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On Life and Conduct

^1 (C1)Better is a poor man who ^(C2)walks in his integrity
Than a rich man who is twisted in his speech and is a shortsighted fool.

² Also it is not good for a person to be without knowledge,
And he who hurries with his ^(C1)feet acting impulsively and proceeding without caution or analyzing the consequences sins (misses the mark).

³ The ^(C1)foolishness of man undermines his way ruining whatever he undertakes;
Then his heart is ^(C2)resentful and rages against the LORD for, being a fool, he blames the LORD instead of himself.

^4 (C1)Wealth makes many friends,
But a poor man is separated from his friend. ^(VR1)

⁵ A ^(C1)false witness will not go unpunished,
And he who ^(C2)breathes out lies will not escape. ^(VR1)

^6 (C1)Many will seek the favor of a generous and noble man,
And everyone is a friend to him who ^(C2)gives gifts.

⁷ All the brothers of a poor man hate him;
How much more do his ^(C1)friends abandon him!
He ^(C2)pursues them with words, but they are gone.

⁸ He who gains wisdom and good sense loves (preserves) his own soul;
He who keeps understanding will ^(C1)find good and prosper.

⁹ A ^(C1)false witness will not go unpunished,
And he who breathes lies will perish.

¹⁰ Luxury is ^(C1)not fitting for a fool;
Much less for a ^(C2)slave to rule over princes.

^11 (C1)Good sense and discretion make a man slow to anger,
And it is his honor and glory ^(C2)to overlook a transgression or an offense without seeking revenge and harboring resentment.

¹² The ^(C1)king's wrath terrifies like the roaring of a lion,
But his favor is as refreshing and nourishing as ^(C2)dew on the grass. ^(VR1)

¹³ A ^(C1)foolish (ungodly) son is destruction to his father,
And the ^(C2)contentions of a quarrelsome wife are like a constant dripping of water.

¹⁴ House and wealth are the ^(C1)inheritance from fathers,
But a wise, understanding, and sensible wife is a gift and blessing from the LORD. ^(VR1)

^15 (C1)Laziness casts one into a deep sleep unmindful of lost opportunity,
And the idle person will suffer hunger.

¹⁶ He who ^(C1)keeps and obeys the commandment of the LORD keeps (guards) his own life,
But he who is careless of his ways and conduct will die. ^(VR1)

¹⁷ He who ^(C1)is gracious and lends a hand to the poor lends to the LORD,
And the LORD will repay him for his ^(C2)good deed. ^(VR1)

^18 (C1)Discipline and teach your son while there is hope,
And do not indulge your anger or resentment by imposing inappropriate punishment nor desire his destruction.

¹⁹ A man of great anger will bear the penalty for his quick temper and lack of self-control;
For if you rescue him and do not let him learn from the consequences of his action, you will only have to rescue him over and over again.

^20 (C1)Listen to counsel, receive instruction, and accept correction,
That you may be wise in the time to come.

²¹ Many ^(C1)plans are in a man's mind,
But it is the LORD'S ^(C2)purpose for him that will stand (be carried out). ^(VR1)

²² That which is desirable in a man is his loyalty and unfailing love,
But it is better to be a poor man than a wealthy liar.

²³ The ^(C1)fear of the LORD leads to life,
So that one may sleep ^(C2)satisfied, ^(C3)untouched by evil. ^(VR1)

²⁴ The ^(C1)lazy man buries his hand ^(C2)in the food dish,
But will not even bring it to his mouth again.

^25 (C1)Strike a scoffer for refusing to learn, and the naive may be warned and become prudent;
^(C2)Reprimand one who has understanding and a teachable spirit, and he will gain knowledge and insight.

²⁶ He ^(C1)who assaults his father and chases away his mother
Is a son who brings shame and disgrace. ^(VR1)

²⁷ Cease listening, my son, to instruction and discipline
And you will stray from the words of knowledge.

²⁸ A wicked and worthless witness mocks justice,
And the mouth of the wicked ^(C1)spreads iniquity.

²⁹ Judgments are prepared for ^(C1)scoffers,
And ^(C2)beatings for the backs of thickheaded fools. ^(VR1)