191Better to be a poor person who walks in his integrity
than one with perverse lips who is a fool.
2Zeal without knowledge is certainly not good,
and a person who acts hastily sins.[] 3A person's own foolishness undermines his way,
but his heart rages against the Lord.
4Wealth adds many friends,
but a poor person is deserted by his friend.
5A false witness will not go unpunished.
He breathes lies and will not escape.
6Many seek the goodwill of a ruler,
and everyone is a friend to a person who gives gifts.
7A poor person's brothers all hate him.
Even his friends keep their distance from him!
Though he pursues them with words, they are not there.
8A person who acquires intelligence[] loves his life.[] A person who guards understanding finds a good thing.
9A false witness will not go unpunished.
He breathes lies, and he will perish.
10A life of luxury is not appropriate for a fool.
How much less appropriate for a slave to rule over princes.
11Good sense makes a person slow to anger,
and it is to his credit when he overlooks an offense.
12The king's anger is like a lion's growl,
but his favor is refreshing like dew on the grass.
Dealing With Fools
13A foolish son is a disaster to his father,
and a nagging wife is like constantly dripping water.
14Home and wealth are an inheritance from fathers,
but a wife with good sense is from the Lord.
15Laziness makes a person fall into a deep sleep,
and an idle person will go hungry.
16A person who keeps a command preserves his life.
One who despises his ways will die.
17A person who is gracious to the poor lends to the Lord.
He will repay him in full.
18Discipline your son while there is hope.
Do not make yourself responsible for his death.
19Someone who has a lot of anger pays the penalty.
If you rescue him, you will have to do it again.
20Listen to advice and accept discipline,
so that you will be wise in the future.
21There are many plans in a man's heart,
but it is the Lord's purpose that will prevail.
22A desirable trait in a person is loyalty.[] It is better to be poor than a liar.
23The fear of the Lord leads to life.
One who has it rests content.
He will not be disturbed by trouble.
24A lazy person buries his hand in the dish,
but he does not even bring the food up to his mouth.
25Strike a scoffer, and an undisciplined[] person may learn caution. Warn a person with understanding, and he will gain knowledge.
26A son who attacks his father and chases away his mother
brings shame and disgrace.
27If you stop listening to discipline, my son,
you will stray from the sayings that give knowledge.
28A malicious witness mocks justice,
and the mouth of the wicked swallows evil.
29Punishments have been prepared for scoffers
and beatings for the backs of fools.