Proverbs 19; Proverbs 20; Proverbs 21

Proverbs 19

1 Better a poor man who walks in integrity than someone who has deceitful lips and is a fool.

2 Even zeal is not good without knowledge, and the one who acts hastily sins.

3 A man's own foolishness leads him astray, yet his heart rages against the Lord.

4 Wealth attracts many friends, but a poor man is separated from his friend.

5 A false witness will not go unpunished, and one who utters lies will not escape.

6 Many seek the favor of a ruler, and everyone is a friend of one who gives gifts.

7 All the brothers of a poor man hate him; how much more do his friends keep their distance from him! He may pursue [them with] words, [but] they are not [there].

8 The one who acquires good sense loves himself; one who safeguards understanding finds success.

9 A false witness will not go unpunished, and one who utters lies perishes.

10 Luxury is not appropriate for a fool- how much less for a slave to rule over princes!

11 A person's insight gives him patience, and his virtue is to overlook an offense.

12 A king's rage is like a lion's roar, but his favor is like dew on the grass.

13 A foolish son is his father's ruin, and a wife's nagging is an endless dripping.

14 A house and wealth are inherited from fathers, but a sensible wife is from the Lord.

15 Laziness induces deep sleep, and a lazy person will go hungry.

16 The one who keeps commands preserves himself; one who disregards his ways will die.

17 Kindness to the poor is a loan to the Lord, and He will give a reward to the lender.

18 Discipline your son while there is hope; don't be intent on killing him.

19 A person with great anger bears the penalty; if you rescue him, you'll have to do it again.

20 Listen to counsel and receive instruction so that you may be wise in later life.

21 Many plans are in a man's heart, but the Lord's decree will prevail.

22 A man's desire should be loyalty to the covenant; better to be a poor man than a perjurer.

23 The fear of the Lord leads to life; one will sleep at night without danger.

24 The slacker buries his hand in the bowl; he doesn't even bring it back to his mouth.

25 Strike a mocker, and the inexperienced learn a lesson; rebuke the discerning, and he gains knowledge.

26 The one who assaults his father and evicts his mother is a disgraceful and shameful son.

27 If you stop listening to instruction, my son, you will stray from the words of knowledge.

28 A worthless witness mocks justice, and a wicked mouth swallows iniquity.

29 Judgments are prepared for mockers, and beatings for the backs of fools.

Proverbs 20

1 Wine is a mocker, beer is a brawler, and whoever staggers because of them is not wise.

2 A king's terrible wrath is like the roaring of a lion; anyone who provokes him endangers himself.

3 It is honorable for a man to resolve a dispute, but any fool can get himself into a quarrel.

4 The slacker does not plow during planting season; at harvest time he looks, and there is nothing.

5 Counsel in a man's heart is deep water; but a man of understanding draws it up.

6 Many a man proclaims his own loyalty, but who can find a trustworthy man?

7 The one who lives with integrity is righteous; his children who come after him will be happy.

8 A king sitting on a throne to judge sifts out all evil with his eyes.

9 Who can say, "I have kept my heart pure; I am cleansed from my sin"?

10 Differing weights and varying measures- both are detestable to the Lord.

11 Even a young man is known by his actions- by whether his behavior is pure and upright.

12 The hearing ear and the seeing eye- the Lord made them both.

13 Don't love sleep, or you will become poor; open your eyes, and you'll have enough to eat.

14 "It's worthless, it's worthless!" the buyer says, but after he is on his way, he gloats.

15 There is gold and a multitude of jewels, but knowledgeable lips are a rare treasure.

16 Take his garment, for he has put up security for a stranger; get collateral if it is for foreigners.

17 Food gained by fraud is sweet to a man, but afterwards his mouth is full of gravel.

18 Finalize plans through counsel, and wage war with sound guidance.

19 The one who reveals secrets is a constant gossip; avoid someone with a big mouth.

20 Whoever curses his father or mother- his lamp will go out in deep darkness.

21 An inheritance gained prematurely will not be blessed ultimately.

22 Don't say, "I will avenge this evil!" Wait on the Lord, and He will rescue you.

23 Differing weights are detestable to the Lord, and dishonest scales are unfair.

24 A man's steps are determined by the Lord, so how can anyone understand his own way?

25 It is a trap for anyone to dedicate something rashly and later to reconsider his vows.

26 A wise king separates out the wicked and drives the threshing wheel over them.

27 A person's breath is the lamp of the Lord, searching the innermost parts.

28 Loyalty and faithfulness deliver a king; through loyalty he maintains his throne.

29 The glory of young men is their strength, and the splendor of old men is gray hair.

30 Lashes and wounds purge away evil, and beatings cleanse the innermost parts.

Proverbs 21

1 A king's heart is a water channel in the Lord's hand: He directs it wherever He chooses.

2 All the ways of a man seem right to him, but the Lord evaluates the motives.

3 Doing what is righteous and just is more acceptable to the Lord than sacrifice.

4 The lamp that guides the wicked- haughty eyes and an arrogant heart-is sin.

5 The plans of the diligent certainly lead to profit, but anyone who is reckless only becomes poor.

6 Making a fortune through a lying tongue is a vanishing mist, a pursuit of death.

7 The violence of the wicked sweeps them away because they refuse to act justly.

8 A guilty man's conduct is crooked, but the behavior of the innocent is upright.

9 Better to live on the corner of a roof than to share a house with a nagging wife.

10 A wicked person desires evil; he has no consideration for his neighbor.

11 When a mocker is punished, the inexperienced become wiser; when one teaches a wise man, he acquires knowledge.

12 The Righteous One considers the house of the wicked; He brings the wicked to ruin.

13 The one who shuts his ears to the cry of the poor will himself also call out and not be answered.

14 A secret gift soothes anger, and a covert bribe, fierce rage.

15 Justice executed is a joy to the righteous but a terror to those who practice iniquity.

16 The man who strays from the way of wisdom will come to rest in the assembly of the departed spirits.

17 The one who loves pleasure will become a poor man; whoever loves wine and oil will not get rich.

18 The wicked are a ransom for the righteous, and the treacherous, for the upright.

19 Better to live in a wilderness than with a nagging and hot-tempered wife.

20 Precious treasure and oil are in the dwelling of the wise, but a foolish man consumes them.

21 The one who pursues righteousness and faithful love will find life, righteousness, and honor.

22 The wise conquer a city of warriors and bring down its mighty fortress.

23 The one who guards his mouth and tongue keeps himself out of trouble.

24 The proud and arrogant person, named "Mocker," acts with excessive pride.

25 A slacker's craving will kill him because his hands refuse to work.

26 He is filled with craving all day long, but the righteous give and don't hold back.

27 The sacrifice of a wicked person is detestable- how much more so when he brings it with ulterior motives!

28 A lying witness will perish, but the one who listens will speak successfully.

29 A wicked man puts on a bold face, but the upright man considers his way.

30 No wisdom, no understanding, and no counsel [will prevail] against the Lord.

31 A horse is prepared for the day of battle, but victory comes from the Lord.