1 Better is the poor that walketh in his integrity, than he that is perverse in his lips, and is a fool. 2 Also, that the soul be without knowledge, it is not good; and he that hasteth with his feet sinneth. 3 The foolishness of man perverteth his way: and his heart fretteth against the LORD. 4 Wealth maketh many friends; but the poor is separated from his neighbour. 5 A false witness shall not be unpunished, and he that speaketh lies shall not escape.
6 Many will intreat the favour of the prince: and every man is a friend to him that giveth gifts. 7 All the brethren of the poor do hate him: how much more do his friends go far from him? he pursueth them with words, yet they are wanting to him. 8 He that getteth wisdom loveth his own soul: he that keepeth understanding shall find good. 9 A false witness shall not be unpunished, and he that speaketh lies shall perish. 10 Delight is not seemly for a fool; much less for a servant to have rule over princes. 11 The discretion of a man deferreth his anger; and it is his glory to pass over a transgression. 12 The king’s wrath is as the roaring of a lion; but his favour is as dew upon the grass. 13 A foolish son is the calamity of his father: and the contentions of a wife are a continual dropping. 14 House and riches are the inheritance of fathers: and a prudent wife is from the LORD. 15 Slothfulness casteth into a deep sleep; and an idle soul shall suffer hunger. 16 He that keepeth the commandment keepeth his own soul; but he that despiseth his ways shall die. 17 He that hath pity upon the poor lendeth unto the LORD; and that which he hath given will he pay him again. 18 Chasten thy son while there is hope, and let not thy soul spare for his crying. 19 A man of great wrath shall suffer punishment: for if thou deliver him, yet thou must do it again. 20 Hear counsel, and receive instruction, that thou mayest be wise in thy latter end. 21 There are many devices in a man’s heart; nevertheless the counsel of the LORD, that shall stand. 22 The desire of a man is his kindness: and a poor man is better than a liar. 23 The fear of the LORD tendeth to life: and he that hath it shall abide satisfied; he shall not be visited with evil. 24 A slothful man hideth his hand in his bosom, and will not so much as bring it to his mouth again. 25 Smite a scorner, and the simple will beware: and reprove one that hath understanding, and he will understand knowledge. 26 He that wasteth his father, and chaseth away his mother, is a son that causeth shame, and bringeth reproach. 27 Cease, my son, to hear the instruction that causeth to err from the words of knowledge. 28 An ungodly witness scorneth judgment: and the mouth of the wicked devoureth iniquity. 29 Judgments are prepared for scorners, and stripes for the back of fools.
1 'n Arme wat in sy regskapenheid wandel, is beter as 'n verkeerde van lippe en daarby 'n dwaas.
2 Selfs ywer is sonder kennis nie goed nie; en hy wat haastig is met die voete, trap mis.
3 'n Mens se sotheid bederwe sy weg, maar sy hart is vertoorn op die HERE.
4 Goed bring baie vriende aan, maar die arme word deur sy vriend verlaat.
5 'n Valse getuie bly nie ongestraf nie, en hy wat leuens uitstrooi, sal nie vrykom nie.
6 Baie soek die guns van die edele, en die man van geskenke het 'n hoop vriende.
7 Al die broers van die arme haat hom; hoeveel te meer hou sy vriende hulle ver van hom af! Hy jaag agter hulle aan met woorde -- weg is hulle!
8 Wie verstand verkry, het sy lewe lief; hy wat insig bewaar, sal die goeie vind.
9 'n Valse getuie bly nie ongestraf nie, en hy wat leuens uitstrooi, kom om.
10 Weelde pas nie vir 'n dwaas nie, hoeveel minder vir 'n kneg om oor vorste te heers!
11 Die verstand van 'n mens maak hom lankmoedig, en dit is vir hom 'n eer om die oortreding te vergewe.
12 Die grimmigheid van 'n koning is soos die gebrom van 'n jong leeu, maar sy welgevalle is soos dou op die plante.
13 'n Dwase seun is 'n ramp vir sy vader, en die gekyf van 'n vrou is 'n aanhoudende gedrup.
14 Huis en goed is 'n erfenis van die vaders, maar 'n verstandige vrou is van die HERE.
15 Luiheid laat in 'n diep slaap val, en een wat traag is, moet honger ly.
16 Wie die gebod hou, bewaar sy lewe; hy wat sy weë nie ag nie, sal sterwe.
17 Wie hom ontferm oor die arme, leen aan die HERE; en Hy sal hom sy weldaad vergelde.
18 Tugtig jou seun, want daar is hoop; maar laat dit nie in jou opkom om hom dood te maak nie.
19 Hy wat groot van woede is, sal die straf dra; want as jy wil red, dan maak jy dit nog erger.
20 Luister na raad en neem tug aan, sodat jy in die vervolg wys kan wees.
21 Baie planne is in 'n man se hart, maar die raad van die HERE, die sal bestaan.
22 Die kostelike besit van 'n mens is sy weldadigheid; en liewer 'n arme as 'n leuenagtige man.
23 Die vrees van die HERE is tot die lewe; en versadig bring 'n mens die nag deur, sonder om deur 'n onheil besoek te word.
24 Steek die luiaard sy hand in die skottel, dan bring hy dit nie eens na sy mond terug nie.
25 Slaan jy die spotter, dan word die eenvoudige bedagsaam; maar bestraf jy die verstandige, dan sal hy kennis verkry.
26 Hy wat sy vader geweld aandoen en sy moeder wegjaag, is 'n seun wat skande maak en skandelik handel.
27 Hou op, my seun, om na tug te luister, terwyl jy tog afdwaal van die woorde van kennis.
28 'n Deugniet wat getuienis gee, spot met die reg, en die mond van die goddelose verslind onreg.
29 Vir die spotters staan strafgerigte klaar en slae vir die rug van die dwase.