1 B etter the poor walking in his integrity, Than the perverse his lips, who a fool.

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

2 A lso, without knowledge the soul not good, And the hasty in feet is sinning.

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

3 T he folly of man perverteth his way, And against Jehovah is his heart wroth.

The foolishness of man ruins his way, And his heart rages against the Lord.

4 W ealth addeth many friends, And the poor from his neighbour is separated.

Wealth adds many friends, But a poor man is separated from his friend.

5 A false witness is not acquitted, Whoso breatheth out lies is not delivered.

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

6 M any entreat the face of the noble, And all have made friendship to a man of gifts.

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

7 A ll the brethren of the poor have hated him, Surely also his friends have been far from him, He is pursuing words -- they are not!

All 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 W hoso is getting heart is loving his soul, He is keeping understanding to find good.

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

9 A false witness is not acquitted, And whoso breatheth out lies perisheth.

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

10 L uxury is not comely for a fool, Much less for a servant to rule among princes.

Luxury is not fitting for a fool; Much less for a slave to rule over princes.

11 T he wisdom of a man hath deferred his anger, And his glory to pass over transgression.

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

12 T he wrath of a king a growl as of a young lion, And as dew on the herb his good-will.

The king’s wrath is like the roaring of a lion, But his favor is like dew on the grass.

13 A calamity to his father a foolish son, And the contentions of a wife a continual dropping.

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

14 H ouse and wealth the inheritance of fathers, And from Jehovah an understanding wife.

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

15 S loth causeth deep sleep to fall, And an indolent soul doth hunger.

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

16 W hoso is keeping the command is keeping his soul, Whoso is despising His ways dieth.

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

17 W hoso is lending Jehovah is favouring the poor, And his deed He repayeth to him.

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

18 C hastise thy son, for there is hope, And to put him to death lift not up thy soul.

Discipline your son while there is hope, And do not desire his death.

19 A man of great wrath is bearing punishment, For, if thou dost deliver, yet again thou dost add.

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

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

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

21 M any the purposes in a man's heart, And the counsel of Jehovah it standeth.

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

22 T he desirableness of a man his kindness, And better the poor than a liar.

What 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 Jehovah to life, And satisfied he remaineth -- he is not charged with evil.

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

24 T he slothful hath hidden his hand in a dish, Even unto his mouth he bringeth it not back.

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

25 A scorner smite, and the simple acts prudently, And give reproof to the intelligent, He understandeth knowledge.

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

26 W hoso is spoiling a father causeth a mother to flee, A son causing shame, and bringing confusion.

He who assaults his father and drives his mother away Is a shameful and disgraceful son.

27 C ease, my son, to hear instruction -- To err from sayings of knowledge.

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

28 A worthless witness scorneth judgment, And the mouth of the wicked swalloweth iniquity.

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

29 J udgments have been prepared for scorners, And stripes for the back of fools!

Judgments are prepared for scoffers, And blows for the back of fools.