BDJ
Español
English
Proverbs 19
1 Better a poor man living an honest life than the adept at double-talk who is a fool.
2 Where reflection is wanting, zeal is not good; he who goes too quickly misses his way.
3 It is man’s folly that spoils his fortunes, yet it is against Yahweh that his heart rages.
4 Wealth multiplies friends, but the one friend the poor man has is taken from him!
5 The false witness will not go unpunished, the man who utters lies will not go free.
6 The generous man has many to court his favour, to one who gives, everyone is friend.
7 The poor man’s brothers hate him, every one; his friends-how much the more do they desert him. He goes in search of words, but there are none to be had.
8 He who obtains wisdom works his own good, he who cares about discernment finds happiness.
9 The false witness shall not go unpunished, the man who utters lies will meet his end.
10 It is not fitting for a fool to live in luxury, still less for a slave to govern princes.
11 A man’s shrewdness shows in equanimity, his self-respect in overlooking an offence.
12 Like the roaring of a lion, the anger of a king, but like dew on the grass his favour.
13 A foolish son is the ruin of his father, a woman’s scolding is like a dripping gutter.
14 From fathers comes inheritance of house and wealth, from Yahweh a wife who is discreet.
15 Idleness lulls a man to sleep, the feckless soul will go hungry.
16 He who keeps the commandment is keeper of himself, but he who despises the word shall die.
17 The man who is kind to the poor lends to Yahweh: he will repay him for what he has done.
18 All the while there is hope, chastise your son, but do not set out to destroy him altogether.
19 A violent man lays himself open to a penalty; spare him, and you aggravate your own misfortune.
20 Listen to advice, accept correction, to be the wiser in the time to come.
21 Plans multiply in the human heart, but the purpose of Yahweh stands firm,
22 A man’s attraction lies in his kindness, better a poor man than a liar.
23 The fear of Yahweh leads to life, a man has food and shelter, and no evil to fear.
24 Into the dish the idler dips his hand, but bring it back to his mouth he cannot.
25 Strike a mocker and the ignorant will be more wary, correct a man of discernment and he will listen to reason.
26 He who dispossesses his father and drives out his mother is a son as shameless as depraved.
27 Give up listening to instruction, my son, and ignoring what knowledge has to say.
28 A witness of bad character holds justice in contempt; the mouth of the wicked gorges on iniquity.
29 The stick was created for mockers, and beating for the backs of fools.