1 B etter is a poor man who walks in his integrity Than he who is perverse in speech and is a fool.

2 A lso it is not good for a person to be without knowledge, And he who hurries his footsteps errs.

3 T he foolishness of man ruins his way, And his heart rages against the Lord.

4 W ealth adds many friends, But a poor man is separated from his friend.

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

6 M any will seek the favor of a generous man, And every man is a friend to him who gives gifts.

7 A ll the brothers of a poor man hate him; How much more do his friends abandon him! He pursues them with words, but they are gone.

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

9 A false witness will not go unpunished, And he who tells lies will perish.

10 L uxury is not fitting for a fool; Much less for a slave to rule over princes.

11 A man’s discretion makes him slow to anger, And it is his glory to overlook a transgression.

12 T he king’s wrath is like the roaring of a lion, But his favor is like dew on the grass.

13 A foolish son is destruction to his father, And the contentions of a wife are a constant dripping.

14 H ouse and wealth are an inheritance from fathers, But a prudent wife is from the Lord.

15 L aziness casts into a deep sleep, And an idle man will suffer hunger.

16 H e who keeps the commandment keeps his soul, But he who is careless of conduct will die.

17 O ne who is gracious to a poor man lends to the Lord, And He will repay him for his good deed.

18 D iscipline your son while there is hope, And do not desire his death.

19 A man of great anger will bear the penalty, For if you rescue him, you will only have to do it again.

20 L isten to counsel and accept discipline, That you may be wise the rest of your days.

21 M any plans are in a man’s heart, But the counsel of the Lord will stand.

22 W hat is desirable in a man is his kindness, And it is better to be a poor man than a liar.

23 T he fear of the Lord leads to life, So that one may sleep satisfied, untouched by evil.

24 T he sluggard buries his hand in the dish, But will not even bring it back to his mouth.

25 S trike a scoffer and the naive may become shrewd, But reprove one who has understanding and he will gain knowledge.

26 H e who assaults his father and drives his mother away Is a shameful and disgraceful son.

27 C ease listening, my son, to discipline, And you will stray from the words of knowledge.

28 A rascally witness makes a mockery of justice, And the mouth of the wicked spreads iniquity.

29 J udgments are prepared for scoffers, And blows for the back of fools.