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Proverbs chapter 19

English Standard Version

1Better is a poor person who walks in his integrity than one who is crooked in speech and is a fool. 2Desire without knowledge is not good, and whoever makes haste with his feet misses his way. 3When a man’s folly brings his way to ruin, his heart rages against the LORD. 4Wealth brings many new friends, but a poor man is deserted by his friend. 5A false witness will not go unpunished, and he who breathes out lies will not escape. 6Many seek the favor of a generous man, and everyone is a friend to a man who gives gifts. 7All a poor man’s brothers hate him; how much more do his friends go far from him! He pursues them with words, but does not have them. 8Whoever gets sense loves his own soul; he who keeps understanding will discover good. 9A false witness will not go unpunished, and he who breathes out lies will perish. 10It is not fitting for a fool to live in luxury, much less for a slave to rule over princes. 11Good sense makes one slow to anger, and it is his glory to overlook an offense. 12A king’s wrath is like the growling of a lion, but his favor is like dew on the grass. 13A foolish son is ruin to his father, and a wife’s quarreling is a continual dripping of rain. 14House and wealth are inherited from fathers, but a prudent wife is from the LORD. 15Slothfulness casts into a deep sleep, and an idle person will suffer hunger. 16Whoever keeps the commandment keeps his life; he who despises his ways will die. 17Whoever is generous to the poor lends to the LORD, and he will repay him for his deed. 18Discipline your son, for there is hope; do not set your heart on putting him to death. 19A man of great wrath will pay the penalty, for if you deliver him, you will only have to do it again. 20Listen to advice and accept instruction, that you may gain wisdom in the future. 21Many are the plans in the mind of a man, but it is the purpose of the LORD that will stand. 22What is desired in a man is steadfast love, and a poor man is better than a liar. 23The fear of the LORD leads to life, and whoever has it rests satisfied; he will not be visited by harm. 24The sluggard buries his hand in the dish and will not even bring it back to his mouth. 25Strike a scoffer, and the simple will learn prudence; reprove a man of understanding, and he will gain knowledge. 26He who does violence to his father and chases away his mother is a son who brings shame and reproach. 27Cease to hear instruction, my son, and you will stray from the words of knowledge. 28A worthless witness mocks at justice, and the mouth of the wicked devours iniquity. 29Condemnation is ready for scoffers, and beating for the backs of fools.
New International Version

1Better the poor whose walk is blameless than a fool whose lips are perverse.
2Desire without knowledge is not good-- how much more will hasty feet miss the way!
3A person's own folly leads to their ruin, yet their heart rages against the LORD.
4Wealth attracts many friends, but even the closest friend of the poor person deserts them.
5A false witness will not go unpunished, and whoever pours out lies will not go free.
6Many curry favor with a ruler, and everyone is the friend of one who gives gifts.
7The poor are shunned by all their relatives-- how much more do their friends avoid them! Though the poor pursue them with pleading, they are nowhere to be found.
8The one who gets wisdom loves life; the one who cherishes understanding will soon prosper.
9A false witness will not go unpunished, and whoever pours out lies will perish.
10It is not fitting for a fool to live in luxury-- how much worse for a slave to rule over princes!
11A person's wisdom yields patience; it is to one's glory to overlook an offense.
12A king's rage is like the roar of a lion, but his favor is like dew on the grass.
13A foolish child is a father's ruin, and a quarrelsome wife is like the constant dripping of a leaky roof.
14Houses and wealth are inherited from parents, but a prudent wife is from the LORD.
15Laziness brings on deep sleep, and the shiftless go hungry.
16Whoever keeps commandments keeps their life, but whoever shows contempt for their ways will die.
17Whoever is kind to the poor lends to the LORD, and he will reward them for what they have done.
18Discipline your children, for in that there is hope; do not be a willing party to their death.
19A hot-tempered person must pay the penalty; rescue them, and you will have to do it again.
20Listen to advice and accept discipline, and at the end you will be counted among the wise.
21Many are the plans in a person's heart, but it is the LORD's purpose that prevails.
22What a person desires is unfailing love; better to be poor than a liar.
23The fear of the LORD leads to life; then one rests content, untouched by trouble.
24A sluggard buries his hand in the dish; he will not even bring it back to his mouth!
25Flog a mocker, and the simple will learn prudence; rebuke the discerning, and they will gain knowledge.
26Whoever robs their father and drives out their mother is a child who brings shame and disgrace.
27Stop listening to instruction, my son, and you will stray from the words of knowledge.
28A corrupt witness mocks at justice, and the mouth of the wicked gulps down evil. 29Penalties are prepared for mockers, and beatings for the backs of fools.
New American Standard Bible

1Better is a poor person who walks in his integrity Than a person who is perverse in speech and is a fool. 2Also it is not good for a person to be without knowledge, And one who hurries his footsteps errs. 3The foolishness of a person ruins his way, And his heart rages against the LORD. 4Wealth adds many friends, But a poor person is separated from his friend. 5A false witness will not go unpunished, And one who declares lies will not escape. 6Many will seek the favor of a generous person, And every person is a friend to him who gives gifts. 7All the brothers of a poor person hate him; How much more do his friends abandon him! He pursues them with words, but they are gone. 8One who gets wisdom loves his own soul; One who keeps understanding will find good. 9A false witness will not go unpunished, And one who declares lies will perish. 10Luxury is not fitting for a fool; Much less for a slave to rule over princes. 11A person’s discretion makes him slow to anger, And it is his glory to overlook an offense. 12A king’s wrath is like the roaring of a lion, But his favor is like dew on the grass. 13A foolish son is destruction to his father, And the quarrels of a wife are a constant dripping. 14House and wealth are an inheritance from fathers, But a prudent wife is from the LORD. 15Laziness casts one into a deep sleep, And a lazy person will suffer hunger. 16One who keeps the commandment keeps his soul, But one who is careless of conduct will die. 17One who is gracious to a poor person lends to the LORD, And He will repay him for his good deed. 18Discipline your son while there is hope, And do not desire his death. 19A person of great anger will suffer the penalty, For if you rescue him, you will only have to do it again. 20Listen to advice and accept discipline, So that you may be wise the rest of your days. 21Many plans are in a person’s heart, But the advice of the LORD will stand. 22What is desirable in a person is his kindness, And it is better to be a poor person than a liar. 23The fear of the LORD leads to life, So that one may sleep satisfied, untouched by evil. 24The lazy one buries his hand in the dish, But will not even bring it back to his mouth. 25Strike a scoffer and the naive may become clever, But rebuke one who has understanding, and he will gain knowledge. 26He who assaults his father and drives his mother away Is a shameful and disgraceful son. 27Stop listening, my son, to discipline, And you will stray from the words of knowledge. 28A worthless witness makes a mockery of justice, And the mouth of the wicked swallows wrongdoing. 29Judgments are prepared for scoffers, And beatings for the backs of fools.
Christian Standard Bible

1Better a poor person who lives with integrity than someone who has deceitful lips and is a fool.
2Even zeal is not good without knowledge, and the one who acts hastily sins.
3A person's own foolishness leads him astray, yet his heart rages against the Lord.
4Wealth attracts many friends, but a poor person is separated from his friend.
5A false witness will not go unpunished, and one who utters lies will not escape.
6Many seek a ruler's favor, and everyone is a friend of one who gives gifts.
7All the brothers of a poor person hate him; how much more do his friends keep their distance from him! He may pursue them with words, but they are not there.
8The one who acquires good sense loves himself; one who safeguards understanding finds success.
9A false witness will not go unpunished, and one who utters lies perishes.
10Luxury is not appropriate for a fool-- how much less for a slave to rule over princes!
11A person's insight gives him patience, and his virtue is to overlook an offense.
12A king's rage is like the roaring of a lion, but his favor is like dew on the grass.
13A foolish son is his father's ruin, and a wife's nagging is an endless dripping.
14A house and wealth are inherited from fathers, but a prudent wife is from the Lord.
15Laziness induces deep sleep, and a lazy person will go hungry.
16The one who keeps commands preserves himself; one who disregards his ways will die.
17Kindness to the poor is a loan to the Lord, and he will give a reward to the lender.
18Discipline your son while there is hope; don't set your heart on being the cause of his death.
19A person with intense anger bears the penalty; if you rescue him, you'll have to do it again.
20Listen to counsel and receive instruction so that you may be wise later in life.
21Many plans are in a person's heart, but the Lord's decree will prevail.
22What is desirable in a person is his fidelity; better to be a poor person than a liar.
23The fear of the Lord leads to life; one will sleep at night without danger.
24The slacker buries his hand in the bowl; he doesn't even bring it back to his mouth!
25Strike a mocker, and the inexperienced learn a lesson; rebuke the discerning, and he gains knowledge.
26The one who plunders his father and evicts his mother is a disgraceful and shameful son.
27If you stop listening to correction, my son, you will stray from the words of knowledge.
28A worthless witness mocks justice, and a wicked mouth swallows iniquity. 29Judgments are prepared for mockers, and beatings for the backs of fools.
New Living Translation

1Better to be poor and honest than to be dishonest and a fool.
2Enthusiasm without knowledge is no good; haste makes mistakes.
3People ruin their lives by their own foolishness and then are angry at the LORD.
4Wealth makes many 'friends'; poverty drives them all away.
5A false witness will not go unpunished, nor will a liar escape.
6Many seek favors from a ruler; everyone is the friend of a person who gives gifts!
7The relatives of the poor despise them; how much more will their friends avoid them! Though the poor plead with them, their friends are gone.
8To acquire wisdom is to love oneself; people who cherish understanding will prosper.
9A false witness will not go unpunished, and a liar will be destroyed.
10It isn't right for a fool to live in luxury or for a slave to rule over princes!
11Sensible people control their temper; they earn respect by overlooking wrongs.
12The king's anger is like a lion's roar, but his favor is like dew on the grass.
13A foolish child is a calamity to a father; a quarrelsome wife is as annoying as constant dripping.
14Fathers can give their sons an inheritance of houses and wealth, but only the LORD can give an understanding wife.
15Lazy people sleep soundly, but idleness leaves them hungry.
16Keep the commandments and keep your life; despising them leads to death.
17If you help the poor, you are lending to the LORD--and he will repay you!
18Discipline your children while there is hope. Otherwise you will ruin their lives.
19Hot-tempered people must pay the penalty. If you rescue them once, you will have to do it again.
20Get all the advice and instruction you can, so you will be wise the rest of your life.
21You can make many plans, but the LORD's purpose will prevail.
22Loyalty makes a person attractive. It is better to be poor than dishonest.
23Fear of the LORD leads to life, bringing security and protection from harm.
24Lazy people take food in their hand but don't even lift it to their mouth.
25If you punish a mocker, the simpleminded will learn a lesson; if you correct the wise, they will be all the wiser.
26Children who mistreat their father or chase away their mother are an embarrassment and a public disgrace.
27If you stop listening to instruction, my child, you will turn your back on knowledge.
28A corrupt witness makes a mockery of justice; the mouth of the wicked gulps down evil.
29Punishment is made for mockers, and the backs of fools are made to be beaten.
King James Version

1Better is the poor that walketh in his integrity, than he that is perverse in his lips, and is a fool.
2Also, that the soul be without knowledge, it is not good; and he that hasteth with his feet sinneth.
3The foolishness of man perverteth his way: and his heart fretteth against the LORD.
4Wealth maketh many friends; but the poor is separated from his neighbour.
5A false witness shall not be unpunished, and he that speaketh lies shall not escape.
6Many will intreat the favour of the prince: and every man is a friend to him that giveth gifts. 7All the brethren of the poor do hate him: how much more do his friends go far from him? he pursueth them with words, yet they are wanting to him.
8He that getteth wisdom loveth his own soul: he that keepeth understanding shall find good.
9A false witness shall not be unpunished, and he that speaketh lies shall perish.
10Delight is not seemly for a fool; much less for a servant to have rule over princes.
11The discretion of a man deferreth his anger; and it is his glory to pass over a transgression.
12The king's wrath is as the roaring of a lion; but his favour is as dew upon the grass.
13A foolish son is the calamity of his father: and the contentions of a wife are a continual dropping.
14House and riches are the inheritance of fathers: and a prudent wife is from the LORD.
15Slothfulness casteth into a deep sleep; and an idle soul shall suffer hunger.
16He that keepeth the commandment keepeth his own soul; but he that despiseth his ways shall die.
17He that hath pity upon the poor lendeth unto the LORD; and that which he hath given will he pay him again.
18Chasten thy son while there is hope, and let not thy soul spare for his crying.
19A man of great wrath shall suffer punishment: for if thou deliver him, yet thou must do it again.
20Hear counsel, and receive instruction, that thou mayest be wise in thy latter end.
21There are many devices in a man's heart; nevertheless the counsel of the LORD, that shall stand.
22The desire of a man is his kindness: and a poor man is better than a liar.
23The fear of the LORD tendeth to life: and he that hath it shall abide satisfied; he shall not be visited with evil.
24A slothful man hideth his hand in his bosom, and will not so much as bring it to his mouth again.
25Smite a scorner, and the simple will beware: and reprove one that hath understanding, and he will understand knowledge.
26He that wasteth his father, and chaseth away his mother, is a son that causeth shame, and bringeth reproach.
27Cease, my son, to hear the instruction that causeth to err from the words of knowledge.
28An ungodly witness scorneth judgment: and the mouth of the wicked devoureth iniquity.
29Judgments are prepared for scorners, and stripes for the back of fools.

What does Proverbs chapter 19 mean?

The first segment of this chapter makes multiple references to personal integrity and wealth. It's far better to be moral—and to have a reputation for honesty—than to have temporary wealth and be seen as a liar. And yet, the world all too often favors the wealthy, through shallow "friendships," while ignoring those who have nothing material to offer. Solomon also notes one of the hallmarks of foolishness: reacting according to one's desires instead of to truth. The fool jumps at the chance to do things their way. When the inevitable consequences come, they blame God instead of their own choices (Proverbs 19:1–7).

The next group of statements cover a wide range of ideas. These include typical comments about the value of wisdom, the consequences of ignoring it, the importance of common sense and practicality, and the fallible nature of human planning. Self-control should be sought and is important to instill in one's children. Even as an adult, it's crucial to take good advice when it's given, rather than refusing to learn even from one's mistakes (Proverbs 19:8–21).

Last in this chapter are comments which focus on respect for God's will and the disastrous results of ignoring it. Following the Lord's leading is not a magical formula which guarantees success. And yet, it is by far the most sensible way to pursue life. Even the inexperienced person should be able to see what happens when people defy God; they should learn the appropriate lesson from those observations. A person who refuses to learn—even a wise person who decides to stop learning—is inviting difficulty to their own life (Proverbs 19:22–29).
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