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1Better a poor man 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[L] sins.
3A man’s own foolishness leads him astray,
yet his heart rages against the Lord.
4Wealth attracts many friends,
but a poor man 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 man hate him;
how much more do his friends
keep their distance from him!
He may pursue them with words,
but they are not there.[M]
8The one who acquires good sense[N] 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 sensible 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[O] his ways will die.
17Kindness to the poor is a loan to the Lord,
and He will give a reward to the lender.[P]
18Discipline your son while there is hope;
don’t be intent on killing him.[Q]
19A person with great 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.[R]
21Many plans are in a man’s heart,
but the Lord’s decree will prevail.
22What is desirable in a man is his fidelity;
better to be a poor man than a liar.
23The fear of the Lord leads to life;
one will sleep at night[S] 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 assaults 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.
Holman Christian Standard Bible® / © 2003 by Holman Bible Publishers About