Chapter Nineteen

Better to be poor and walk with integrity than to be a fool who is deceitful in his words.

Enthusiasm without knowledge is not good, for he who is too hasty will stumble in his way.

It is a man’s foolishness that leads him to ruin, yet his angry mind will blame Jehovah instead.

Wealth allows one to win many friends, while poverty separates a man from whatever friends he might have.

A perjurer will not go unpublished; he who utters lies shall not go free.

Many seek the favor of the ruler and everybody is friends with the man who offers gifts.

The poor man is shunned by his relations.  How much more do his friends keep their distance from him.  He pursues them with his pleas — but they are are not to be found!
He that acquires wisdom loves his own life.  He that holds on to understanding will prosper.

A perjurer will not go unpublished; he who utters lies shall be destroyed.

It is not seemly that a fool should live in luxury, much less  so for a slave to rule over princes.

A man’s discretion will bid him hold his temper, and it is to his credit to overlook a slight.

The wrath of a king is like the roaring of a lion, but his goodwill is like the dew upon the grass.

A foolish son is the ruin of his father and a contentious wife is like the continual dripping of a leaky roof.

A house and wealth may be inherited from your parents, but a sensible wife is from Jehovah.

Indolence may allow one to sleep well, but the lazy man will suffer from hunger.

Whoever keeps the Commandments keeps his life, but he who despises them will die.

Kindness to the poor is a loan to Jehovah.  He will repay the lender for his good deed.

Discipline your son when there is the opportunity, so that you will not be a party to his death.

Let the hot-tempered man take his punishment, for if you spare him, you will have to do it again.

Heed advice and accept instruction, and you will eventually be counted wise.

There may be many a plan in the mind of man, but it is the plan of Jehovah that prevails.

What makes a person attractive is his love and loyalty; better to be a poor man than a liar.

Reverence for Jehovah brings life.  With it you will rest contentedly and not be troubled by evil.

The lazy man plunges his hand into the food bowl, but will not even bring the food to his mouth.

Punish a scoffer and he of simple mind will become wary.  But reprove a man of understanding and he will learn.

Whoever steals from his father and drives away his mother is a son of disgrace and shame.

Do not stop receiving instruction, my son, nor forget the words of knowledge you have been taught.

A perjuring witness makes a mockery of justice and the mouth of the wicked devours injustice.

Punishments are made for mockers and floggings for the back of fools.

Chapter Eighteen

The loner pursues selfish goals and refuses to accept sound advice.

Fools find no pleasure in understanding; they only want to vent their own opinions.

When the wicked comes, so does contempt, and with dishonor, comes scorn.

The words that come from a man’s mouth are like deep waters; the fountain of wisdom, a flowing brook.

It is not good to show partiality to the wicked and deprive the righteous of justice.

The lips of a fool incite conflict; his mouth provokes a beating.

The mouths of fools bring about their ruin; their lips ensnare their own lives.

The words of the gossip are devoured like tasty treats, and they penetrate to one’s innermost being.

One who is lackadaisical in his work is akin to one who is destructive.

The name of Jehovah is a strong tower to which the righteous run to be protected.

Before his downfall the heart of a man is haughty, before he is honored, it is humble.

To answer before one hears the question is folly and shameful.

A man’s spirit can bear physical suffering, but can it endure anguish?

The mind of the intelligent man acquires knowledge and his ear is open to learning.

A gift open doors for a man and affords him access to the great.

The first to plead his case sounds right, until someone else comes to dispute him.

Casting a lot settles disputes and parts strong adversaries.

A relative who has been offended is harder to win over than a well-fortified city, quarrels are like the bars of a fortress.

A man’s stomach is sated by the fruit of his mouth; it is filled by the product of his lips.

The tongue has the power of life and death; those who love talk will appreciate its effects.

Whoever finds a wife has found something good and has a received a favor from Jehovah.

The poor may plead, but the rich will respond with harshness.

A man with many friends may still come to ruin, but there is a friend who remains closer than a brother.