Proverbs 19 :: Christian Standard Bible (CSB)

Better a poor person who lives with integrity

than someone who has deceitful lips and is a fool.

Even zeal is not good without knowledge,

and the one who acts hastily[fn] sins.

A person’s own foolishness leads him astray,

yet his heart rages against the LORD.

Wealth attracts many friends,

but a poor person is separated from his friend.

A false witness will not go unpunished,

and one who utters lies will not escape.

Many seek a ruler’s favor,

and everyone is a friend of one who gives gifts.

All the brothers of a poor person hate him;

how much more do his friends

keep their distance from him!

He may pursue them with words,

but they are not there.[fn]

The one who acquires good sense[fn] loves himself;

one who safeguards understanding finds success.

A false witness will not go unpunished,

and one who utters lies perishes.

Luxury is not appropriate for a fool ​— ​

how much less for a slave to rule over princes!

A person’s insight gives him patience,

and his virtue is to overlook an offense.

A king’s rage is like the roaring of a lion,

but his favor is like dew on the grass.

A foolish son is his father’s ruin,

and a wife’s nagging is an endless dripping.

A house and wealth are inherited from fathers,

but a prudent wife is from the LORD.

Laziness induces deep sleep,

and a lazy person will go hungry.

The one who keeps commands preserves himself;

one who disregards[fn] his ways will die.

Kindness to the poor is a loan to the LORD,

and he will give a reward to the lender.[fn]

Discipline your son while there is hope;

don’t set your heart on being the cause of his death.[fn]

A person with intense anger bears the penalty;

if you rescue him, you’ll have to do it again.

Listen to counsel and receive instruction

so that you may be wise later in life.[fn]

Many plans are in a person’s heart,

but the LORD’s decree will prevail.

What is desirable in a person is his fidelity;

better to be a poor person than a liar.

The fear of the LORD leads to life;

one will sleep at night[fn] without danger.

The slacker buries his hand in the bowl;

he doesn’t even bring it back to his mouth!

Strike a mocker, and the inexperienced learn a lesson;

rebuke the discerning, and he gains knowledge.

The one who plunders his father and evicts his mother

is a disgraceful and shameful son.

If you stop listening to correction, my son,

you will stray from the words of knowledge.

A worthless witness mocks justice,

and a wicked mouth swallows iniquity.

Judgments are prepared for mockers,

and beatings for the backs of fools.