Proverbs 19

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 lies.

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

2Wanting something badly is not good if you do not know the facts. If you rush too fast, you will go wrong.

NoteThe KJV says 'that the soul be without knowledge.' Here 'soul' means a person's eager wanting, not a ghost. The verse is about rushing to act before you know the facts.

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

3A person makes a mess of his own life by acting foolish. Then his heart gets angry at the LORD for it.

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

4Money brings a person lots of friends. But a poor person is left all alone.

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

5A person who lies in court will be punished. Someone who tells 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 a ruler to like them. Everyone wants to be friends with a person 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.

7Even a poor man's brothers stay away from him. His friends stay away even more. He begs them with words, but they are not there.

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

8The person who gets wisdom is being good to himself. 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 person who lies in court will be punished. Someone who tells lies will be destroyed.

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

10Living in comfort does not fit a fool. It fits even less for a servant to rule over princes.

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

11A wise person thinks first and does not get angry fast. It is a good and honorable thing to forgive a wrong.

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

12When a king is angry, it is like a lion roaring. When he is pleased, it is like cool 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 always argues is like a leaky roof that drips and drips.

Note'Continual dropping' means water dripping from a leaky roof, over and over, until it drives you crazy.

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 parents. But a wise wife is a gift 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.

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

16The person who obeys the rule keeps his own life safe. The one who does not care 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 the poor is like lending money to the LORD. He will pay that person back.

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

18Correct your son while he can still learn. Do not help him ruin his own life.

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

19A person with a big temper has to pay for it. If you rescue him, 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 take 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 it is the LORD's plan that will happen.

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

22What people want from others is kindness. 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.

23Loving and obeying the LORD leads to life. That person can rest and feel safe from harm.

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

24A lazy person puts his hand in the food bowl. Then he is too lazy to lift it to his mouth.

NoteThe KJV says the lazy man 'hideth his hand in his bosom.' The old picture is a hand dipped into a shared bowl of food at a meal.

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

25Punish a person who makes fun of others, and a simple person learns to be careful. Correct a wise person, 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 hurts his father and pushes his mother out of the house brings shame on the family.

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

27My son, if you stop listening to teaching, you will wander away from what is true.

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

28A witness who lies makes fun of doing what is right. A wicked person's mouth swallows up evil.

Note'Devoureth iniquity' means the wicked person gulps down bad things the way a hungry person gulps down food.

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

29Punishment is waiting for people who make fun of what is right. Beatings are waiting for the backs of fools.