Proverbs

Better is the poor that walketh in his integrity, than he that is perverse in his lips, and is a fool.

1It is better to be poor and honest than to be a fool who twists the truth when he talks.

2Also, that the soul be without knowledge, it is not good; and he that hasteth with his feet sinneth.

2Wanting something badly is no good if you do not know what you are doing. If you rush ahead, you will go wrong.

NoteThe KJV says "the soul be without knowledge." It means a person's eagerness or drive, not a separate spirit inside them.

3The foolishness of man perverteth his way: and his heart fretteth against the LORD.

3A person's own foolish choices ruin his life. Then, inside, he is angry at the LORD about it.

4Wealth maketh many friends; but the poor is separated from his neighbour.

4Money brings a person many friends, but a poor person is left alone by the friend he had.

5A false witness shall not be unpunished, and he that speaketh lies shall not escape.

5A witness who lies in court will be punished. Anyone who keeps telling lies will not get away.

6Many will intreat the favour of the prince: and every man is a friend to him that giveth gifts.

6Many people try to get on the good side of a ruler. Everyone wants to be friends with someone who gives gifts.

7All the brethren of the poor do hate him: how much more do his friends go far from him? he pursueth them with words, yet they are wanting to him.

7A poor man's own brothers cannot stand him, so of course his friends stay far away. He chases after them, begging, but they are gone.

8He that getteth wisdom loveth his own soul: he that keepeth understanding shall find good.

8The person who gets wisdom is doing himself a favor. The one who holds on to good sense will do well.

9A false witness shall not be unpunished, and he that speaketh lies shall perish.

9A witness who lies in court will be punished. Anyone who keeps telling lies will be destroyed.

10Delight is not seemly for a fool; much less for a servant to have rule over princes.

10Comfort and luxury do not fit a fool. It fits even less for a servant to rule over princes.

Note"Delight is not seemly" means luxury and ease do not suit or look right on a fool.

11The discretion of a man deferreth his anger; and it is his glory to pass over a transgression.

11Good sense makes a person slow to get angry. It is to his credit when he lets an insult go.

12The king’s wrath is as the roaring of a lion; but his favour is as dew upon the grass.

12A king's anger is like a lion's roar. His kindness is like dew on the grass.

13A foolish son is the calamity of his father: and the contentions of a wife are a continual dropping.

13A foolish son ruins his father. A wife who is always arguing is like a leak that never stops dripping.

14House and riches are the inheritance of fathers: and a prudent wife is from the LORD.

14A house and money can be handed down from your father. But a wise wife comes from the LORD.

15Slothfulness casteth into a deep sleep; and an idle soul shall suffer hunger.

15Being lazy makes a person fall into a deep sleep. A person who will not work will go hungry.

Note"Suffer hunger" here means simply "go hungry." In 1611 English, "suffer" often meant to allow or to undergo.

16He that keepeth the commandment keepeth his own soul; but he that despiseth his ways shall die.

16Whoever obeys the command keeps himself safe. Whoever is careless about how he lives will die.

17He that hath pity upon the poor lendeth unto the LORD; and that which he hath given will he pay him again.

17Being kind to a poor person is like lending money to the LORD. The LORD will pay it back.

18Chasten thy son while there is hope, and let not thy soul spare for his crying.

18Correct your son while there is still hope. Do not let his crying stop you from doing it.

19A man of great wrath shall suffer punishment: for if thou deliver him, yet thou must do it again.

19A person with a bad temper has to pay for it. If you rescue him once, you will just have to do it again.

20Hear counsel, and receive instruction, that thou mayest be wise in thy latter end.

20Listen to advice and accept correction. Then you will be wise for the rest of your life.

21There are many devices in a man’s heart; nevertheless the counsel of the LORD, that shall stand.

21People make many plans in their hearts. But what the LORD has decided is what will happen.

22The desire of a man is his kindness: and a poor man is better than a liar.

22What people want in a person is loyal love. And it is better to be poor than to be a liar.

23The fear of the LORD tendeth to life: and he that hath it shall abide satisfied; he shall not be visited with evil.

23Respecting the LORD leads to life. The one who does it rests content and is not visited by harm.

24A slothful man hideth his hand in his bosom, and will not so much as bring it to his mouth again.

24A lazy man puts his hand in the bowl of food. He will not even bother to lift it to his mouth.

NoteThe KJV says the lazy man "hideth his hand in his bosom." The picture is of a man reaching into the shared bowl at a meal and then not bothering to finish the bite.

25Smite a scorner, and the simple will beware: and reprove one that hath understanding, and he will understand knowledge.

25Punish someone who mocks, and a person who knows no better will learn to be careful. Correct a person with sense, and he learns even more.

26He that wasteth his father, and chaseth away his mother, is a son that causeth shame, and bringeth reproach.

26A son who attacks his father and drives his mother out of the house brings shame and disgrace.

27Cease, my son, to hear the instruction that causeth to err from the words of knowledge.

27Stop listening to advice, my son, and you will wander away from what you know is true.

28An ungodly witness scorneth judgment: and the mouth of the wicked devoureth iniquity.

28A dishonest witness makes fun of justice. An evil person swallows down wrong as if it were food.

29Judgments are prepared for scorners, and stripes for the back of fools.

29Punishment is ready and waiting for those who mock. Beatings are ready for the backs of fools.