Better is the Poor Man with Integrity

1Better is the poor man, that walketh in his simplicity, than a rich man that is perverse in his lips and unwise.

2Where there is no knowledge of the soul, there is no good: and he that is hasty with his feet shall stumble.

3The folly of a man supplanteth his steps: and he fretteth in his mind against God.

4Riches make many friends: but from the poor man, even they whom he had, depart.

5A false witness shall not be unpunished: and he that speaketh lies, shall not escape.

6Many honour the person of him that is mighty, and are friends of him that giveth gifts.

7The brethren of the poor man hate him: moreover also his friends have departed far from him. He that followeth after words only, shall have nothing.

8But he that possesseth a mind, loveth his own soul, and he that keepeth prudence, shall find good things.

9A false witness shall not be unpunished: and he that speaketh lies, shall perish.

10Delicacies are not seemly for a fool: nor for a servant to have rule over princes.

11The learning of a man is known by patience: and his glory is to pass over wrongs.

12As the roaring of a lion, so also is the anger of a king: and his cheerfulness as the dew upon the grass.

13A foolish son is the grief of his father: and a wrangling wife is like a roof continually dropping through.

14House and riches are given by parents: but a prudent wife is properly 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 neglecteth his own way, shall die.

17He that hath mercy on the poor, lendeth to the Lord: and he will repay him.

18Chastise thy son, despair not: but to the killing of him set not thy soul.

19He that is impatient, shall suffer damage: and when he shall take away, he shall add another thing.

20Hear counsel, and receive instruction, that thou mayst be wise in thy latter end.

21There are many thoughts in the heart of a man: but the will of the Lord shall stand firm.

22A needy man is merciful: and better is the poor than the lying man.

23The fear of the Lord is unto life: and he shall abide in the fulness without being visited with evil.

24The slothful hideth his hand under his armpit, and will not so much as bring it to his mouth.

25The wicked man being scourged, the fool shall be wiser: but if thou rebuke a wise man, he will understand discipline.

26He that afflicteth his father, and chaseth away his mother, is infamous and unhappy.

27Cease not, O my son, to hear instruction, and be not ignorant of the words of knowledge.

28An unjust witness scorneth judgment: and the mouth of the wicked devoureth iniquity.

29Judgments are prepared for scorners: and striking hammers for the bodies of fools.