19 Better the poor whose walk is blameless
    than a fool whose lips are perverse.^(A)

² Desire without knowledge is not good—
    how much more will hasty feet miss the way!^(B)

³ A person’s own folly^(C) leads to their ruin,
    yet their heart rages against the Lord.^(D)

⁴ Wealth attracts many friends,
    but even the closest friend of the poor person deserts them.^(E)

⁵ A false witness^(F) will not go unpunished,^(G)
    and whoever pours out lies will not go free.^(H)

⁶ Many curry favor with a ruler,^(I)
    and everyone is the friend of one who gives gifts.^(J)

⁷ The poor are shunned by all their relatives—
    how much more do their friends avoid them!^(K)
Though the poor pursue them with pleading,
    they are nowhere to be found.^[a](L)

⁸ The one who gets wisdom loves life;
    the one who cherishes understanding will soon prosper.^(M)

⁹ A false witness will not go unpunished,
    and whoever pours out lies will perish.^(N)