Proverbs 19

1 Better [more desirable, preferable] a poor [destitute, lacking] man who walks [lives, conducts himself] with integrity [uprightness, moral purity] than a fool [stupid, silly, one who rejects God] whose lips [language, words] are perverse [twisted, distorted, false]. word study 2 Even zeal [enthusiasm, eagerness] is no good [not beneficial, lacking] without knowledge [understanding, wisdom], and he who hurries [rushing, hastening] his footsteps [with his feet, in his actions] misses the mark [sins, goes wrong, stumbles]. word study 3 A man’s [the individual, humanity] own folly [foolishness, silliness] subverts [perverts, overthrows] his way [path, journey, manner of life], yet his heart [mind, emotions, will] rages [becomes enraged, is angry] against [toward, upon] the LORD [Yehovah, God]. word study 4 Wealth [substance, riches, or valuable possessions] attracts [gathers, adds, or brings] many [a large number, numerous] friends [neighbors, companions, or acquaintances], but a poor [weak, needy, or destitute] man [individual, person] is deserted [separated, parted, or isolated] by his friend [neighbor, companion, or fellow]. word study 5 A false [deceptive, untrue] witness [one who testifies, gives testimony] will not go unpunished [without penalty, unreprimanded], and one who utters [speaks, breathes out] lies [deceit, falsehoods] will not escape [be delivered, slip away to safety]. word study 6 Many [numerous, a large number] seek [entreat, beg, or pray for] the favor [approval, goodwill, or kindness] of the prince [noble, generous, or ruler], and everyone [all, every person] is a friend [neighbor, companion, or close associate] of the gift giver [one who gives presents, generous person, or liberally bestows gifts]. word study 7 All [every single one] the brothers [relatives, kin] of a poor [destitute, needy] man hate [feel intense dislike for] him— how much more [to a greater extent] do his friends [companions, close associates] avoid [go far from, distance themselves from] him! He may pursue [chase after, follow] them with pleading [words, requests], but they are nowhere [completely absent, missing] to be found. word study 8 He who acquires [gets, obtains] wisdom [insight, understanding] loves [has affection for, cares for] himself [his own soul, his inner being]; one who safeguards [keeps, protects] understanding [discretion, good sense] will find [discover, attain] success [good, prosperity, what is truly good]. word study 9 A false [deceptive, untrue] witness [one who testifies, provides testimony] will not [never] go unpunished [without penalty, acquitted], and one who pours out [speaks, utters] lies [deceit, falsehoods] will perish [be destroyed, lost]. word study 10 Luxury [delicate living, delightful living] is unseemly [not lovely, not seemly] for a fool [stupid person, one who rejects God]— how much worse [much less] for a slave [servant, one in bondage] to rule [have power over, govern] over princes [rulers, leaders]! word study 11 A man’s [having understanding, intelligence] insight [prudence, wisdom] gives him patience [to prolong, make long], and his virtue [beauty, glory] is to overlook [pass over, ignore] an offense [transgression, rebellion against God or others]. word study 12 A king’s [intense, furious] rage [like a storm] is like the roar [loud, fierce cry] of a lion [young, powerful], but his favor [acceptance, delight] is like dew [moisture, gentle] on the grass [vegetation, new life]. word study 13 A foolish [stupid, silly, rejecting God] son is his father’s [parent’s, ancestor’s] ruin [calamity, destruction, grief], and a quarrelsome [contentious, brawling] wife is like a constant [continual, never-ending] dripping [leaking, dropping]. word study 14 Houses [dwelling places, family homes] and wealth [substance, valuable possessions] are inherited [passed down] from fathers [parental ancestors], but a prudent [wise, circumspect] wife [woman, companion] is from the LORD [Yehovah, the divine Provider]. word study 15 Laziness [slothfulness, sluggishness] brings on [causes to fall into, leads to] deep sleep [a deep trance, a state of unconsciousness], and an idle [deceitful, slack] soul [living being, essence] will suffer [be hungry, experience need] hunger [a lack of food, physical need]. word study 16 He who keeps [guards, obeys] a commandment [law, divine instruction] preserves [protects, watches over] his soul [living being, essence], but he who is careless [despises, neglects] in his ways [path, manner of life] will die [meet a spiritual or physical death, perish]. word study 17 Kindness [showing favor, being gracious] to the poor [needy, weak, and destitute] is a loan [lending, giving with expectation of repayment] to the LORD [Yehovah, the divine Redeemer], and He will repay [recompense, reward] the lender [the one who gives, bestows]. word study 18 Discipline [chasten, correct, or train] your son [child, descendant, or young one], for [because, since] in that [this act of discipline] there is [exists, or is found] hope [expectation, or a cord of promise]; do not [refuse to, or be unwilling to] be party to [participate in, or contribute to] his death [destruction, or mortal end]. word study 19 A man of great [intense, burning] anger [rage, wrath] must pay the penalty [suffer punishment, endure damage]; if you rescue [deliver, snatch away] him, you will have to do so [yet again, still] again. word study 20 Listen [hear and obey, pay attention] to counsel [advice, guidance] and accept [receive, take to heart] discipline [correction, training], that you may be wise [have good judgment, act intelligently] the rest of your days [in your latter end, for the rest of your life]. word study 21 Many [various, numerous] plans [devices, purposes] are in a man’s [human, individual] heart [mind, will], but the purpose [counsel, will] of the LORD [Yehovah, the Lord God] will prevail [stand, be established]. word study 22 The desire [longing, craving] of a man [Adam, humanity] is loving devotion [kindness, mercy]; better [more pleasant, more beneficial] to be poor [destitute, lacking] than a liar [one who tells falsehoods, deceives]. word study 23 The fear [reverence, respect, or awe] of the LORD [Yehovah, The covenant Name of God] leads to life [physical and spiritual well-being, being alive], that one may rest [abide, remain, or dwell] content [satisfied, at peace, or fulfilled], without visitation [oversight, care, or reckoning] from harm [evil, adversity, or affliction]. word study 24 The [extremely lazy, slothful] slacker [hides, conceals] buries his hand [an open hand; strength, a side or share] in the dish [a deep container, bowl]; he will not even [so much as, to the point of] bring it back [to return, turn back] to his mouth [lips, edge of the face]. word study 25 Strike [smite, flog] a mocker [scoffer, scorner], and the simple [naive, immature] will beware [learn prudence]; rebuke [correct, reprove] the discerning man [wise, prudent], and he will gain [understand, discern] knowledge [insight, understanding]. word study 26 He who assaults [does violence to, mistreats] his father [parent, ancestor] or evicts [drives away, chases] his mother [female parent, nurturer] is a son [child, descendant] who brings [causes, produces] shame [disgrace, reproach] and disgrace [humiliation, infamy]. word study 27 If you [stop, cease completely] cease to hear [listen and obey, give attention to] instruction [discipline, correction, guidance], my son [descendant, child], you will stray [wander, go astray, err] from the words [sayings, teachings, promises] of knowledge [understanding, wisdom, insight]. word study 28 A [worthless, ungodly] corrupt witness [who sees or experiences something] mocks [scorneth, makes fun of] justice [judgment, God’s righteous judgment], and a [morally wrong, evil] wicked [Belial, worthless] mouth [lip, edge of something] swallows [devoureth, gulps down] iniquity [evil, wickedness, trouble]. word study 29 Judgments [sentences or acts of judgment, divine decisions] are prepared [established, set up] for mockers [scorners, those who scoff or scorn], and beatings [blows, physical strikes, flogging] for the backs [the midst, central part] of fools [the stupid, silly, or those who reject God]. word study