1Better is a poor man who walks in his integrity

than a man who is perverse in speech, and is a fool.

2It is not good for a man to be without knowledge,

and he who makes haste with his feet misses his way.

3When a man's folly brings his way to ruin,

his heart rages against the LORD.

4Wealth brings many new friends,

but a poor man is deserted by his friend.

5A false witness will not go unpunished,

and he who utters lies will not escape.

6Many seek the favour of a generous man,

and every one is a friend to a man who gives gifts.

7All a poor man's brothers hate him;

how much more do his friends go far from him!

He pursues them with words, but does not have them.19.7 Heb uncertain

8He who gets wisdom loves himself;

he who keeps understanding will prosper.

9A false witness will not go unpunished,

and he who utters lies will perish.

10It is not fitting for a fool to live in luxury,

much less for a slave to rule over princes.

11Good sense makes a man slow to anger,

and it is his glory to overlook an offence.

12A king's wrath is like the growling of a lion,

but his favour is like dew upon the grass.

13A foolish son is ruin to his father,

and a wife's quarrelling is a continual dripping of rain.

14House and wealth are inherited from fathers,

but a prudent wife is from the LORD.

15Slothfulness casts into a deep sleep,

and an idle person will suffer hunger.

16He who keeps the commandment keeps his life;

he who despises the word19.16 Cn Compare 13.13: Heb his ways will die.

17He who is kind to the poor lends to the LORD,

and he will repay him for his deed.

18Discipline your son while there is hope;

do not set your heart on his destruction.

19A man of great wrath will pay the penalty;

for if you deliver him, you will only have to do it again.19.19 Heb obscure

20Listen to advice and accept instruction,

that you may gain wisdom for the future.

21Many are the plans in the mind of a man,

but it is the purpose of the LORD that will be established.

22What is desired in a man is loyalty,

and a poor man is better than a liar.

23The fear of the LORD leads to life;

and he who has it rests satisfied;

he will not be visited by harm.

24The sluggard buries his hand in the dish,

and will not even bring it back to his mouth.

25Strike a scoffer, and the simple will learn prudence;

reprove a man of understanding, and he will gain knowledge.

26He who does violence to his father and chases away his mother

is a son who causes shame and brings reproach.

27Cease, my son, to hear instruction

only to stray from the words of knowledge.

28A worthless witness mocks at justice,

and the mouth of the wicked devours iniquity.

29Condemnation is ready for scoffers,

and flogging for the backs of fools.