19 (A)Better is a poor person who (B)walks in his integrity
    than one who is crooked in speech and is a fool.
Desire[a] without knowledge is not good,
    and whoever (C)makes haste with his feet misses his way.
When a man's folly (D)brings his way to ruin,
    his heart (E)rages against the Lord.
(F)Wealth brings many new friends,
    (G)but a poor man is deserted by his friend.
(H)A false witness will not go unpunished,
    and he who (I)breathes out lies will not escape.
Many seek the favor of a generous man,[b]
    and everyone is a friend to a man who gives (J)gifts.
(K)All a poor man's brothers hate him;
    (L)how much more do his friends go far from him!
He pursues them with words, but does not have them.[c]
(M)Whoever gets sense loves his own soul;
    he who keeps understanding will (N)discover good.
(O)A false witness will not go unpunished,
    and he who (P)breathes out lies will perish.
10 (Q)It is not fitting for a fool to live in luxury,
    much less for (R)a slave to rule over princes.
11 (S)Good sense makes one slow to anger,
    and it is his glory to overlook an offense.
12 A king's wrath is like (T)the growling of a lion,
    but his (U)favor is like (V)dew on the grass.
13 (W)A foolish son is ruin to his father,
    and (X)a wife's quarreling is (Y)a continual dripping of rain.
14 (Z)House and wealth are inherited from fathers,
    but a prudent wife is (AA)from the Lord.
15 (AB)Slothfulness casts into (AC)a deep sleep,
    and (AD)an idle person will suffer hunger.
16 Whoever (AE)keeps the commandment keeps his life;
    he who despises his ways will die.
17 (AF)Whoever is generous to the poor lends to the Lord,
    and he (AG)will repay him for his (AH)deed.
18 (AI)Discipline your son, for there is hope;
    do not set your heart on (AJ)putting him to death.
19 A man of great wrath will pay the penalty,
    for if you deliver him, you will only have to do it again.
20 Listen to advice and accept instruction,
    that you may gain wisdom in (AK)the future.
21 (AL)Many are the plans in the mind of a man,
    but (AM)it is the purpose of the Lord (AN)that will stand.
22 What is desired in a man is steadfast love,
    and a poor man is better than a liar.
23 The fear of the Lord (AO)leads to life,
    and whoever has it rests (AP)satisfied;
    he will (AQ)not be visited by harm.
24 (AR)The sluggard buries his hand in (AS)the dish
    and will not even bring it back to his mouth.
25 (AT)Strike (AU)a scoffer, and the simple will (AV)learn prudence;
    (AW)reprove a man of understanding, and he will gain knowledge.
26 He who does violence to his father and chases away his mother
    is (AX)a son who brings shame and reproach.
27 Cease to hear instruction, my son,
    (AY)and you will stray from the words of knowledge.
28 A worthless witness mocks at justice,
    and the mouth of the wicked (AZ)devours iniquity.
29 Condemnation is ready for (BA)scoffers,
    and (BB)beating for the backs of fools.
20 (BC)Wine is a mocker, (BD)strong drink a brawler,
    and whoever (BE)is led astray by it is not wise.[d]
The terror of a king is like (BF)the growling of a lion;
    whoever provokes him to anger (BG)forfeits his life.
It is an honor for a man to (BH)keep aloof from strife,
    but every fool will be quarreling.
(BI)The sluggard does not plow in the autumn;
    (BJ)he will seek at harvest and have nothing.
The purpose in a man's heart is like (BK)deep water,
    but a man of understanding will draw it out.
Many a man (BL)proclaims his own steadfast love,
    but (BM)a faithful man who can find?
The righteous who (BN)walks in his integrity—
    (BO)blessed are his children after him!
(BP)A king who sits on the throne of judgment
    (BQ)winnows all evil with his eyes.
(BR)Who can say, “I have made my heart pure;
    I am clean from my sin”?
10 (BS)Unequal[e] weights and unequal measures
    are both alike an abomination to the Lord.
11 Even a child (BT)makes himself known by his acts,
    by whether his conduct is pure and upright.[f]
12 (BU)The hearing ear and the seeing eye,
    (BV)the Lord has made them both.
13 (BW)Love not sleep, lest you (BX)come to poverty;
    open your eyes, and you will have (BY)plenty of bread.
14 “Bad, bad,” says the buyer,
    but when he goes away, then he boasts.
15 There is gold and abundance of (BZ)costly stones,
    (CA)but the lips of knowledge are a precious jewel.
16 (CB)Take a man's garment when he has put up security for a stranger,
    and (CC)hold it in pledge when he puts up security for foreigners.[g]
17 (CD)Bread gained by deceit is sweet to a man,
    but afterward his mouth will be full of (CE)gravel.
18 (CF)Plans are established by counsel;
    by (CG)wise guidance (CH)wage war.
19 Whoever (CI)goes about slandering reveals secrets;
    therefore do not associate with (CJ)a simple babbler.[h]
20 (CK)If one curses his father or his mother,
    (CL)his lamp will be put out in utter darkness.
21 (CM)An inheritance gained hastily in the beginning
    will not be blessed in the end.
22 Do not say, (CN)“I will repay evil”;
    (CO)wait for the Lord, and he will deliver you.
23 (CP)Unequal weights are an abomination to the Lord,
    and (CQ)false scales are not good.
24 A man's (CR)steps are from the Lord;
    how then can man understand his way?
25 It is a snare to say rashly, “It is holy,”
    and to reflect only (CS)after making vows.
26 A wise king (CT)winnows the wicked
    and drives (CU)the wheel over them.
27 (CV)The spirit[i] of man is the lamp of the Lord,
    (CW)searching all (CX)his innermost parts.
28 (CY)Steadfast love and faithfulness preserve the king,
    and by steadfast love his (CZ)throne is upheld.
29 The glory of young men is their strength,
    but (DA)the splendor of old men is their gray hair.
30 (DB)Blows that wound cleanse away evil;
    strokes make clean (DC)the innermost parts.
21 The king's heart is a stream of water in the hand of the Lord;
    he (DD)turns it wherever he will.
(DE)Every way of a man is right in his own eyes,
    but the Lord (DF)weighs the heart.
(DG)To do righteousness and justice
    is more acceptable to the Lord than sacrifice.
(DH)Haughty eyes and a proud heart,
    (DI)the lamp[j] of the wicked, are sin.
The plans of (DJ)the diligent lead surely to abundance,
    but everyone who is (DK)hasty comes (DL)only to poverty.
(DM)The getting of treasures by a lying tongue
    is a (DN)fleeting (DO)vapor and a (DP)snare of death.[k]
The violence of the wicked will (DQ)sweep them away,
    because they refuse to do what is just.
The way of the guilty (DR)is crooked,
    but the conduct of the pure is upright.
It is (DS)better to live in a corner of the housetop
    than in a house shared with a quarrelsome wife.
10 The soul of the wicked desires evil;
    his neighbor finds no mercy in his eyes.
11 When (DT)a scoffer is punished, the simple becomes wise;
    when a wise man is instructed, he gains knowledge.
12 The Righteous One (DU)observes the house of the wicked;
    he throws the wicked down to ruin.
13 (DV)Whoever closes his ear to the cry of the poor
    will himself call out and not be answered.
14 (DW)A gift in secret averts anger,
    and a concealed bribe,[l] strong wrath.
15 When justice is done, it is a joy to the righteous
    (DX)but terror to evildoers.
16 One who wanders from the way of good sense
    (DY)will rest in the assembly of the dead.
17 Whoever loves pleasure will be a poor man;
    he who loves wine and oil will not be rich.
18 (DZ)The wicked is a (EA)ransom for the righteous,
    and the traitor for the upright.
19 It is (EB)better to live in a desert land
    than with a quarrelsome and fretful woman.
20 (EC)Precious treasure and oil are in a wise man's dwelling,
    but a foolish man (ED)devours it.
21 Whoever (EE)pursues righteousness and kindness
    will find (EF)life, righteousness, and honor.
22 (EG)A wise man scales the city of the mighty
    and brings down the stronghold in which they trust.
23 (EH)Whoever keeps his mouth and his tongue
    (EI)keeps himself out of (EJ)trouble.
24 (EK)“Scoffer” is the name of the arrogant, haughty man
    who acts with arrogant pride.
25 The desire of (EL)the sluggard kills him,
    for his hands refuse to labor.
26 All day long he craves and craves,
    but the righteous (EM)gives and does not hold back.
27 (EN)The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination;
    how much more (EO)when he brings it with evil intent.
28 (EP)A false witness will perish,
    but the word of a man who hears will endure.
29 A wicked man puts on a bold face,
    but the upright (EQ)gives thought to[m] his ways.
30 (ER)No wisdom, no understanding, no counsel
    can avail against the Lord.
31 (ES)The horse is made ready for the day of battle,
    but (ET)the victory belongs to the Lord.

Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 19:2 Or A soul
  2. Proverbs 19:6 Or of a noble
  3. Proverbs 19:7 The meaning of the Hebrew sentence is uncertain
  4. Proverbs 20:1 Or will not become wise
  5. Proverbs 20:10 Or Two kinds of; also verse 23
  6. Proverbs 20:11 Or Even a child can dissemble in his actions, though his conduct seems pure and upright
  7. Proverbs 20:16 Or for an adulteress (compare 27:13)
  8. Proverbs 20:19 Hebrew with one who is simple in his lips
  9. Proverbs 20:27 Hebrew breath
  10. Proverbs 21:4 Or the plowing
  11. Proverbs 21:6 Some Hebrew manuscripts, Septuagint, Latin; most Hebrew manuscripts vapor for those who seek death
  12. Proverbs 21:14 Hebrew a bribe in the bosom
  13. Proverbs 21:29 Or establishes

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

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

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

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

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

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

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)

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

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

10 It is not fitting for a fool(O) to live in luxury—
    how much worse for a slave to rule over princes!(P)

11 A person’s wisdom yields patience;(Q)
    it is to one’s glory to overlook an offense.

12 A king’s rage is like the roar of a lion,(R)
    but his favor is like dew(S) on the grass.(T)

13 A foolish child is a father’s ruin,(U)
    and a quarrelsome wife is like
    the constant dripping of a leaky roof.(V)

14 Houses and wealth are inherited from parents,(W)
    but a prudent wife is from the Lord.(X)

15 Laziness brings on deep sleep,
    and the shiftless go hungry.(Y)

16 Whoever keeps commandments keeps their life,
    but whoever shows contempt for their ways will die.(Z)

17 Whoever is kind to the poor lends to the Lord,(AA)
    and he will reward them for what they have done.(AB)

18 Discipline your children, for in that there is hope;
    do not be a willing party to their death.(AC)

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,(AD)
    and at the end you will be counted among the wise.(AE)

21 Many are the plans in a person’s heart,
    but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails.(AF)

22 What a person desires is unfailing love[b];
    better to be poor than a liar.

23 The fear of the Lord leads to life;
    then one rests content, untouched by trouble.(AG)

24 A sluggard buries his hand in the dish;
    he will not even bring it back to his mouth!(AH)

25 Flog a mocker, and the simple will learn prudence;
    rebuke the discerning,(AI) and they will gain knowledge.(AJ)

26 Whoever robs their father and drives out their mother(AK)
    is a child who brings shame and disgrace.

27 Stop listening to instruction, my son,(AL)
    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.(AM)

29 Penalties are prepared for mockers,
    and beatings for the backs of fools.(AN)

20 Wine(AO) is a mocker(AP) and beer a brawler;
    whoever is led astray(AQ) by them is not wise.(AR)

A king’s wrath strikes terror like the roar of a lion;(AS)
    those who anger him forfeit their lives.(AT)

It is to one’s honor to avoid strife,
    but every fool(AU) is quick to quarrel.(AV)

Sluggards(AW) do not plow in season;
    so at harvest time they look but find nothing.(AX)

The purposes of a person’s heart are deep waters,(AY)
    but one who has insight draws them out.

Many claim to have unfailing love,
    but a faithful person who can find?(AZ)

The righteous lead blameless lives;(BA)
    blessed are their children after them.(BB)

When a king sits on his throne to judge,(BC)
    he winnows out all evil with his eyes.(BD)

Who can say, “I have kept my heart pure;(BE)
    I am clean and without sin”?(BF)

10 Differing weights and differing measures—
    the Lord detests them both.(BG)

11 Even small children are known by their actions,
    so is their conduct really pure(BH) and upright?

12 Ears that hear and eyes that see—
    the Lord has made them both.(BI)

13 Do not love sleep or you will grow poor;(BJ)
    stay awake and you will have food to spare.

14 “It’s no good, it’s no good!” says the buyer—
    then goes off and boasts about the purchase.

15 Gold there is, and rubies in abundance,
    but lips that speak knowledge are a rare jewel.

16 Take the garment of one who puts up security for a stranger;
    hold it in pledge(BK) if it is done for an outsider.(BL)

17 Food gained by fraud tastes sweet,(BM)
    but one ends up with a mouth full of gravel.(BN)

18 Plans are established by seeking advice;
    so if you wage war, obtain guidance.(BO)

19 A gossip betrays a confidence;(BP)
    so avoid anyone who talks too much.

20 If someone curses their father or mother,(BQ)
    their lamp will be snuffed out in pitch darkness.(BR)

21 An inheritance claimed too soon
    will not be blessed at the end.

22 Do not say, “I’ll pay you back for this wrong!”(BS)
    Wait for the Lord, and he will avenge you.(BT)

23 The Lord detests differing weights,
    and dishonest scales do not please him.(BU)

24 A person’s steps are directed(BV) by the Lord.(BW)
    How then can anyone understand their own way?(BX)

25 It is a trap to dedicate something rashly
    and only later to consider one’s vows.(BY)

26 A wise king winnows out the wicked;
    he drives the threshing wheel over them.(BZ)

27 The human spirit is[c] the lamp of the Lord(CA)
    that sheds light on one’s inmost being.(CB)

28 Love and faithfulness keep a king safe;
    through love(CC) his throne is made secure.(CD)

29 The glory of young men is their strength,
    gray hair the splendor of the old.(CE)

30 Blows and wounds scrub(CF) away evil,
    and beatings(CG) purge the inmost being.

21 In the Lord’s hand the king’s heart is a stream of water
    that he channels toward all who please him.(CH)

A person may think their own ways are right,
    but the Lord weighs the heart.(CI)

To do what is right and just
    is more acceptable to the Lord than sacrifice.(CJ)

Haughty eyes(CK) and a proud heart—
    the unplowed field of the wicked—produce sin.

The plans of the diligent lead to profit(CL)
    as surely as haste leads to poverty.

A fortune made by a lying tongue
    is a fleeting vapor and a deadly snare.[d](CM)

The violence of the wicked will drag them away,(CN)
    for they refuse to do what is right.

The way of the guilty is devious,(CO)
    but the conduct of the innocent is upright.

Better to live on a corner of the roof
    than share a house with a quarrelsome wife.(CP)

10 The wicked crave evil;
    their neighbors get no mercy from them.

11 When a mocker is punished, the simple gain wisdom;
    by paying attention to the wise they get knowledge.(CQ)

12 The Righteous One[e] takes note of the house of the wicked
    and brings the wicked to ruin.(CR)

13 Whoever shuts their ears to the cry of the poor
    will also cry out(CS) and not be answered.(CT)

14 A gift given in secret soothes anger,
    and a bribe concealed in the cloak pacifies great wrath.(CU)

15 When justice is done, it brings joy to the righteous
    but terror to evildoers.(CV)

16 Whoever strays from the path of prudence
    comes to rest in the company of the dead.(CW)

17 Whoever loves pleasure will become poor;
    whoever loves wine and olive oil will never be rich.(CX)

18 The wicked become a ransom(CY) for the righteous,
    and the unfaithful for the upright.

19 Better to live in a desert
    than with a quarrelsome and nagging wife.(CZ)

20 The wise store up choice food and olive oil,
    but fools gulp theirs down.

21 Whoever pursues righteousness and love
    finds life, prosperity[f](DA) and honor.(DB)

22 One who is wise can go up against the city of the mighty(DC)
    and pull down the stronghold in which they trust.

23 Those who guard their mouths(DD) and their tongues
    keep themselves from calamity.(DE)

24 The proud and arrogant person(DF)—“Mocker” is his name—
    behaves with insolent fury.

25 The craving of a sluggard will be the death of him,(DG)
    because his hands refuse to work.
26 All day long he craves for more,
    but the righteous(DH) give without sparing.(DI)

27 The sacrifice of the wicked is detestable(DJ)
    how much more so when brought with evil intent!(DK)

28 A false witness(DL) will perish,(DM)
    but a careful listener will testify successfully.

29 The wicked put up a bold front,
    but the upright give thought to their ways.(DN)

30 There is no wisdom,(DO) no insight, no plan
    that can succeed against the Lord.(DP)

31 The horse is made ready for the day of battle,
    but victory rests with the Lord.(DQ)

Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 19:7 The meaning of the Hebrew for this sentence is uncertain.
  2. Proverbs 19:22 Or Greed is a person’s shame
  3. Proverbs 20:27 Or A person’s words are
  4. Proverbs 21:6 Some Hebrew manuscripts, Septuagint and Vulgate; most Hebrew manuscripts vapor for those who seek death
  5. Proverbs 21:12 Or The righteous person
  6. Proverbs 21:21 Or righteousness