Proverbs 19

English ERV 2006 - Only For Website

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1It is better to be poor and honest than to be a liar and a fool.

2Being excited about something is not enough. You must also know what you are doing. Don't rush into something, or you might do it wrong.

3People ruin their lives with the foolish things they do, and then they blame the Lord for it.

4Wealth will bring you many friends, but become poor and your friends will leave you.

5A witness who lies will be punished; that liar will not escape.

6Many people are nice to a generous person. Everyone wants to be friends with someone who gives gifts.

7If you are poor, your family will turn against you, and your friends will avoid you even more. You might beg them for help, but no one will come to help you.

8Be a friend to yourself; do all you can to be wise. Try hard to understand, and you will be rewarded.

9A witness who lies will be punished. That liar will be destroyed.

10A fool should not be rich, and a slave should not rule over princes.

11Experience makes you more patient, and you are most patient when you ignore insults.

12The shouts of an angry king are like a roaring lion, but his kind words are like a gentle rain falling softly on the grass.

13A foolish son brings a flood of troubles to his father, and a complaining wife is like the constant dripping of water.

14People receive houses and money from their parents, but a good wife is a gift from the Lord.

15Laziness brings on sleep, and an appetite for rest brings on hunger.

16Obey the law and live; ignore it and die.

17Giving help to the poor is like loaning money to the Lord. He will pay you back for your kindness.

18Discipline your children while there is still hope. Avoiding it can be deadly.

19People who are quick to become angry must pay the price. Protect them from punishment, and they become worse.

20Listen to advice and accept discipline; then you, too, will become wise.

21People might make many plans, but what the Lord says is what will happen.

22People want a friend they can trust. It is better to be poor than to be a liar.

23Respect the Lord and you will have a good life, one that is satisfying and free from trouble.

24Some people are too lazy to take care of themselves. They will not even lift the food from their plate to their mouth.

25Punish a rude, arrogant person, and even slow learners will become wiser. But just a little correction is enough to teach a person who has understanding.

26Those who would steal from their father and chase away their mother are disgusting, shameful people.

27My son, if you stop listening to instructions, you will keep making stupid mistakes.

28Using a criminal as a witness makes a joke of justice. People like that only want to do wrong.

29People who show no respect for anything must be brought to justice. You must punish such fools.

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