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Proverbs

Offers wisdom and advice on how to live a good and meaningful life.

Chapter 19

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

*It's better for a poor person who lives honestly than someone who lies and is foolish.

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

*It's not good for the soul to lack knowledge, and rushing with your feet can be a sin.

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

*Foolish actions lead people astray, and their hearts often oppose God.

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

*Having lots of money can make many people like you, but being poor can cause distance between you and your neighbors.

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

*A person who lies in court won't go unpunished, and someone who tells lies will not get away with it.

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

*Many people will ask the prince for favors, because everyone likes the person who gives presents.

7 All 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.

*All poor people don't like him. His friends also stay away. He talks a lot, but they still don't support him.

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

*Getting wisdom is good for you; keeping knowledge helps you find what's best.

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

*A person who lies in court won't go unpunished, and someone who tells lies will be destroyed.

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

*Pleasure doesn't suit a foolish person; even less for a servant to control kings.

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

*A man's ability to control his anger helps him avoid making things worse; it's honorable for him to overlook a mistake.

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

*The king's anger is like a loud, growling lion; but his kindness is like gentle dew on the grass.

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

*A stupid child brings trouble to his dad, and constant arguments with a wife cause ongoing problems.

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

*Houses and wealth belong to parents' inheritance, while a wise spouse comes from God.

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

*Laziness leads to deep sleep; and a lazy mind will experience hunger.

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

*Keeping the commandments protects your life, but disregarding them will lead to death.

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

*Helping the poor is like helping God; what you give will be returned to you.

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

*Discipline your child while they are young and willing to learn, don't hold back when they cry.

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

*A very angry person will be punished: because if you save him, you'll have to do it again.

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

*Listen to advice and learn from teaching, so you can be wise later on.

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

*There are lots of plans in a person's mind, but the Lord's advice will always be successful.

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

*A person's goodness matters most, and it's better to be poor and truthful than rich and deceitful.

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

*Fearing God leads to life, and those who do so will be content; they won't experience harm.

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

*A lazy person keeps their hand hidden in their chest and won't even bring it to their mouth again.

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

*Hit a mocker, and the naive will be cautious: and correct someone who understands, and they will truly grasp information.

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

*Who squanders their dad's money and drives away their mom is a disgraceful child causing embarrassment and bringing disgrace.

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

*Stop, my child, listening to teachings that lead you away from true understanding.

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

*A person not believing in God disrespects fairness. The mouth of someone bad consumes wrongdoing.

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

*Punishments are ready for those who mock, and beatings for those who act foolishly.

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