Better is the Poor Man with Integrity
1Better is the poor that walketh in his integrity, than he that is perverse in his lips, and is a fool.
2Also, that the soul be without knowledge, it is not good; and he that hasteth with his feet sinneth.
3The foolishness of man perverteth his way: and his heart fretteth against the LORD.
4Wealth maketh many friends; but the poor is separated from his neighbour.
5A false witness shall not be unpunished, and he that speaketh lies shall not escape.
6Many will intreat the favour of the prince: and every man is a friend to him that giveth 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.
8He that getteth wisdom loveth his own soul: he that keepeth understanding shall find good.
9A false witness shall not be unpunished, and he that speaketh lies shall perish.
10Delight is not seemly for a fool; much less for a servant to have rule over princes.
11The discretion of a man deferreth his anger; and it is his glory to pass over a transgression.
12The king's wrath is as the roaring of a lion; but his favour is as dew upon the grass.
13A foolish son is the calamity of his father: and the contentions of a wife are a continual dropping.
14House and riches are the inheritance of fathers: and a prudent wife is from the LORD.
15Slothfulness casteth into a deep sleep; and an idle soul shall suffer hunger.
16He that keepeth the commandment keepeth his own soul; but he that despiseth his ways shall die.
17He that hath pity upon the poor lendeth unto the LORD; and that which he hath given will he pay him again.
18Chasten thy son while there is hope, and let not thy soul spare for his crying.
19A man of great wrath shall suffer punishment: for if thou deliver him, yet thou must do it again.
20Hear counsel, and receive instruction, that thou mayest be wise in thy latter end.
21There are many devices in a man's heart; nevertheless the counsel of the LORD, that shall stand.
22The desire of a man is his kindness: and a poor man is better than 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.
24A slothful man hideth his hand in his bosom, and will not so much as bring it to his mouth again.
25Smite a scorner, and the simple will beware: and reprove one that hath understanding, and he will understand knowledge.
26He that wasteth his father, and chaseth away his mother, is a son that causeth shame, and bringeth reproach.
27Cease, my son, to hear the instruction that causeth to err from the words of knowledge.
28An ungodly witness scorneth judgment: and the mouth of the wicked devoureth iniquity.
29Judgments are prepared for scorners, and stripes for the back of fools.
King James Bible
Text courtesy of BibleProtector.com.
The Man of Integrity
1 Better is the poor who walks in his integrity than he who is perverse in his lips and is a fool.
2 It isn’t good to have zeal without knowledge; nor being hasty with one’s feet and missing the way.
3 The foolishness of man subverts his way; his heart rages against Yahweh.
4 Wealth adds many friends, but the poor is separated from his friend.
5 A false witness shall not be unpunished. He who pours out lies shall not go free.
6 Many will entreat the favor of a ruler, and everyone is a friend to a man who gives gifts.
7 All the relatives of the poor shun him: how much more do his friends avoid him! He pursues them with pleas, but they are gone.
8 He who gets wisdom loves his own soul. He who keeps understanding shall find good.
9 A false witness shall not be unpunished. He who utters lies shall perish.
10 Delicate living is not appropriate for a fool, much less for a servant to have rule over princes.
11 The discretion of a man makes him slow to anger. It is his glory to overlook an offense.
12 The king’s wrath is like the roaring of a lion, but his favor is like dew on the grass.
13 A foolish son is the calamity of his father. A wife’s quarrels are a continual dripping.
14 House and riches are an inheritance from fathers, but a prudent wife is from Yahweh.
15 Slothfulness casts into a deep sleep. The idle soul shall suffer hunger.
16 He who keeps the commandment keeps his soul, but he who is contemptuous in his ways shall die.
17 He who has pity on the poor lends to Yahweh; he will reward him.
18 Discipline your son, for there is hope; don’t be a willing party to his death.
19 A hot-tempered man must pay the penalty, for if you rescue him, you must do it again.
20 Listen to counsel and receive instruction, that you may be wise in your latter end.
21 There are many plans in a man’s heart, but Yahweh’s counsel will prevail.
22 That which makes a man to be desired is his kindness. A poor man is better than a liar.
23 The fear of Yahweh leads to life, then contentment; he rests and will not be touched by trouble.
24 The sluggard buries his hand in the dish; he will not so much as bring it to his mouth again.
25 Flog a scoffer, and the simple will learn prudence; rebuke one who has understanding, and he will gain knowledge.
26 He who robs his father and drives away his mother, is a son who causes shame and brings reproach.
27 If you stop listening to instruction, my son, you will stray from the words of knowledge.
28 A corrupt witness mocks justice, and the mouth of the wicked gulps down iniquity.
29 Penalties are prepared for scoffers, and beatings for the backs of fools.
The Man of Integrity
1 Better a poor man who walks with integrity
than a fool whose lips are perverse.
2 Even zeal is no good without knowledge,
and he who hurries his footsteps misses the mark.
3 A man’s own folly subverts his way,
yet his heart rages against the LORD.
4 Wealth attracts many friends,
but a poor man is deserted by his friend.
5 A false witness will not go unpunished,
and one who utters lies will not escape.
6 Many seek the favor of the prince,
and everyone is a friend of the gift giver.
7 All 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.
8 He who acquires wisdom loves himself;
one who safeguards understanding will find success.
9 A false witness will not go unpunished,
and one who pours out lies will perish.
10 Luxury is unseemly for a fool—
how much worse for a slave to rule over princes!
11 A man’s insight gives him patience,
and his virtue is to overlook an offense.
12 A king’s rage is like the roar of a lion,
but his favor is like dew on the grass.
13 A foolish son is his father’s ruin,
and a quarrelsome wife is like a constant dripping.
14 Houses and wealth are inherited from fathers,
but a prudent wife is from the LORD.
15 Laziness brings on deep sleep,
and an idle soul will suffer hunger.
16 He who keeps a commandment preserves his soul,
but he who is careless in his ways will die.
17 Kindness to the poor is a loan to the LORD,
and He will repay the lender.
18 Discipline your son, for in that there is hope;
do not be party to his death.
19 A man of great anger must pay the penalty;
if you rescue him, you will have to do so again.
20 Listen to counsel and accept discipline,
that you may be wise the rest of your days.
21 Many plans are in a man’s heart,
but the purpose of the LORD will prevail.
22 The desire of a man is loving devotion;
better to be poor than a liar.
23 The fear of the LORD leads to life,
that one may rest content, without visitation from harm.
24 The slacker buries his hand in the dish;
he will not even bring it back to his mouth.
25 Strike a mocker, and the simple will beware;
rebuke the discerning man, and he will gain knowledge.
26 He who assaults his father or evicts his mother
is a son who brings shame and disgrace.
27 If you cease to hear instruction, my son,
you will stray from the words of knowledge.
28 A corrupt witness mocks justice,
and a wicked mouth swallows iniquity.
29 Judgments are prepared for mockers,
and beatings for the backs of fools.
Better is the Poor Man with Integrity
1Better is the poor walking in his integrity, Than the perverse in his lips, who is a fool.
2Also, without knowledge the soul is not good, And the hasty in feet is sinning.
3The folly of man perverteth his way, And against Jehovah is his heart wroth.
4Wealth addeth many friends, And the poor from his neighbour is separated.
5A false witness is not acquitted, Whoso breatheth out lies is not delivered.
6Many entreat the face of the noble, And all have made friendship to a man of gifts.
7All the brethren of the poor have hated him, Surely also his friends have been far from him, He is pursuing words -- they are not!
8Whoso is getting heart is loving his soul, He is keeping understanding to find good.
9A false witness is not acquitted, And whoso breatheth out lies perisheth.
10Luxury is not comely for a fool, Much less for a servant to rule among princes.
11The wisdom of a man hath deferred his anger, And his glory is to pass over transgression.
12The wrath of a king is a growl as of a young lion, And as dew on the herb his good-will.
13A calamity to his father is a foolish son, And the contentions of a wife are a continual dropping.
14House and wealth are the inheritance of fathers, And from Jehovah is an understanding wife.
15Sloth causeth deep sleep to fall, And an indolent soul doth hunger.
16Whoso is keeping the command is keeping his soul, Whoso is despising His ways dieth.
17Whoso is lending to Jehovah is favouring the poor, And his deed He repayeth to him.
18Chastise thy son, for there is hope, And to put him to death lift not up thy soul.
19A man of great wrath is bearing punishment, For, if thou dost deliver, yet again thou dost add.
20Hear counsel and receive instruction, So that thou art wise in thy latter end.
21Many are the purposes in a man's heart, And the counsel of Jehovah it standeth.
22The desirableness of a man is his kindness, And better is the poor than a liar.
23The fear of Jehovah is to life, And satisfied he remaineth -- he is not charged with evil.
24The slothful hath hidden his hand in a dish, Even unto his mouth he bringeth it not back.
25A scorner smite, and the simple acts prudently, And give reproof to the intelligent, He understandeth knowledge.
26Whoso is spoiling a father causeth a mother to flee, A son causing shame, and bringing confusion.
27Cease, my son, to hear instruction -- To err from sayings of knowledge.
28A worthless witness scorneth judgment, And the mouth of the wicked swalloweth iniquity.
29Judgments have been prepared for scorners, And stripes for the back of fools!
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