Proverbs 19

3THE folly of a man destroyeth his ways; but in his heart he blameth God.

4Wealth maketh many friends; but a poor man is forsaken by the only friend he hath.

5A false witness shall not go unpunished; and he who accuseth unjustly shall not escape.

6Many court the favour of kings; but everyone who is wicked is a disgrace to a man in power.

7Everyone who hateth a brother in distress shall be far from friendship. Good understanding will approach them who know it, and a prudent man will find it. He who doeth much evil perfecteth wickedness; and he who useth irritating words shall not be safe.

8He who procureth wisdom loveth himself; and he who keepeth it shall find good things.

9Let not a false witness go unpunished; and let him who kindleth mischief perish by it.

10It is not seemly for a fool to enjoy delicacies; nor for a servant to begin to domineer with haughtiness.

11A merciful man is slow to wrath; and his exhultation is over transgressors.

12The threat of a king is like the roaring of a lion; but his favour is like dew on the grass.

13A foolish son is a shame to a father. Vows for the hire of a harlot are not pure.

14Fathers bequeath houses and wealth to children; but the Lord accommodateth a wife to a husband.

15Fear restraineth the effeminate; but the soul of the slothful shall suffer want.

16He who keepeth a command preserveth his soul; but he who despiseth his own ways shall perish.

17He who is kind to the poor lendeth to God; and according to his gift he will repay him.

18Chasten thy son, for thus he will be hopeful; but be not in thy soul transported to haughtiness.

19Let a malicious man be fined high; but if he take away life, let him forfeit his own.

20Hear my son, the instruction of thy father that thou mayst be wise in thy latter days.

21There are many thoughts in a man’s heart; but the counsel of the Lord shall endure forever.

22Beneficence is a crop for a man: and a poor just man is better than a rich liar.

23The fear of the Lord conduceth to a man’s life: but he who is fearless will lodge in places where knowledge doth not watch.

24He who hideth his hands in his bosom unjustly; should not bring them out for his mouth.

25When a criminal is scourged, a simpleton [merely] becometh more wary: but if thou rebukest a wise man, he will call to mind discernment.

26He who bringeth dishonour on a father and causeth his mother to flee shall be exposed to shame and shall be reproached.