Proverbs 19:1-29 NIV
Better the poor whose walk is blameless than a fool whose lips are perverse. [2] Desire without knowledge is not good—how much more will hasty feet miss the way! [3] A person’s own folly leads to their ruin, yet their heart rages against the LORD. [4] Wealth attracts many friends, but even the closest friend of the poor person deserts them. [5] A false witness will not go unpunished, and whoever pours out lies will not go free. [6] Many curry favor with a ruler, and everyone is the friend of one who gives gifts. [7] The 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. [8] The one who gets wisdom loves life; the one who cherishes understanding will soon prosper. [9] A false witness will not go unpunished, and whoever pours out lies will perish. [10] It is not fitting for a fool to live in luxury—how much worse for a slave to rule over princes! [11] A person’s wisdom yields patience; it is to one’s glory to overlook an offense. [12] A king’s rage is like the roar of a lion, but his favor is like dew on the grass. [13] A foolish child is a father’s ruin, and a quarrelsome wife is like the constant dripping of a leaky roof. [14] Houses and wealth are inherited from parents, but a prudent wife is from the LORD. [15] Laziness brings on deep sleep, and the shiftless go hungry. [16] Whoever keeps commandments keeps their life, but whoever shows contempt for their ways will die. [17] Whoever is kind to the poor lends to the Lord, and he will reward them for what they have done. [18] Discipline your children, for in that there is hope; do not be a willing party to their death. [19] A hot-tempered person must pay the penalty; rescue them, and you will have to do it again. [20] Listen to advice and accept discipline, and at the end you will be counted among the wise. [21] Many are the plans in a person’s heart, but it is the LORD’s purpose that prevails. [22] What a person desires is unfailing love; better to be poor than a liar. [23] The fear of the LORD leads to life; then one rests content, untouched by trouble. [24] A sluggard buries his hand in the dish; he will not even bring it back to his mouth! [25] Flog a mocker, and the simple will learn prudence; rebuke the discerning, and they will gain knowledge. [26] Whoever robs their father and drives out their mother is a child who brings shame and disgrace. [27] Stop listening to instruction, my son, and you will stray from the words of knowledge. [28] A corrupt witness mocks at justice, and the mouth of the wicked gulps down evil. [29] Penalties are prepared for mockers, and beatings for the backs of fools.
