Proverbs 19

1 A poor man who walks blamelessly is better than a fool who speaks perversely.ISV — Proverbs 19:1

2 Furthermore, it isn’t good to be ignorant, ^{a19:2 Lit. good for an ignorant soul} and whoever rushes into things ^{b19:2 Lit. whoever hurries with his feet} misses the mark.ISV — Proverbs 19:2

3 A man’s foolishness ruins his life, ^{c19:3 Lit. way} yet his heart rages against the LORD.ISV — Proverbs 19:3

4 Wealth brings many friends, but a poor man is deserted by his friend.ISV — Proverbs 19:4

5 A witness to lies will not go unpunished; the teller of falsehoods will not escape.ISV — Proverbs 19:5

6 Many curry favor of an official; everyone is a friend of the gift giver.ISV — Proverbs 19:6

7 All the relatives of a poor person shun him— how much more do his friends avoid him! Though he runs after them pleading, they aren’t around.ISV — Proverbs 19:7

8 Whoever obtains wisdom loves himself, and whoever treasures understanding will prosper.ISV — Proverbs 19:8

9 A witness to lies will not go unpunished; the teller of falsehoods will perish.ISV — Proverbs 19:9

10 It’s not fitting for a fool to live in luxury; neither is it for a servant to rule over princes.ISV — Proverbs 19:10

11 A person’s discretion makes him slow to anger, and it is to his credit that he ignores an offence.ISV — Proverbs 19:11

12 The king’s anger is like the roaring of a lion, but his goodwill is like dew on the grass.ISV — Proverbs 19:12

13 A father’s ruin is a foolish son, and a wife’s quarreling is like ^{d19:13 The Heb. lacks like} dripping water that never stops.ISV — Proverbs 19:13

14 A house and self-sufficiency are a father’s inheritance, but from the LORD comes an insightful wife.ISV — Proverbs 19:14

15 Laziness puts one to sleep, and an idle person will go hungry.ISV — Proverbs 19:15

16 Whoever obeys a commandment keeps himself safe, ^{e19:16 Lit. keeps his soul} but someone who is contemptuous in conduct ^{f19:16 Lit. in his way} will die.ISV — Proverbs 19:16

17 Whoever is kind to the poor is lending to the LORD— the benefit of his gift will return to him in abundance.ISV — Proverbs 19:17

18 Discipline your son while there is still hope— but don’t set your heart on his destruction.ISV — Proverbs 19:18

19 The person who has great anger must pay the consequences, because if you rescue him, you will have to do it again.ISV — Proverbs 19:19

20 Listen to advice and accept discipline, and you’ll be wise for the rest of your life. ^{g19:20 The Heb. lacks of your life}ISV — Proverbs 19:20

21 Many plans occupy the mind ^{h19:21 Lit. heart} of a man, but the LORD’s purposes will prevail. ^{i19:21 Or will be established}ISV — Proverbs 19:21

22 Human beings long for grace, and it’s better to be poor than a man of deceit.ISV — Proverbs 19:22

23 The fear of the LORD leads ^{j19:23 The Heb. lacks leads} to life; whoever is satisfied with it will rest, untouched by evil.ISV — Proverbs 19:23

24 The lazy person buries his hand in his dish and doesn’t bother to bring it back to his mouth.ISV — Proverbs 19:24

25 If you scourge a scoffer, the simple person may learn to be discreet; rebuke a discerning man and he will gain understanding.ISV — Proverbs 19:25

26 Whoever mistreats his father and alienates his mother is a son who brings both shame and disrespect.ISV — Proverbs 19:26

27 My son, if you stop listening to instruction, you will stray from the principles of knowledge.ISV — Proverbs 19:27

28 A corrupt witness ^{k19:28 i.e. a worthless person} mocks justice, and the wicked person feeds on iniquity.ISV — Proverbs 19:28

29 Condemnation is appropriate for mockers, just as beatings are for the backs of fools.ISV — Proverbs 19:29