1Better a poor man who walks with integrity
than a fool whose lips are perverse.
1Better is one being poor walking in his integrity than the one crooked in his lips, and he is a fool.
2Even zeal is no good without knowledge,
and he who hurries his footsteps misses the mark.
2Also, a soul without knowledge is not good; and the one hurrying with his feet is sinning.
3A man’s own folly subverts his way,
yet his heart rages against the LORD.
3The folly of a man perverts his way, and his heart rages against YHWH.
4Wealth attracts many friends,
but a poor man is deserted by his friend.
4Wealth adds many friends, and a poor one is separated from his friend.
5A false witness will not go unpunished,
and one who utters lies will not escape.
5A witness of falsehoods will not be acquitted, and the one breathing out lies will not escape.
6Many seek the favor of the prince,
and everyone is a friend of the gift giver.
6Many will entreat the face of a noble, and everyone is the friend to a man of gift.
7All the brothers of a poor man hate him—
how much more do his friends avoid him!
He may pursue them with pleading,
but they are nowhere to be found.
7All the brothers of a poor one hate him; surely also his friends are far from him! He pursues with words—they are nowhere.
8He who acquires wisdom loves himself;
one who safeguards understanding will find success.
8The one acquiring heart is loving his soul; the one guarding understanding will find good.
9A false witness will not go unpunished,
and one who pours out lies will perish.
9A witness of falsehoods will not be acquitted, and the one breathing out lies will perish.
10Luxury is unseemly for a fool—
how much worse for a slave to rule over princes!
10Luxury is not fitting for a fool—even less for a slave to rule over princes.
11A man’s insight gives him patience,
and his virtue is to overlook an offense.
11The discretion of a man makes long his nose, and his splendor is to pass over a transgression.
12A king’s rage is like the roar of a lion,
but his favor is like dew on the grass.
12The rage of a king is like the roaring of the young lion, and his favor is like dew on the grass.
13A foolish son is his father’s ruin,
and a quarrelsome wife is like a constant dripping.
13A foolish son is the ruin of his father, and the quarrels of a wife are a continual dripping.
14Houses and wealth are inherited from fathers,
but a prudent wife is from the LORD.
14A house and wealth are the inheritance of fathers, and from YHWH is a wife who is prudent.
15Laziness brings on deep sleep,
and an idle soul will suffer hunger.
15Sluggishness causes a deep sleep to fall, and a soul of slackness will be hungry.
16He who keeps a commandment preserves his soul,
but he who is careless in his ways will die.
16One guarding a commandment is guarding his soul; one despising His ways will die.
17Kindness to the poor is a loan to the LORD,
and He will repay the lender.
17The one showing favor to the poor is lending to YHWH, and his dealing He will repay to him.
18Discipline your son, for in that there is hope;
do not be party to his death.
18Discipline your son, for there is hope, and do not lift up your soul toward putting him to death.
19A man of great anger must pay the penalty;
if you rescue him, you will have to do so again.
19One harsh of anger lifts up the penalty; indeed, if you deliver him, you will add yet again.
20Listen to counsel and accept discipline,
that you may be wise the rest of your days.
20Listen to counsel and receive discipline, so that you may be wise in your latter end.
21Many plans are in a man’s heart,
but the purpose of the LORD will prevail.
21Many plans are in the heart of a man, and the counsel of YHWH, it will stand.
22The desire of a man is loving devotion;
better to be poor than a liar.
22The desire of a man is loving devotion, and one being poor is better than a man of lies.
23The fear of the LORD leads to life,
that one may rest content, without visitation from harm.
23The fear of YHWH is to life, and satisfied he will abide; he will not be visited by evil.
24The slacker buries his hand in the dish;
he will not even bring it back to his mouth.
24A lazy one hides his hand in the dish; even to his mouth he will not bring it back.
25Strike a mocker, and the simple will beware;
rebuke the discerning man, and he will gain knowledge.
25Strike a mocker and a simple one acts prudently; and rebuke a discerning one—he will discern knowledge.
26He who assaults his father or evicts his mother
is a son who brings shame and disgrace.
26One assaulting a father causes a mother to flee; he is a son causing shame and bringing reproach.
27If you cease to hear instruction, my son,
you will stray from the words of knowledge.
27Cease, my son, to hear instruction—you will stray from the words of knowledge.
28A corrupt witness mocks justice,
and a wicked mouth swallows iniquity.
28A witness of worthlessness scorns justice, and the mouth of wicked ones swallows iniquity.
29Judgments are prepared for mockers,
and beatings for the backs of fools.
29Judgments are prepared for the mockers, and beatings for the back of fools.