Proverbs 19 ASV
Summary: This chapter prefers "a poor person who walks in his integrity" over one "crooked in speech" who is rich and a fool (v. 1), and observes that house and wealth are inherited from fathers, "but a prudent wife is from the LORD" (v. 14). It teaches that "good sense makes one slow to anger" (v. 11), and that "whoever is generous to the poor lends to the LORD, and he will repay him for his deed" (v. 17). The chapter also urges disciplining a child while there is hope rather than being party to his death through indulgence, and closes warning against drunkenness, gluttony, and the folly of a household plagued by a quarrelsome wife, while commending listening to counsel and accepting instruction for the sake of future wisdom.
1Better is the poor that walketh in his integrity Than he that is perverse in his lips and is a fool.
2Also, that the soul be without knowledge is not good; And he that hasteth with his feet sinneth.
3The foolishness of man subverteth his way; And his heart fretteth against Jehovah.
4Wealth addeth many friends; But the poor is separated from his friend.
5A false witness shall not be unpunished; And he that uttereth lies shall not escape.
6Many will entreat the favor of the liberal man; And every man is a friend to him that giveth gifts.
7All the brethren of the poor do hate him: How much more do his friends go far from him! He pursueth them with words, but they are gone.
8He that getteth wisdom loveth his own soul: He that keepeth understanding shall find good.
9A false witness shall not be unpunished; And he that uttereth lies shall perish.
10Delicate living is not seemly for a fool; Much less for a servant to have rule over princes.
11The discretion of a man maketh him slow to anger; And it is his glory to pass over a transgression.
12The king’s wrath is as the roaring of a lion; But his favor is as dew upon the grass.
13A foolish son is the calamity of his father; And the contentions of a wife are a continual dropping.
14House and riches are an inheritance from fathers; But a prudent wife is from Jehovah.
15Slothfulness casteth into a deep sleep; And the idle soul shall suffer hunger.
16He that keepeth the commandment keepeth his soul; But he that is careless of his ways shall die.
17He that hath pity upon the poor lendeth unto Jehovah, And his good deed will he pay him again.
18Chasten thy son, seeing there is hope; And set not thy heart on his destruction.
19A man of great wrath shall bear the penalty; For if thou deliver him, thou must do it yet again.
20Hear counsel, and receive instruction, That thou mayest be wise in thy latter end.
21There are many devices in a man’s heart; But the counsel of Jehovah, that shall stand.
22That which maketh a man to be desired is his kindness; And a poor man is better than a liar.
23The fear of Jehovah tendeth to life; And he that hath it shall abide satisfied; He shall not be visited with evil.
24The sluggard burieth his hand in the dish, And will not so much as bring it to his mouth again.
25Smite a scoffer, and the simple will learn prudence; And reprove one that hath understanding, and he will understand knowledge.
26He that doeth violence to his father, and chaseth away his mother, Is a son that causeth shame and bringeth reproach.
27Cease, my son, to hear instruction Only to err from the words of knowledge.
28A worthless witness mocketh at justice; And the mouth of the wicked swalloweth iniquity.
29Judgments are prepared for scoffers, And stripes for the back of fools.
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