• The Counsel of Yahweh Will Stand

  • 1 Better is a poor man who walks in his integrity Than he who is crooked in lips and is a fool.
  • 2 Also it is not good for a person to be without knowledge, And he who hurries his footsteps sins.
  • 3 The folly of man subverts his way, But his heart rages against Yahweh.
  • 4 Wealth adds many friends, But a poor man is separated from his friend.
  • 5 A false witness will not go unpunished, And he who breathes out lies will not escape.
  • 6 Many will seek the favor of a noble man, And everyone is a friend to a man who gives gifts.
  • 7 All the brothers of a poor man hate him; How much more do his friends distance themselves from him! He pursues them with words, but they are no more.
  • 8 He who acquires a heart of wisdom loves his own soul; He who keeps discernment will find good.
  • 9 A false witness will not go unpunished, And he who breathes out lies will perish.
  • 10 Luxury is not fitting for a fool; Much less for a slave to rule over princes.
  • 11 A man’s insight makes him slow to anger, And it is his honor to overlook a transgression.
  • 12 The king’s wrath is like the roaring of a lion, But his favor is like dew on the grass.
  • 13 A foolish son is destruction to his father, And the contentions of a wife are a constant dripping.
  • 14 House and wealth are an inheritance from fathers, But a wife who has insight is from Yahweh.
  • 15 Laziness casts into a deep sleep, And a slack-handed soul will suffer hunger.
  • 16 He who keeps the commandment keeps his soul, But he who despises his way will die.
  • 17 He who is gracious to a poor man lends to Yahweh, And He will repay him for his bountiful deed.
  • 18 Discipline your son while there is hope, And do not direct your soul to put him to death.
  • 19 A man of great wrath will bear the penalty, For if you deliver him, you will only have to do it again.
  • 20 Listen to counsel and receive discipline, That you may be wise in the end of your days.
  • 21 Many thoughts are in a man’s heart, But it is the counsel of Yahweh that will stand.
  • 22 What is desirable in a man is his lovingkindness, And better is a poor man than a man of falsehood.
  • 23 The fear of Yahweh leads to life, So that one may sleep satisfied, not visited by evil.
  • 24 The sluggard buries his hand in the dish, But will not even bring it back to his mouth.
  • 25 Strike a scoffer and the simple may become prudent, But reprove one who has understanding and he will understand knowledge.
  • 26 He who assaults his father and causes his mother to flee Is a son who brings shame and humiliation.
  • 27 Cease listening, my son, to discipline, And you will stray from the words of knowledge.
  • 28 A vile witness scoffs at justice, And the mouth of the wicked swallows up iniquity.
  • 29 Judgments are established for scoffers, And beatings for the back of fools.