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

¶ Better is the poor that walks in his integrity than he that is perverse in his lips and is a fool.

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

¶ That the soul be without wisdom is not good, and he that hastens with his feet sins.

3 T he foolishness of man perverteth his way: and his heart fretteth against the Lord.

¶ The foolishness of man perverts his way, and his heart is wroth against the LORD.

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

¶ Wealth makes many friends, but the poor is separated from his neighbour.

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

¶ A false witness shall not go unpunished, and he that speaks lies shall not escape.

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

¶ Many will intreat the favour of the prince, but every man is a friend to him that gives.

7 A ll 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 the brethren of the poor hate him; how much more shall his friends separate themselves from him? He shall seek their friendship and not find it.

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

¶ He that gets wisdom loves his own soul; he keeps intelligence that he might find that which is good.

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

¶ The false witness shall not go unpunished, and he that speaks lies shall perish.

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

¶ Delight is not suitable for a fool; much less for a slave to have rule over princes.

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

¶ The discretion of a man defers his anger, and it is his glory to pass over a transgression.

12 T he king’s wrath is as the roaring of a lion; but his favour is as dew upon the grass.

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

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

¶ A foolish son is a pain unto his father, and the contentions of a wife are a continual dripping.

14 H ouse and riches are the inheritance of fathers: and a prudent wife is from the Lord.

¶ House and riches are the inheritance from fathers, but the prudent wife is from the LORD.

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

¶ Slothfulness casts into a deep sleep, and the negligent soul shall suffer hunger.

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

¶ He that keeps the commandment keeps his own soul, but he that despises his ways shall die.

17 H e that hath pity upon the poor lendeth unto the Lord; and that which he hath given will he pay him again.

¶ He that gives unto the poor lends unto the LORD, and he will give him his reward.

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

¶ Chasten thy son while there is hope, but do not stir up thy soul to destroy him.

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

¶ A man of great wrath shall suffer the consequences, for even if thou deliver him, yet thou must do it again.

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

¶ Hear counsel, and receive chastening that thou may be wise in thy old age.

21 T here are many devices in a man’s heart; nevertheless the counsel of the Lord, that shall stand.

¶ There are many thoughts in the heart of man; nevertheless the counsel of the LORD shall stand.

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

¶ Contentment is unto men to show mercy, but it is better to do it unto the poor than to the liar.

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

¶ The fear of the LORD is unto life, and he that has it shall live satisfied; he shall not be visited with evil.

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

¶ The slothful man hides his hand in his bosom and will not so much as bring it to his mouth again.

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

¶ Smite a scorner, and the simple will become prudent, and reproving one that has understanding, he will understand knowledge.

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

¶ He that steals from his father and chases away his mother is a son that causes shame and brings reproach.

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

¶ Cease, my son, to hear the teaching that induces one to deviate from the reasons of wisdom.

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

¶ A witness of Belial shall scorn judgment, and the mouth of the wicked shall cover iniquity.

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

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