Better Poor and Honest
1Better a poor man who walks in his integrity than one whose lips are crooked and who is a fool. 2Desire without knowledge is not good, and whoever hurries his feet misses the way. 3A man’s own folly wrecks his way, and then his heart rages against Yahweh. 4Wealth adds many friends, but the poor man is deserted by the friend he had. 5A false witness will not go unpunished, and whoever breathes out lies will not escape. 6Many court the favor of a noble, and everyone is friend to a man who gives. 7All the brothers of a poor man hate him—how much further off, then, his friends. He goes after them with words, and words are all he has. 8Whoever gains sense loves his own life; whoever guards understanding will find good. 9A false witness will not go unpunished, and whoever breathes out lies will perish. 10Luxury does not suit a fool—much less a slave ruling over princes.
Slow to Anger
11A man’s good sense makes him slow to anger, and it is his glory to overlook an offense. 12A king’s rage is the growl of a lion, but his favor is dew on the grass. 13A foolish son is his father’s ruin, and a quarrelsome wife is a constant dripping. 14House and wealth are inherited from fathers, but a prudent wife is from Yahweh. 15Laziness brings on deep sleep, and the slack man goes hungry. 16Whoever keeps the commandment keeps his life; whoever is careless of his ways will die. 17Whoever is kind to the poor lends to Yahweh, and he will repay him for what he has done. 18Discipline your son while there is hope, but do not set your heart on his death. 19A hot-tempered man pays the penalty; rescue him once and you will have to do it again. 20Listen to counsel and accept discipline, so that in the end you may be wise.
Yahweh’s Counsel Stands
21Many are the plans in a man’s heart, but it is Yahweh’s counsel that stands. 22What is desirable in a man is his kindness, and better to be poor than a liar. 23The fear of Yahweh leads to life; a man rests satisfied and harm does not visit him. 24The sluggard buries his hand in the dish and will not even bring it back to his mouth. 25Strike a scoffer and the simple grow shrewd; reprove the discerning and he gains knowledge. 26Whoever assaults his father and drives out his mother is a son who brings shame and disgrace. 27Stop listening, my son, to discipline that leads you away from words of knowledge. 28A worthless witness makes a mockery of justice, and the mouth of the wicked swallows down evil. 29Judgments are ready for scoffers, and blows for the backs of fools.
