Proverbs 19:1-29 NIrV

[1] It is better to be poor and to live without blame than to be foolish and to twist words around. [2] Getting excited about something without knowledge isn’t good. It’s even worse to be in a hurry and miss the way. [3] A person’s own foolish acts destroy their life. But their heart is angry with the LORD. [4] Wealth brings many friends. But even the closest friend of a poor person abandons them. [5] A dishonest witness will be punished. And whoever pours out lies will not go free. [6] Many try to win the favor of rulers. And everyone is the friend of a person who gives gifts. [7] Poor people are avoided by their whole family. Their friends avoid them even more. The poor person runs after his friends to beg for help. But they can’t be found. [8] Anyone who gets wisdom loves life. Anyone who values understanding will soon succeed. [9] A dishonest witness will be punished. And those who pour out lies will die. [10] It isn’t proper for a foolish person to live in great comfort. And it is much worse when a slave rules over princes! [11] A person’s wisdom makes them patient. They will be honored if they forgive someone who sins against them. [12] A king’s anger is like a lion’s roar. But his favor is like dew on the grass. [13] A foolish child is a father’s ruin. A nagging wife is like dripping that never stops. [14] You will receive houses and wealth from your parents. But a wise wife is given by the LORD. [15] Anyone who doesn’t want to work sleeps his life away. And a person who refuses to work goes hungry. [16] Those who keep commandments keep their lives. But those who don’t care how they live will die. [17] Anyone who is kind to poor people lends to the LORD. God will reward them for what they have done. [18] Train your children, because then there is hope. Don’t do anything to bring about their deaths. [19] A person with a bad temper must pay for it. If you save them, you will have to do it again. [20] Listen to advice and accept correction. In the end you will be counted among those who are wise. [21] A person may have many plans in their heart. But the LORD’s purpose wins out in the end. [22] Everyone longs for love that never fails. It is better to be poor than to be a liar. [23] Having respect for the LORD leads to life. Then you will be content and free from trouble. [24] A person who doesn’t want to work leaves his hand in the dish. He won’t even bring it back up to his mouth! [25] If you whip a person who makes fun of others, childish people will learn to be wise. If you warn those who already understand what is right, they will gain even more knowledge. [26] Anyone who robs their father and drives out their mother is a child who brings shame and dishonor. [27] My son, if you stop listening to what I teach you, you will wander away from the words of knowledge. [28] A dishonest witness makes fun of what is right. The mouths of those who do wrong gulp down evil. [29] Those who make fun of others will be judged. Foolish people will be punished.