Chapter text
World English Bible
Verse-by-verse text with stable anchors, canonical chapter URLs, and copyable verse links.
- 1 Better is the poor who walks in his integrity than he who is perverse in his lips and is a fool.
- 2 It isn’t good to have zeal without knowledge, nor to be hasty with one’s feet and miss the way.
- 3 The foolishness of man subverts his way; his heart rages against the LORD.
- 4 Wealth adds many friends, but the poor is separated from his friend.
- 5 A false witness shall not be unpunished. He who pours out lies shall not go free.
- 6 Many will entreat the favor of a ruler, and everyone is a friend to a man who gives gifts.
- 7 All the relatives of the poor shun him; how much more do his friends avoid him! He pursues them with pleas, but they are gone.
- 8 He who gets wisdom loves his own soul. He who keeps understanding shall find good.
- 9 A false witness shall not be unpunished. He who utters lies shall perish.
- 10 Delicate living is not appropriate for a fool, much less for a servant to have rule over princes.
- 11 The discretion of a man makes him slow to anger. It is his glory to overlook an offense.
- 12 The king’s wrath is like the roaring of a lion, but his favor is like dew on the grass.
- 13 A foolish son is the calamity of his father. A wife’s quarrels are a continual dripping.
- 14 House and riches are an inheritance from fathers, but a prudent wife is from the LORD.
- 15 Slothfulness casts into a deep sleep. The idle soul shall suffer hunger.
- 16 He who keeps the commandment keeps his soul, but he who is contemptuous in his ways shall die.
- 17 He who has pity on the poor lends to the LORD; he will reward him.
- 18 Discipline your son, for there is hope; don’t be a willing party to his death.
- 19 A hot-tempered man must pay the penalty, for if you rescue him, you must do it again.
- 20 Listen to counsel and receive instruction, that you may be wise in your latter end.
- 21 There are many plans in a man’s heart, but the LORD’s counsel will prevail.
- 22 That which makes a man to be desired is his kindness. A poor man is better than a liar.
- 23 The fear of the LORD leads to life, then contentment; he rests and will not be touched by trouble.
- 24 The sluggard buries his hand in the dish; he will not so much as bring it to his mouth again.
- 25 Flog a scoffer, and the simple will learn prudence; rebuke one who has understanding, and he will gain knowledge.
- 26 He who robs his father and drives away his mother is a son who causes shame and brings reproach.
- 27 If you stop listening to instruction, my son, you will stray from the words of knowledge.
- 28 A corrupt witness mocks justice, and the mouth of the wicked gulps down iniquity.
- 29 Penalties are prepared for scoffers, and beatings for the backs of fools.