1Better is the poor that walketh in his integrity Than he that is perverse in his lips and is a fool . 2Also , that the soul be without knowledge is not good ; And he that hasteth with his feet sinneth . 3The foolishness of man subverteth his way ; And his heart fretteth against Jehovah . 4Wealth addeth many friends ; But the poor is separated from his friend . 5A false witness shall not be unpunished ; And he that uttereth lies shall not escape . 6Many will entreat the favor of the liberal man ; And every man is a friend to him that giveth gifts . 7All the brethren of the poor do hate him : How much more do his friends go far from him ! He pursueth them with words, but they are gone .
The Importance of Integrity
8He that getteth wisdom loveth his own soul : He that keepeth understanding shall find good . 9A false witness shall not be unpunished ; And he that uttereth lies shall perish. 10Delicate living is not seemly for a fool ; Much less for a servant to have rule over princes . 11The discretion of a man maketh him slow to anger ; And it is his glory to pass over a transgression . 12The king ’s wrath is as the roaring of a lion ; But his favor is as dew upon the grass . 13A foolish son is the calamity of his father ; And the contentions of a wife are a continual dropping . 14House and riches are an inheritance from fathers; But a prudent wife is from Jehovah .
Discipline and Instruction
15Slothfulness casteth into a deep sleep ; And the idle soul shall suffer hunger . 16He that keepeth the commandment keepeth his soul ; But he that is careless of his ways shall die . 17He that hath pity upon the poor lendeth unto Jehovah , And his good deed will he pay him again . 18Chasten thy son , seeing there is hope ; And set not thy heart on his destruction. 19A man of great wrath shall bear the penalty ; For if thou deliver him , thou must do it yet again . 20Hear counsel , and receive instruction , That thou mayest be wise in thy latter end .
The Role of the Lord in Human Affairs
21There are many devices in a man ’s heart ; But the counsel of Jehovah , that shall stand . 22That which maketh a man to be desired is his kindness ; And a poor man is better than a liar . 23The fear of Jehovah tendeth to life ; And he that hath it shall abide satisfied ; He shall not be visited with evil . 24The sluggard burieth his hand in the dish , And will not so much as bring it to his mouth again . 25Smite a scoffer, and the simple will learn prudence; And reprove one that hath understanding, and he will understand knowledge .
Compassion and Generosity
26He that doeth violence to his father , and chaseth away his mother, Is a son that causeth shame and bringeth reproach . 27Cease , my son , to hear instruction Only to err from the words of knowledge . 28A worthless witness mocketh at justice ; And the mouth of the wicked swalloweth iniquity. 29Judgments are prepared for scoffers, And stripes for the back of fools .