• 1 Better is the poor who walks in his integrity Than one who is perverse in his lips, and is a fool.
  • 2 Also it is not good for a soul to be without knowledge, And he sins who hastens with his feet.
  • 3 The foolishness of a man twists his way, And his heart frets against the Lord.
  • 4 Wealth makes many friends, But the poor is separated from his friend.
  • 5 A false witness will not go unpunished, And he who speaks lies will not escape.
  • 6 Many entreat the favor of the nobility, And every man is a friend to one who gives gifts.
  • 7 All the brothers of the poor hate him; How much more do his friends go far from him! He may pursue them with words, yet they abandon him.
  • 8 He who gets wisdom loves his own soul; He who keeps understanding will find good.
  • 9 A false witness will not go unpunished, And he who speaks lies shall perish.
  • 10 Luxury is not fitting for a fool, Much less for a servant to rule over princes.
  • 11 The discretion of a man makes him slow to anger, And his glory is 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 the ruin of his father, And the contentions of a wife are a continual dripping.
  • 14 Houses and riches are an inheritance from fathers, But a prudent wife is from the Lord.
  • 15 Laziness casts one into a deep sleep, And an idle person will suffer hunger.
  • 16 He who keeps the commandment keeps his soul, But he who is careless of his ways will die.
  • 17 He who has pity on the poor lends to the Lord, And He will pay back what he has given.
  • 18 Chasten your son while there is hope, And do not set your heart on his destruction.
  • 19 A man of great wrath will suffer punishment; For if you rescue him, you will have to do it again.
  • 20 Listen to counsel and receive instruction, That you may be wise in your latter days.
  • 21 There are many plans in a man’s heart, Nevertheless the Lord’s counsel—that will stand.
  • 22 What is desired in a man is kindness, And a poor man is better than a liar.
  • 23 The fear of the Lord leads to life, And he who has it will abide in satisfaction; He will not be visited with evil.
  • 24 A lazy man buries his hand in the bowl, And will not so much as bring it to his mouth again.
  • 25 Strike a scoffer, and the simple will become wary; Rebuke one who has understanding, and he will discern knowledge.
  • 26 He who mistreats his father and chases away his mother Is a son who causes shame and brings reproach.
  • 27 Cease listening to instruction, my son, And you will stray from the words of knowledge.
  • 28 A disreputable witness scorns justice, And the mouth of the wicked devours iniquity.
  • 29 Judgments are prepared for scoffers, And beatings for the backs of fools.