Proverbs 19

1It is better to be poor and honest

than to be foolish and tell lies.

2Enthusiasm without knowledge is not good.

If you act too quickly, you might make a mistake.

3People’s own foolishness ruins their lives,

but in their minds they blame the Lord.

4Wealthy people are always finding more friends,

but the poor lose all theirs.

5A witness who lies will not go free;

liars will never escape.

6Many people want to please a leader,

and everyone is friends with those who give gifts.

7Poor people’s relatives avoid them;

even their friends stay far away.

They run after them, begging,

but they are gone.

8Those who get wisdom do themselves a favor,

and those who love learning will succeed.

9A witness who lies will not go free,

liars will die.

10A fool should not live in luxury.

A slave should not rule over princes.

11The wise are patient;

they will be honored if they ignore insults.

12An angry king is like a roaring lion,

but his kindness is like the dew on the grass.

13A foolish child brings disaster to a father,

and a quarreling wife is like dripping water.

14Houses and wealth are inherited from parents,

but a wise wife is a gift from the Lord.

15Lazy people sleep a lot,

and idle people will go hungry.

16Those who obey the commands protect themselves,

but those who are careless will die.

17Being kind to the poor is like lending to the Lord;

he will reward you for what you have done.

18Correct your children while there is still hope;

do not let them destroy themselves.

19People with quick tempers will have to pay for it.

If you help them out once, you will have to do it again.

20Listen to advice and accept correction,

and in the end you will be wise.

21People can make all kinds of plans,

but only the Lord’s plan will happen.

22People want others to be loyal,

so it is better to be poor than to be a liar.

23Those who respect the Lord will live

and be satisfied, unbothered by trouble.

24Though the lazy person puts his hand in the dish,

he won’t lift the food to his mouth.

25Whip those who make fun of wisdom, and perhaps foolish people will gain some wisdom.

Correct those with understanding, and they will gain knowledge.

26A child who robs his father and sends away his mother

brings shame and disgrace on himself.

27Don’t stop listening to correction, my child,

or you will forget what you have already learned.

28An evil witness makes fun of fairness,

and wicked people love what is evil.

29People who make fun of wisdom will be punished,

and the backs of foolish people will be beaten.

Currently Selected:

Proverbs 19: NCV

Highlight

Copy

Want to have your highlights saved across all your devices? Sign up or sign in

Learn More About New Century Version

Proverbs 19

1Better to be a poor person who lives innocently

than to be one who talks dishonestly and is a fool.

2A person without knowledge is no good.

A person in a hurry makes mistakes.

3The stupidity of a person turns his life upside down,

and his heart rages against the Lord.

4Wealth adds many friends,

but a poor person is separated from his friend.

5A lying witness will not go unpunished.

One who tells lies will not escape.

6Many try to win the kindness of a generous person,

and everyone is a friend to a person who gives gifts.

7The entire family of a poor person hates him.

How much more do his friends keep their distance from him!

When he chases them with words, they are gone.

8A person who gains sense loves himself.

One who guards understanding finds something good.

9A lying witness will not go unpunished.

One who tells lies will die.

10Luxury does not fit a fool,

much less a slave ruling princes.

11A person with good sense is patient,

and it is to his credit that he overlooks an offense.

12The rage of a king is like the roar of a lion,

but his favor is like dew on the grass.

A Foolish Son Brings Ruin to Others

13A foolish son ruins his father,

and a quarreling woman is like constantly dripping water.

14Home and wealth are inherited from fathers,

but a sensible wife comes from the Lord.

15Laziness throws one into a deep sleep,

and an idle person will go hungry.

16Whoever obeys the law preserves his life,

⌞but⌟ whoever despises the Lord’s ways will be put to death.

17Whoever has pity on the poor lends to the Lord,

and he will repay him for his good deed.

18Discipline your son while there is still hope.

Do not be the one responsible for his death.

19A person who has a hot temper will pay for it.

If you rescue him, you will have to do it over and over.

20Listen to advice and accept discipline

so that you may be wise the rest of your life.

21Many plans are in the human heart,

but the advice of the Lord will endure.

22Loyalty is desirable in a person,

and it is better to be poor than a liar.

23The fear of the Lord leads to life,

and such a person will rest easy without suffering harm.

24A lazy person puts his fork in his food.

He doesn’t even bring it back to his mouth.

25Strike a mocker, and a gullible person may learn a lesson.

Warn an understanding person, and he will gain more knowledge.

Foolproof Instructions

26A son who assaults his father ⌞and⌟ who drives away his mother

brings shame and disgrace.

27If you stop listening to instruction, my son,

you will stray from the words of knowledge.

28A worthless witness mocks justice,

and the mouths of wicked people swallow up trouble.

29Punishments are set for mockers

and beatings for the backs of fools.

Currently Selected:

Highlight

Copy

Want to have your highlights saved across all your devices? Sign up or sign in

Learn More About GOD'S WORD