Proverbs 19

²Acting without knowing is not good. Rushing ahead without thinking leads to doing wrong.

³When people make foolish choices, their life goes wrong. Then they blame God instead of themselves.

⁴Rich people attract many friends. But a poor person is often left alone.

⁵A person who lies will be punished. No one who speaks lies will escape.

⁶Everyone wants to please a powerful person. And everyone wants to be friends with someone who gives gifts.

⁷When someone is poor, even family can turn away. Friends leave too. The poor person calls after them, but no one comes back.

⁸Getting wisdom is loving yourself well. Holding on to wisdom leads to good things.

⁹A lying witness will be punished. A person who keeps speaking lies will be destroyed.

¹⁰A fool enjoying luxury does not fit. It is even worse when a servant rules over princes.

¹¹A wise person is slow to get angry. It is something to be proud of when you forgive someone who did wrong.

¹²A king's anger is terrifying, like a roaring lion. But his kindness is refreshing, like dew on the grass.

¹³A foolish child brings disaster to their father. A quarrelsome person in the home is like a leaking roof that never stops.

¹⁴A family can pass down a house and money. But a wise and good partner is a gift from God.

¹⁵Being lazy sends you into a deep sleep. A person who does nothing will go hungry.

¹⁶Obeying God's commands protects your own life. Refusing to obey God leads to death.

¹⁷When you help someone poor, you are lending to God. And God will pay you back.

¹⁸Correct your child while there is still time to help them. Do not hold back correction just because they cry.

¹⁹A very angry person will keep getting into trouble. If you rescue them, you will have to rescue them again.

²⁰Listen to good advice. Receive teaching. This will make you wise as you grow older.

²¹People make many plans. But only God's plans always stand and come true.

²²What makes a person truly desirable is their kindness. A poor person who is honest is worth more than a rich liar.

²³Respecting God and honouring Him leads to life. Those who do will be satisfied. Evil will not overtake them.

²⁴A lazy person tucks their hand away and will not even lift food to eat. Their laziness is extreme.

²⁵Punish a mocker and a simple person will learn to be careful. Correct a wise person and they will understand even more.

²⁶A child who dishonours their father and drives away their mother brings great shame on the family.

²⁷My son, stop listening to teaching that leads you away from God's truth. Not all teaching is good.

²⁸A wicked witness mocks justice. The wicked person eats up wrongdoing like it is food.

²⁹Punishment is ready and waiting for mockers. Fools will receive what their foolishness deserves.