Online Bible

On Life and Conduct

^aBetter is a poor man who ^bwalks in his integrityThan he who is perverse in ¹speech and is a fool.2 Also it is not good for a person to be without knowledge,And he who hurries ¹^ahis footsteps ²errs.3 The ^afoolishness of man ruins his way,And his heart ^brages against the LORD.4 ^aWealth adds many friends,But a poor man is separated from his friend.5 A ^afalse witness will not go unpunished,And he who ¹^btells lies will not escape.6 ^aMany will seek the favor of a ¹generous man,And every man is a friend to him who ^bgives gifts.7 All the brothers of a poor man hate him;How much more do his ^afriends abandon him!He ^bpursues them with words, but they are ¹gone.8 He who gets ¹wisdom loves his own soul;He who keeps understanding will ^afind good.9 A ^afalse witness will not go unpunished,And he who ¹tells lies will perish.10 Luxury is ^anot fitting for a fool;Much less for a ^bslave to rule over princes.11 A man’s ^adiscretion makes him slow to anger,And it is his glory ^bto overlook a transgression.12 The ^aking’s wrath is like the roaring of a lion,But his favor is like ^bdew on the grass.13 A ^afoolish son is destruction to his father,And the ^bcontentions of a wife are a constant dripping.14 House and wealth are an ^ainheritance from fathers,But a prudent wife is from the LORD.15 ^aLaziness casts into a deep sleep,And an idle ¹man will suffer hunger.16 He who ^akeeps the commandment keeps his soul,But he who ¹is careless of ²conduct will die.17 One who ^ais gracious to a poor man lends to the LORD,And He will repay him for his ¹^bgood deed.18 ^aDiscipline your son while there is hope,And do not desire ¹his 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 ^aListen to counsel and accept discipline,That you may be wise ¹the rest of your days.21 Many ^aplans are in a man’s heart,But the ^bcounsel of the LORD will stand.22 What is desirable in a man is his ¹kindness,And it is better to be a poor man than a liar.23 The ¹^afear of the LORD leads to life,So that one may sleep ^bsatisfied, ²^cuntouched by evil.24 The ^asluggard buries his hand ^bin the dish,But will not even bring it back to his mouth.25 ^aStrike a scoffer and the ¹naive may become shrewd,But ^breprove one who has understanding and he will ²gain knowledge.26 He ^awho assaults his father and drives his mother awayIs 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 ¹^aspreads iniquity.29 ¹Judgments are prepared for ^ascoffers,And ^bblows for the back of fools.