Proverbs 19
1 Better is a poor man who walks in his integrity than he who is perverse in speech and is a fool.
The ability to live rightly and speak wisely is more valuable than a big fat bank account.
2 Also it is not good for a person to be without knowledge, and he who hurries his footsteps errs.
When you set out to do something take time to figure out how to do it.
3 The foolishness of man ruins his way, and his heart rages against the LORD.
If you’ve done something stupid, don’t blame God for it.
4 Wealth adds many friends, but a poor man is separated from his friend.
People love to hang out with rich people. If you are rich, understand that many of your friends are your friends just because of what you can give them.
5 A false witness will not go unpunished, and he who tells lies will not escape.
Don’t tell lies to save a friend or yourself; you will not get away with it.
6 Many will seek the favor of a generous man, and every man is a friend to him who gives gifts.
People are drawn to generous people.
7 All the brothers of a poor man hate him; how much more do his friends abandon him! He pursues them with words, but they are gone.
People run away from poor people.
8 He who gets wisdom loves his own soul; he who keeps understanding will find good.
Wisdom and understanding are better than friendships. Friends come and go based on whether you are generous and wealthy, but wisdom and understanding are friends that help you in your time of need.
9 A false witness will not go unpunished, and he who tells lies will perish.
Don’t tell lies to save a friend or yourself; you will not get away with it.
10 Luxury is not fitting for a fool; much less for a slave to rule over princes.
Get wisdom before you spend money furnishing your home. A foolish person will waste a lot of money buying the wrong furniture.
Get wisdom before you get power; competent people don’t like working for fools.
11 A man's discretion makes him slow to anger, and it is his glory to overlook a transgression.
Learn to overlook as many slights as you can; it is so awesome to not be troubled by all the minor faults you find in those around you.
12 The king's wrath is like the roaring of a lion, but his favor is like dew on the grass.
When those in power over you are angry, you will know it; but when they are pleased with you, you will almost miss knowing it.
13 A foolish son is destruction to his father, and the contentions of a wife are a constant dripping.
If you are fortunate to have a wise son and wife who doesn’t nag you, you are a very blessed man.
14 House and wealth are an inheritance from fathers, but a prudent wife is from the LORD.
If your wife lives to optimize the future of your household then God has blessed you.
15 Laziness casts into a deep sleep, and an idle man will suffer hunger.
Don’t be lazy; work hard so that you will have plenty to enjoy.
16 He who keeps the commandment keeps his soul, but he who is careless of conduct will die.
Keep an eye, and a tight leash, on your behavior. If you neglect to corral it, you will end up in trouble sooner or later.
17 One who is gracious to a poor man lends to the LORD, and He will repay him for his good deed.
God will compensate you for the help that you give the poor.
18 Discipline your son while there is hope, and do not desire his death.
It is vital that you ensure that your children are trained in doing what’s right. Don’t neglect to do it for any reason.
19 A man of great anger will bear the penalty, for if you rescue him, you will only have to do it again.
Don’t rescue people from the consequences of their behavior. Let them suffer the consequences so that they change their behavior.
20 Listen to counsel and accept discipline, that you may be wise the rest of your days.
You have to learn to accept advice and discipline. It will help you be wise.
21 Many plans are in a man's heart, but the counsel of the LORD will stand.
You may think that you can accomplish this and that, but what God says will happen will happen.
22 What is desirable in a man is his kindness, and it is better to be a poor man than a liar.
A kind man gives people space to be themselves and blossom and grow. He keeps his rules to the minimum. He is easy to live with. Being kind is a part of being wise.
Telling the truth will sometimes cost you money, but it is money worth losing.
23 The fear of the LORD leads to life, so that one may sleep satisfied, untouched by evil.
If you seek to please God, you will sleep well.
24 The sluggard buries his hand in the dish, but will not even bring it back to his mouth.
Some people are so lazy that they will not even do what is good for them. It is so difficult to help them.
25 Strike a scoffer and the naive may become shrewd, but reprove one who has understanding and he will gain knowledge.
Some people simply cannot learn sensibility. It is so difficult to help them.
26 He who assaults his father and drives his mother away is a shameful and disgraceful son.
Realize that some people are so obnoxious that they go against their own parents i.e. the people who care for them the most.
27 Cease listening, my son, to discipline, and you will stray from the words of knowledge.
We are forever going astray. So, we need people to let us know when we are going astray. Discipline is important, even when you are an old man. If no one can speak into your life and call you out, you will go astray.
28 A rascally witness makes a mockery of justice, and the mouth of the wicked spreads iniquity.
Realize that there are people who will lie even when they are under oath to tell the truth.
29 Judgments are prepared for scoffers, and blows for the back of fools.
People who miss out on wisdom will face tough situations and will not know how to handle them.
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