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 who walks in his integrity Than one who 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.

Also it is not good for a soul to be without knowledge, And he sins who hastens with his feet.

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

The foolishness of a man twists his way, And his heart frets 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 friend.

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

A false witness will not go unpunished, And he who speaks lies will not escape.

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

Many entreat the favor of the nobility, And every man is a friend to one who gives gifts.

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 brothers of the poor hate him; How much more do his friends go far from him! He may pursue them with words, yet they abandon him.

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

He who gets wisdom loves his own soul; He who keeps understanding will find good.

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

A false witness will not go unpunished, And he who speaks lies shall perish.

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

Luxury is not fitting for a fool, Much less for a servant to 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 makes him slow to anger, And his glory is to overlook 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 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: and the contentions of a wife are a continual dropping.

A foolish son is the ruin of 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.

Houses and riches are an inheritance from fathers, But a prudent wife is from the Lord.

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

Laziness casts one into a deep sleep, And an idle person will suffer hunger.

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

He who keeps the commandment keeps his soul, But he who is careless of his ways will 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 who has pity on the poor lends to the Lord, And He will pay back what he has given.

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

Chasten your son while there is hope, And do not set your heart on his destruction.

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 will suffer punishment; For if you rescue him, you will have to do it again.

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

Listen to counsel and receive instruction, That you may be wise in your latter days.

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

There are many plans in a man’s heart, Nevertheless the Lord ’s counsel—that will stand.

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

What is desired in a man is kindness, And a poor man is better than a 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 leads to life, And he who has it will abide in satisfaction; He will 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.

A lazy man buries his hand in the bowl, 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.

Strike a scoffer, and the simple will become wary; Rebuke one who has understanding, and he will discern knowledge.

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

He who mistreats his father and chases away his mother Is a son who causes shame and brings reproach.

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

Cease listening to instruction, my son, And you will stray from the words of knowledge.

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

A disreputable witness scorns justice, And the mouth of the wicked devours iniquity.

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

Judgments are prepared for scoffers, And beatings for the backs of fools.