191 Better is a poor man who walks in his integrity Than he who is perverse in speech and is a fool .

2 Also it is not good for a person to be without knowledge , And he who hurries his footsteps errs .

3 The foolishness of man ruins his way , And his heart rages against the Lord .

4 Wealth adds many friends , But a poor man is separated from his friend .

5 A false witness will not go unpunished , And he who tells lies will not escape .

6 Many will seek the favor of a generous man , And every man is a friend to him who gives gifts . 7 All the brothers of a poor man hate him; How much e more do his friends abandon him! He pursues them with words , but they are gone .

8 He who gets wisdom loves his own soul ; He who keeps understanding will find good .

9 A false witness will not go unpunished , And he who tells lies will perish .

10 Luxury is not fitting for a fool ; Much e less for a slave to rule over princes .

11 A man's discretion makes him slow to anger , And it is his glory to overlook a transgression .

12 The king's wrath is like the roaring of a lion , But his favor is like dew on the grass .

13 A foolish son is destruction to his father , And the contentions of a wife are a constant dripping .

14 House and wealth are an inheritance from fathers , But a prudent wife is from the Lord .

15 Laziness casts into a deep sleep , And an idle man will suffer hunger .

16 He who keeps the commandment keeps his soul , But he who is careless of conduct will die .

17 One who is gracious to a poor man lends to the Lord , And He will repay him for his good deed .

18 Discipline your son while there is hope , And do not desire e his death .

19 A man of great anger will bear the penalty , For if you rescue him, you will only have to do it again .

20 Listen to counsel and accept discipline , That you may be wise the rest of your days.

21 Many plans are in a man's heart , But the counsel of the Lord will stand .

22 What is desirable in a man is his kindness , And it is better to be a poor man than a liar e .

23 The fear of the Lord leads to life , So that one may sleep satisfied , untouched e by evil .

24 The sluggard buries his hand in the dish , But will not even bring it back to his mouth .

25 Strike a scoffer and the naive may become shrewd , But reprove one who has understanding and he will gain knowledge .

26 He who assaults his father and drives his mother away Is a shameful and disgraceful son .

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

28 A rascally witness makes a mockery of justice , And the mouth of the wicked spreads iniquity .

29 Judgments are prepared for scoffers , And blows for the back of fools .

Exhortations to Obedience

31 My son , do not forget my teaching , But let your heart keep my commandments ; 2 For length of days and years of life And peace they will add to you. 3 Do not let kindness and truth leave you; Bind them around your neck , Write them on the tablet of your heart . 4 So you will find favor and good repute In the sight of God and man . 5 Trust in the Lord with all your heart And do not lean on your own understanding . 6 In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He will make your paths straight .

7 Do not be wise in your own eyes ; Fear the Lord and turn away from evil . 8 It will be healing to your body And refreshment to your bones . 9 Honor the Lord from your wealth And from the first of all your produce ; 10 So your barns will be filled with plenty And your vats will overflow with new wine . 11 My son , do not reject the discipline of the Lord Or loathe His reproof , 12 For whom the Lord loves He reproves , Even as a father corrects the son in whom he delights .

13 How blessed is the man who finds wisdom And the man who gains understanding . 14 For her profit is better than the profit of silver And her gain better than fine gold . 15 She is more precious than jewels ; And nothing e you desire compares with her. 16 Long life is in her right hand ; In her left hand are riches and honor . 17 Her ways are pleasant ways And all her paths are peace . 18 She is a tree of life to those who take hold of her, And happy are all who hold her fast . 19 The Lord by wisdom founded the earth , By understanding He established the heavens . 20 By His knowledge the deeps were broken up And the skies drip with dew .

21 My son , let them not vanish from your sight ; Keep sound wisdom and discretion , 22 So they will be life to your soul And adornment to your neck . 23 Then you will walk in your way securely And your foot will not stumble . 24 When you lie down , you will not be afraid ; When you lie down , your sleep will be sweet . 25 Do not be afraid of sudden fear Nor of the onslaught of the wicked when it comes ; 26 For the Lord will be your confidence And will keep your foot from being caught .

27 Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due , When it is in your power to do it. 28 Do not say to your neighbor , "Go , and come back , And tomorrow I will give it," When you have it with you. 29 Do not devise harm against your neighbor , While he lives securely beside you. 30 Do not contend with a man without cause , If he has done you no harm . 31 Do not envy a man of violence And do not choose any of his ways . 32 For the devious are an abomination to the Lord ; But He is intimate with the upright . 33 The curse of the Lord is on the house of the wicked , But He blesses the dwelling of the righteous . 34 Though He scoffs at the scoffers , Yet He gives grace to the afflicted . 35 The wise will inherit honor , But fools display dishonor .