Proverbs of Solomon 19 — The Holy Bible

Mercy and Malice

A man's lack of discernment maltreats his ways,

And in his heart he blames God.

Wealth adds many friends,

But the poor man is even forsaken by an existing friend.

A false witness shall not be unpunished,

And he who accuses unrighteously shall not escape.

Many men serve in the presence of kings,

But every evil man becomes a reproach to another man.

Every man who hates his poor brother,

He shall be far from friendship.

Good understanding will draw near those who know it,

And a man with discernment will find it.

He who does many evil things perfects wickedness,

And he who provokes with words,

He shall not be saved.

He who gains discernment loves himself,

And he who guards discernment will find good things.

A false witness shall not be unpunished,

And he who kindles evil will perish by it.

Luxury is not profitable for a man without discernment,

And it is not good if a servant begins to rule with arrogance.

A merciful man is longsuffering,

And his boast goes against the lawless.

The anger of a king is like the roar of a lion,

But as dew upon the grass, thus is his grace.

A son without discernment is a disgrace to his father,

And vows paid from the wage of a prostitute are not pure.

Fathers divide the house and property to their children,

But a wife is suited to her husband by God.

Cowardice possesses a weak man,

And the soul of the idle man will be hungry.

He who guards the commandment keeps his soul,

But he who despises his ways shall perish.

The one who has mercy on the poor lends to God,

And He will repay him according to his gift.

Instruct your son, for thus he shall be hopeful,

But do not lift up your soul in arrogance.

A malicious man shall be punished severely,

And if he commits injury, he will also add this to his soul.

Hear, my son, the instruction of your father,

That you may become wise in your last days.

There are many thoughts in the heart of a man,

But the counsel of the Lord abides forever.

Mercy is fruit to a man,

And a poor righteous man is better than a rich liar.

The fear of the Lord is unto life for a man,

And he shall lodge without fear in places where knowledge is not examined.

A man who hides his hands in his bosom unrighteously,

He will not even bring them up to his mouth.

When a pestilent man is punished, a man without discernment becomes more astute,

But if you reprove a discerning man, he will understand perception.

He who dishonors his father and pushes away his mother,

He will be shamed and reproached.

A son who forsakes guarding his father's instruction,

He will think about evil sayings.

He who becomes surety for an undiscerning child despises the ordinance,

And the mouth of the ungodly swallows judgments.

Lashes are prepared for the intemperate

And punishments for the shoulders of those without discernment.