The Man of Integrity 1 RV Better is the poor that walketh in his integrity than he that perverse in his lips and is a fool. BSB BSB: Better a poor man who walks with integrity than a fool whose lips are perverse.
2 RV Also, that the soul be without knowledge is not good; and he that hasteth with his feet sinneth. BSB BSB: Even zeal is no good without knowledge, and he who hurries his footsteps misses the mark.
3 RV The foolishness of man subverteth his way; and his heart fretteth against the LORD. BSB BSB: A man’s own folly subverts his way, yet his heart rages against the LORD.
4 RV Wealth addeth many friends: but the poor is separated from his friend. BSB BSB: Wealth attracts many friends, but a poor man is deserted by his friend.
5 RV A false witness shall not be unpunished; and he that uttereth lies shall not escape. BSB BSB: A false witness will not go unpunished, and one who utters lies will not escape.
6 RV Many will entreat the favour of the liberal man: and every man is a friend to him that giveth gifts. BSB BSB: Many seek the favor of the prince, and everyone is a friend of the gift giver.
7 RV All the brethren of the poor do hate him: how much more do his friends go far from him! he pursueth them with words, but they are gone. 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 RV He that getteth wisdom loveth his own soul: he that keepeth understanding shall find good. BSB BSB: He who acquires wisdom loves himself; one who safeguards understanding will find success.
9 RV A false witness shall not be unpunished; and he that uttereth lies shall perish. BSB BSB: A false witness will not go unpunished, and one who pours out lies will perish.
10 RV Delicate living is not seemly for a fool; much less for a servant to have rule over princes. BSB BSB: Luxury is unseemly for a fool—how much worse for a slave to rule over princes!
11 RV The discretion of a man maketh him slow to anger; and it is his glory to pass over a transgression. BSB BSB: A man’s insight gives him patience, and his virtue is to overlook an offense.
12 RV The king’s wrath is as the roaring of a lion; but his favour is as dew upon the grass. BSB BSB: A king’s rage is like the roar of a lion, but his favor is like dew on the grass.
13 RV A foolish son is the calamity of his father: and the contentions of a wife are a continual dropping. BSB BSB: A foolish son is his father’s ruin, and a quarrelsome wife is like a constant dripping.
14 RV House and riches are an inheritance from fathers: but a prudent wife is from the LORD. BSB BSB: Houses and wealth are inherited from fathers, but a prudent wife is from the LORD.
15 RV Slothfulness casteth into a deep sleep; and the idle soul shall suffer hunger. BSB BSB: Laziness brings on deep sleep, and an idle soul will suffer hunger.
16 RV He that keepeth the commandment keepeth his soul: but he that is careless of his ways shall die. BSB BSB: He who keeps a commandment preserves his soul, but he who is careless in his ways will die.
17 RV He that hath pity upon the poor lendeth unto the LORD, and his good deed will he pay him again. BSB BSB: Kindness to the poor is a loan to the LORD, and He will repay the lender.
18 RV Chasten thy son, seeing there is hope; and set not thy heart on his destruction. BSB BSB: Discipline your son, for in that there is hope; do not be party to his death.
19 RV A man of great wrath shall bear the penalty: for if thou deliver him , thou must do it yet again. BSB BSB: A man of great anger must pay the penalty; if you rescue him, you will have to do so again.
20 RV Hear counsel, and receive instruction, that thou mayest be wise in thy latter end. BSB BSB: Listen to counsel and accept discipline, that you may be wise the rest of your days.
21 RV There are many devices in a man’s heart; but the counsel of the LORD, that shall stand. BSB BSB: Many plans are in a man’s heart, but the purpose of the LORD will prevail.
22 RV The desire of a man is the measure of his kindness: and a poor man is better than a liar. BSB BSB: The desire of a man is loving devotion; better to be poor than a liar.
23 RV The fear of the LORD tendeth to life: and he that hath it shall abide satisfied; he shall not be visited with evil. BSB BSB: The fear of the LORD leads to life, that one may rest content, without visitation from harm.
24 RV The sluggard burieth his hand in the dish, and will not so much as bring it to his mouth again. BSB BSB: The slacker buries his hand in the dish; he will not even bring it back to his mouth.
25 RV smite a scorner, and the simple will learn prudence: and reprove one that hath understanding, and he will understand knowledge. BSB BSB: Strike a mocker, and the simple will beware; rebuke the discerning man, and he will gain knowledge.
26 RV He that spoileth his father, and chaseth away his mother, is a son that causeth shame and bringeth reproach. BSB BSB: He who assaults his father or evicts his mother is a son who brings shame and disgrace.
27 RV Cease, my son, to hear instruction only to err from the words of knowledge. BSB BSB: If you cease to hear instruction, my son, you will stray from the words of knowledge.
28 RV A worthless witness mocketh at judgment: and the mouth of the wicked swalloweth iniquity. BSB BSB: A corrupt witness mocks justice, and a wicked mouth swallows iniquity.
29 RV Judgments are prepared for scorners, and stripes for the back of fools. 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.