Proverbs 19

3 A person’s foolishness ruins his ways, yet in his heart he blames God.

4 Wealth adds many friends, but a poor person is abandoned even by the friend he has.

5 A false witness will not go unpunished, and whoever makes an unjust accusation will not escape.

6 Many people court kings, but every evil person becomes a reproach to another.

7 Whoever hates a poor brother will also be far from friendship. A good thought draws near to those who know it, and a discerning person will find it. Whoever does much harm brings evil to completion, and whoever provokes with words will not be saved.

8 Whoever gains discernment loves himself, and whoever guards discernment will find good things.

9 A false witness will not go unpunished, and whoever kindles evil will perish by it.

10 Luxury does not suit a fool, nor does it suit a servant to begin ruling with arrogance.

11 A merciful person is patient, and his triumph overtakes lawbreakers.

12 A king’s threat is like a lion’s roar, but his cheerfulness is like dew on the grass.

13 A foolish son is a disgrace to his father, and vows paid from a prostitute’s wages are not pure.

14 Fathers divide a house and possessions among their children, but a wife is joined to a man by God.

15 Cowardice grips an effeminate man, and an idle person’s soul will hunger.

16 Whoever keeps a command guards his own soul, but whoever despises his own ways will perish.

17 Whoever shows mercy to a poor person lends to God, and God will repay him according to his gift.

18 Discipline your son, for then he will have hope, but do not exalt your soul toward arrogance.

19 A malicious person will suffer heavy loss, and if he causes destruction, he will lose his life as well.

20 Listen, my son, to your father’s instruction so that you may be wise at the end of your life.

21 Many plans are in a person’s heart, but the Lord’s counsel remains forever.

22 An act of mercy is fruit for a person, and a righteous poor person is better than a rich liar.

23 The fear of the Lord brings life to a person, but the fearless will lodge in places where knowledge is not observed.

24 Whoever unjustly keeps his hands folded in his lap will not even raise them to his mouth.

25 When a pestilent person is flogged, a fool becomes shrewder; if you correct a discerning person, he will understand perception.

26 Whoever dishonors his father and drives away his mother will be disgraced and reproached.

27 A son who stops guarding his father’s instruction will meditate on evil sayings.

28 Whoever guarantees a foolish child insults a rule, and the mouth of the ungodly swallows judgments.

29 Whips are prepared for the undisciplined, and punishments for the backs of fools.