December 19 – Proverbs 19 from the Old Testament

Proverbs 19 –

19:1 Better is a poor person who walks in his integrity

than one who is perverse in his speech and is a fool.

19:2 It is dangerous to have zeal without knowledge,

and the one who acts hastily makes poor choices.

19:3 A person’s folly subverts his way,

and his heart rages against the Lord.

19:4 Wealth adds many friends,

but a poor person is separated from his friend.

19:5 A false witness will not go unpunished,

and the one who spouts out lies will not escape punishment.

19:6 Many people entreat the favor of a generous person,

and everyone is the friend of the person who gives gifts.

19:7 All the relatives of a poor person hate him;

how much more do his friends avoid him –

he pursues them with words, but they do not respond.

19:8 The one who acquires wisdom loves himself;

the one who preserves understanding will prosper.

19:9 A false witness will not go unpunished,

and the one who spouts out lies will perish.

19:10 Luxury is not appropriate for a fool;

how much less for a servant to rule over princes!

19:11 A person’s wisdom makes him slow to anger,

and it is his glory to overlook an offense.

19:12 A king’s wrath is like the roar of a lion,

but his favor is like dew on the grass.

19:13 A foolish child is the ruin of his father,

and a contentious wife is like a constant dripping.

19:14 A house and wealth are inherited from parents,

but a prudent wife is from the Lord.

19:15 Laziness brings on a deep sleep,

and the idle person will go hungry.

19:16 The one who obeys commandments guards his life;

the one who despises his ways will die.

19:17 The one who is gracious to the poor lends to the Lord,

and the Lord will repay him for his good deed.

19:18 Discipline your child, for there is hope,

but do not set your heart on causing his death.

19:19 A person with great anger bears the penalty,

but if you deliver him from it once, you will have to do it again.

19:20 Listen to advice and receive discipline,

that you may become wise by the end of your life.

19:21 There are many plans in a person’s mind,

but it is the counsel of the Lord which will stand.

19:22 What is desirable for a person is to show loyal love,

and a poor person is better than a liar.

19:23 Fearing the Lord leads to life,

and one who does so will live satisfied; he will not be afflicted by calamity.

19:24 The sluggard plunges his hand in the dish,

and he will not even bring it back to his mouth!

19:25 Flog a scorner, and as a result the simpleton will learn prudence;

correct a discerning person, and as a result he will understand knowledge.

19:26 The one who robs his father and chases away his mother

is a son who brings shame and disgrace.

19:27 If you stop listening to instruction, my child,

you will stray from the words of knowledge.

19:28 A crooked witness scorns justice,

and the mouth of the wicked devours iniquity.

19:29 Judgments are prepared for scorners,

and floggings for the backs of fools.