Proverbs 19
Amplified Bible
On Life and Conduct
19 Better is a poor man who walks in his integrity
Than a [rich] man who is twisted in his speech and is a [shortsighted] fool.
2
Also it is not good for a person to be without knowledge,
And he who hurries with his feet [acting impulsively and proceeding without caution or analyzing the consequences] sins (misses the mark).
3
The foolishness of man undermines his way [ruining whatever he undertakes];
Then his heart is resentful and rages against the Lord [for, being a fool, he blames the Lord instead of himself].
4
Wealth makes many friends,
But a poor man is separated from his friend.(A)
5
A false witness will not go unpunished,
And he who breathes out lies will not escape.(B)
6
Many will seek the favor of a generous and noble man,
And everyone is a friend to him who gives gifts.
7
All the brothers of a poor man hate him;
How much more do his friends abandon him!
He pursues them with words, but they are gone.
8
He who gains wisdom and good sense loves (preserves) his own soul;
He who keeps understanding will find good and prosper.
9
A false witness will not go unpunished,
And he who breathes lies will perish.
10
Luxury is not fitting for a fool;
Much less for a slave to rule over princes.
11
Good sense and discretion make a man slow to anger,
And it is his honor and glory to overlook a transgression or an offense [without seeking revenge and harboring resentment].
12
The king’s wrath terrifies like the roaring of a lion,
But his favor is as [refreshing and nourishing as] dew on the grass.(C)
13
A foolish (ungodly) son is destruction to his father,
And the contentions of a [quarrelsome] wife are like a constant dripping [of water].
14
House and wealth are the inheritance from fathers,
But a wise, understanding, and sensible wife is [a gift and blessing] from the Lord.(D)
15
Laziness casts one into a deep sleep [unmindful of lost opportunity],
And the idle person will suffer hunger.
16
He who keeps and obeys the commandment [of the Lord] keeps (guards) his own life,
But he who is careless of his ways and conduct will die.(E)
17
He who is gracious and lends a hand to the poor lends to the Lord,
And the Lord will repay him for his good deed.(F)
18
Discipline and teach your son while there is hope,
And do not [indulge your anger or resentment by imposing inappropriate punishment nor] desire his destruction.
19
A man of great anger will bear the penalty [for his quick temper and lack of self-control];
For if you rescue him [and do not let him learn from the consequences of his action], you will only have to rescue him over and over again.
20
Listen to counsel, receive instruction, and accept correction,
That you may be wise in the time to come.
21
Many plans are in a man’s mind,
But it is the Lord’s purpose for him that will stand (be carried out).(G)
22
That which is desirable in a man is his loyalty and unfailing love,
But it is better to be a poor man than a [wealthy] liar.
23
The fear of the Lord leads to life,
So that one may sleep satisfied, untouched by evil.(H)
24
The lazy man buries his hand in the [food] dish,
But will not even bring it to his mouth again.
25
Strike a scoffer [for refusing to learn], and the naive may [be warned and] become prudent;
Reprimand one who has understanding and a teachable spirit, and he will gain knowledge and insight.
26
He who assaults his father and chases away his mother
Is a son who brings shame and disgrace.(I)
27
Cease listening, my son, to instruction and discipline
And you will stray from the words of knowledge.
28
A wicked and worthless witness mocks justice,
And the mouth of the wicked spreads iniquity.
29
Judgments are prepared for scoffers,
And beatings for the backs of [thickheaded] fools.(J)
Proverbs 19
EasyEnglish Bible
19 It is better to be poor and honest,
than to be a fool who speaks lies.
2 If you want to do something but you do not know how to do it,
that is dangerous!
If you hurry to do it, you will get into trouble.
3 Some people do silly things and so they destroy themselves.
Then they get angry with the Lord.
4 Rich people can easily find new friends.
But poor people will easily lose their friends.
5 If you tell lies in court, the judge will certainly punish you.
You will not go free!
6 Many people want an important person to like them.
Everyone wants to be the friend of someone who gives lots of gifts.
7 If someone is poor, all his family hate him.
His friends stay away from him.
Even if he goes to ask them for help,
he cannot find them anywhere.
8 If you learn to be wise,
it shows that you love yourself.
If you understand what is right,
you will do well.
9 If you tell lies in court, the judge will certainly punish you.
That will be the end of you!
10 Fools should not live like rich people.
Even worse, slaves should never have authority over rulers.
11 If someone is wise, he controls his anger.
When anyone hurts him, he is careful to forget it.
12 When the king is angry, he makes people afraid,
like a lion that roars.
But when he is pleased with you,
that is like dew on fresh grass.
13 A foolish child will destroy his father.
A woman who quarrels with her husband is like rain that never stops.
14 Your parents may give you riches and a house to live in.
But only the Lord can give you a wise wife.
15 A lazy person cannot wake up from sleep.
If he does no work, he will always be hungry.
16 If you obey God's commands, you will keep your life safe.
If you do not respect his teaching, you will die.
17 If you are kind to poor people, you are lending money to the Lord.
He will pay back the debt to you.
18 When your children do wrong things,
warn them while you still have the chance.
If you do not punish them,
you are helping them to go to an early death.
19 Anyone who cannot control his anger is always getting into trouble.
If you try to help him once, you will have to do it every time.
20 Accept advice and good teaching.
Then you will become wise one day.
21 You may have lots of ideas about what you want to do.
But it is the Lord's plans that are important.
22 We all want other people to show faithful love.
It is better to be poor than to deceive other people.
23 If you respect and obey the Lord,
you will enjoy life.
You will have peace in your mind
and no trouble will destroy you.
24 A lazy person pushes his hand into his bowl of food.
But then he is too lazy to lift his hand up to his mouth.
25 If you beat a proud fool,
a silly person may learn to be careful.
If you warn a wise person,
he himself will learn a lesson.
26 Anyone who robs his father or chases away his mother
is a bad son who brings shame to his family.
27 My child, never stop learning about what is right.
If you stop learning, you will soon forget what you already know.
28 If someone tells lies in court, he is laughing at justice.
Evil things are food that wicked people love to eat.
29 People who laugh at what is right will receive their punishment.
Fools will be beaten, as they deserve.
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