Proverbs 19-20

New Catholic Bible

¹ It is better to be poor and lead an honest life
    than to be wealthy and perverse in one’s ways.
² Zeal is useless when not accompanied by knowledge,
    and acting hastily causes one to stumble.
³ A man’s own folly leads to his ruin,
    yet it is against the Lord that his heart rages.^[b]
4 Wealth attracts many friends,
    but a poor man’s only friend will desert him.
⁵ A false witness will not escape punishment,
    neither will the one who tells lies.
⁶ Many court the favor of the great,
    and everyone is a friend to a man who bestows gifts.
⁷ The poor man is despised by all his brothers;
    how much more do his friends desert him!
He pursues them with entreaties
    but all in vain.
⁸ Whoever gains wisdom loves his own soul;
    one who cherishes understanding will prosper.
⁹ A false witness will not escape punishment,
    and the one who tells lies will perish.
¹⁰ It is not fitting for a fool to live in luxury,
    much less for a slave to rule over princes.
¹¹ A man with good sense is slow to anger,
    and he earns glory for overlooking an offense.
¹² A king’s anger is like the roaring of a lion,
    but his favor is like dew on the grass.
¹³ A foolish son^[c] is a calamity to his father,
    and a nagging wife is like an endless dripping of water.
¹⁴ A house and wealth are inherited from parents,
    but a prudent wife is a gift from the Lord.
¹⁵ Laziness results in excessive sleep,
    and an idle man suffers hunger.^[d]
16 Whoever observes the commandments will live,
    but the one who scorns them will die.
¹⁷ Whoever is kind to the poor lends to the Lord^[e]
    who will recompense him for his kindness.
¹⁸ Chastise your son while there is still hope for him,
    but do not allow your anger to cause his death.
¹⁹ One with a violent temper must bear the consequences;
    if you spare him, you make his evil worse.^[f]
20 Heed advice and accept instruction
    so that your wisdom may increase in the future.
²¹ Many are the plans in a human mind,
    but it is the purpose of the Lord that will prevail.^[g]
22 A man’s attraction is his kindness;
    it is far better to be poor than to be a liar.
²³ The fear of the Lord^[h] leads to life,
    enabling one to eat and sleep without fear of harm.
²⁴ The idler^[i] will dip his hand into the dish,
    but he will not so much as lift it to his mouth.
²⁵ If you strike a scoffer,^[j] the simple will learn prudence;
    if you reprove an intelligent man, he will gain understanding.
²⁶ Anyone who maltreats his father and casts out his mother^[k]
    is a shameful and despicable son.
²⁷ If a son ceases to accept correction,
    he strays from the words of knowledge.
²⁸ A lying witness makes a mockery of justice,
    and the mouth of the wicked feasts on iniquity.
²⁹ Punishments were meant for scoffers
    and flogging for the backs of fools.

¹ Wine encourages recklessness and strong drink leads to brawls;
    anyone who allows them to seduce him is not wise.^[m]
2 The anger of a king is like the roar of a lion;
    he who provokes him places his life in jeopardy.
³ It is honorable to avoid strife,
    but every fool is quarrelsome.
⁴ The idler^[n] does not plow in season;
    so at harvest-time he looks for a crop in vain.
⁵ The purpose of a man’s heart is like deep water,
    but a discerning person will draw it out.
⁶ Many declare their loyalty,
    but who can find someone truly faithful?
⁷ When a man leads a blameless and upright life,
    blessed are the children who succeed him.
⁸ A king who is seated on the throne of judgment
    will eradicate all evil with a mere glance.
⁹ Who can truly say, “I have cleansed my heart
    and I am purified of all sin”?^[o]
10 Weights and measures that are not consistent
    are an abomination to the Lord.
¹¹ By his very actions a child reveals
    whether his conduct is innocent and upright.
¹² The ear that hears and the eye that sees—
    the Lord has made both of them.
¹³ Do not love sleep if you wish to avoid poverty;
    remain awake and you will never lack food.
¹⁴ “No good, no good,” says the buyer,
    but then he goes forth to boast about his bargain.^[p]
15 There is gold or an abundance of costly pearls,
    but the lips that reveal knowledge are a rare jewel.
¹⁶ Take the garment of anyone who becomes surety for a stranger;
    demand a pledge as security for persons unknown to you.^[q]
17 Bread obtained by deceit may taste sweet to a man,
    but afterward his mouth is filled with grit.
¹⁸ Plans will succeed when good advice is accepted;
    follow wise guidance when waging war.
¹⁹ A tale-bearer will reveal secrets;
    so do not associate with a gossip.
²⁰ If anyone curses his father or mother,^[r]
    his lamp will go out in utter darkness.
²¹ Possessions that are quickly acquired in the beginning
    will not be blessed in the end.
²² Do not say, “I will repay evil,”^[s]
    but trust in the Lord, who will help you.
²³ Differing weights are an abomination to the Lord,
    and dishonest scales are not acceptable to him.
²⁴ A man’s steps are directed by the Lord;
    how then can anyone understand his own way?
²⁵ It is rash to pledge a sacred gift,
    or to make a vow and then have second thoughts.^[t]
26 A wise king winnows the wicked
    and requites them for their guilt.^[u]
27 The human spirit is the lamp of the Lord
    that searches out the innermost self.
²⁸ Loyalty and faithfulness preserve the king,
    and his throne is founded on saving justice.
²⁹ The glory of youths is their strength,
    but the splendor of the aged is their gray hair.
³⁰ Evil is cleansed away by blows that wound,
    and beatings chasten the innermost being.^[v]