening to instruction, my son, and you will stray from the words of knowledge.
28An ungodly witness scorneth judgment: and the mouth of the wicked devoureth iniquity.28A corrupt witness mocks at justice, and the mouth of the wicked gulps down evil.
29Judgments are prepared for scorners, and stripes for the back of fools.29Penalties are prepared for mockers, and beatings for the backs of fools.
King James Bible, text courtesy of BibleProtector.com.New International Version (NIV)

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Proverbs 18
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