1 ARST It is better to be poor and behave honestly than to speak deceitfully and be foolish. BSB BSB: Better a poor man who walks with integrity than a fool whose lips are perverse.
2 ARST Furthermore, it is very bad for people to not know{ what they should know}; people sin who act hastily. BSB BSB: Even zeal is no good without knowledge, and he who hurries his footsteps misses the mark.
3 ARST People who act foolishly destroy themselves, yet they become furious with Yahweh{ and blame him}. BSB BSB: A man’s own folly subverts his way, yet his heart rages against the LORD.
4 ARST Wealthy people{ easily} make many friends, but poor people lose{ even} the friends they have. BSB BSB: Wealth attracts many friends, but a poor man is deserted by his friend.
5 ARST Someone will surely punish lying witnesses. Indeed, someone will surely punish people who lie easily. BSB BSB: A false witness will not go unpunished, and one who utters lies will not escape.
6 ARST A lot of people want royal officials to favor them, and{ it seems like} everyone wants to be friends with generous people. BSB BSB: Many seek the favor of the prince, and everyone is a friend of the gift giver.
7 ARST All the relatives of poor people despise them, and even their friends avoid them! Although they call out{ to them for help}, they do not{ respond}. BSB BSB: All the brothers of a poor man hate him—how much more do his friends avoid him! He may pursue them with pleading, but they are nowhere to be found.
8 ARST People who think wisely benefit themselves; people who remember what they should understand will surely succeed. BSB BSB: He who acquires wisdom loves himself; one who safeguards understanding will find success.
9 ARST Someone will surely punish lying witnesses. Indeed, people who lie easily will die. BSB BSB: A false witness will not go unpunished, and one who pours out lies will perish.
10 ARST It is wrong for foolish people to live luxuriously, and it is even worse for slaves to reign over princes! BSB BSB: Luxury is unseemly for a fool—how much worse for a slave to rule over princes!
11 ARST Insightful people do not get angry quickly, and people show how honorable they are by forgiving{ people who} sin{ against them}. BSB BSB: A man’s insight gives him patience, and his virtue is to overlook an offense.
12 ARST When kings are furious, they frighten people like the roaring of young lions{ frightens people}, but when they approve of people, it is as refreshing as dew on plants. BSB BSB: A king’s rage is like the roar of a lion, but his favor is like dew on the grass.
13 ARST Foolish children destroy their fathers, and when wives argue{ with their husbands}, it is{ as annoying as} constantly dripping water. BSB BSB: A foolish son is his father’s ruin, and a quarrelsome wife is like a constant dripping.
14 ARST People inherit houses and riches from their fathers, but Yahweh{ alone} gives{ men} insightful wives. BSB BSB: Houses and wealth are inherited from fathers, but a prudent wife is from the LORD.
15 ARST Lazy people sleep well, but{ such} idle people are{ always} hungry. BSB BSB: Laziness brings on deep sleep, and an idle soul will suffer hunger.
16 ARST People who obey what others command them enable themselves to stay alive, but people who do not care about what they do will die. BSB BSB: He who keeps a commandment preserves his soul, but he who is careless in his ways will die.
17 ARST Being kind to poor people is{ like} loaning money to Yahweh; he will reward anyone who does so. BSB BSB: Kindness to the poor is a loan to the LORD, and He will repay the lender.
18 ARST Correct your children while you still can; and do not allow yourself to kill them. BSB BSB: Discipline your son, for in that there is hope; do not be party to his death.
19 ARST Very angry people will pay{ for being angry}; if you rescue them{ from what they must pay}, you will have to do so again and again. BSB BSB: A man of great anger must pay the penalty; if you rescue him, you will have to do so again.
20 ARST Pay attention to what people advise you{ to do} and let people teach you in order to become wise when you are about to die. BSB BSB: Listen to counsel and accept discipline, that you may be wise the rest of your days.
21 ARST People plan to do many things, but{ only} what Yahweh advises will succeed. BSB BSB: Many plans are in a man’s heart, but the purpose of the LORD will prevail.
22 ARST People want others to be faithful, and poor people are better than people who lie. BSB BSB: The desire of a man is loving devotion; better to be poor than a liar.
23 ARST Reverently fearing Yahweh causes people to live for a long time; such people rest contently, nothing will harm them. BSB BSB: The fear of the LORD leads to life, that one may rest content, without visitation from harm.
24 ARST Lazy people put their hands in a dish{ of food},{ but are so lazy that} they will not lift the food to their mouths. BSB BSB: The slacker buries his hand in the dish; he will not even bring it back to his mouth.
25 ARST { If you} punish people who ridicule{ others},{ then} naive people{ who see you do that} will become sensible.{ If you} correct understanding people,{ then} they will learn what they should know. BSB BSB: Strike a mocker, and the simple will beware; rebuke the discerning man, and he will gain knowledge.
26 ARST Children who act violently toward their fathers and chase away their mothers are disgraceful and embarrassing. BSB BSB: He who assaults his father or evicts his mother is a son who brings shame and disgrace.
27 ARST My child, if you stop listening to what people teach you, then you will reject what you{ already} know that people told you. BSB BSB: If you cease to hear instruction, my son, you will stray from the words of knowledge.
28 ARST Worthless witnesses scorn what is just, and wicked people enjoy acting sinfully as if they were gulping down delicious food. BSB BSB: A corrupt witness mocks justice, and a wicked mouth swallows iniquity.
29 ARST Yahweh is ready to condemn people who ridicule{ others}, and he is ready to beat fools on their backs. BSB BSB: Judgments are prepared for mockers, and beatings for the backs of fools.
Select verses for actions: Enter goes to them and Escape comes back.