The Counsel of Yahweh Will Stand
Better is a poor man who walks in his integrity
Than he who is crooked in lips and is a fool.
2 Also it is not good for a person to be without knowledge,
And he who hurries his footsteps sins.
3 The folly of man subverts his way,
But his heart rages against Yahweh.
4 Wealth adds many friends,
But a poor man is separated from his friend.
5 A false witness will not go unpunished,
And he who breathes out lies will not escape.
6 Many will seek the favor of a noble man,
And everyone is a friend to a man who gives gifts.
7 All the brothers of a poor man hate him;
How much more do his friends distance themselves from him!
He pursues them with words, but they are no more.
8 He who acquires a heart of wisdom loves his own soul;
He who keeps discernment will find good.
9 A false witness will not go unpunished,
And he who breathes out lies will perish.
10 Luxury is not fitting for a fool;
Much less for a slave to rule over princes.
11 A man’s insight makes him slow to anger,
And it is his honor to overlook a transgression.
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 destruction to his father,
And the contentions of a wife are a constant dripping.
14 House and wealth are an inheritance from fathers,
But a wife who has insight is from Yahweh.
15 Laziness casts into a deep sleep,
And a slack‑handed soul will suffer hunger.
16 He who keeps the commandment keeps his soul,
But he who despises his way will die.
17 He who is gracious to a poor man lends to Yahweh,
And He will repay him for his bountiful deed.
18 Discipline your son while there is hope,
And do not direct your soul to put him to death.
19 A man of great wrath will bear the penalty,
For if you deliver him, you will only have to do it again.
20 Listen to counsel and receive discipline,
That you may be wise in the end of your days.
21 Many thoughts are in a man’s heart,
But it is the counsel of Yahweh that will stand.
22 What is desirable in a man is his lovingkindness,
And better is a poor man than a man of falsehood.
23 The fear of Yahweh leads to life,
So that one may sleep satisfied, not visited by evil.
24 The sluggard buries his hand in the dish,
But will not even bring it back to his mouth.
25 Strike a scoffer and the simple may become prudent,
But reprove one who has understanding and he will understand knowledge.
26 He who assaults his father and causes his mother to flee
Is a son who brings shame and humiliation.
27 Cease listening, my son, to discipline,
And you will stray from the words of knowledge.
28 A vile witness scoffs at justice,
And the mouth of the wicked swallows up iniquity.
29 Judgments are established for scoffers,
And beatings for the back of fools.