¶ Better¹ is the poor that walketh in his integrity, than he that is perverse² in his lips, and is a fool.

¶ Also, that the³ soul be without knowledge, it is not good; and⁴ he that hasteth with his feet sinneth.

¶ The foolishness⁵ of man perverteth his way: and his heart fretteth⁶ against the LORD.

¶ Wealth maketh⁷ many friends; but the poor⁸ is separated from his neighbour.

¶ A false⁹ witness shall not be unpunished¹⁰, and he that speaketh lies shall not escape.

¶ Many will¹¹ intreat the favour of the prince: and¹² every man is a friend to him that giveth gifts¹³.

All the brethren¹⁴ of the poor do hate him: how much more do his friends go far from him? he¹⁵ pursueth them with words, yet¹⁶ they are wanting to him.

¶ He that getteth wisdom¹⁷ loveth¹⁸ his own soul: he that keepeth¹⁹ understanding shall find good.

¶ A false²⁰ witness shall not be unpunished, and²¹ he that speaketh lies shall perish.

¶ Delight²² is not seemly for a fool; much²³ less for a servant to have rule over princes.

¶ The discretion²⁴ of a man deferreth his anger; and²⁵ it is his glory to pass over a transgression.

¶ The king's²⁶ wrath is as the roaring of a lion; but his²⁷ favour is as dew upon the grass.

¶ A foolish²⁸ son is the calamity of his father: and the contentions²⁹ of a wife are a continual dropping.

¶ House and riches are the inheritance³⁰ of fathers: and a³¹ prudent wife is from the LORD.

¶ Slothfulness casteth³² into a deep sleep; and³³ an idle soul shall suffer hunger.

¶ He that keepeth the³⁴ commandment keepeth his³⁵ own soul; but he that despiseth³⁶ his ways shall die.

¶ He that hath³⁷ pity upon the poor lendeth³⁸ unto the LORD; and that which he hath given³⁹ will he pay him again.

¶ Chasten⁴⁰ thy son while there is hope, and let not thy soul spare for his crying⁴¹.

¶ A man⁴² of great wrath shall suffer punishment: for if thou deliver him, yet thou must do it again⁴³.

¶ Hear counsel, and receive⁴⁴ instruction, that thou mayest be⁴⁵ wise in thy latter end.

¶ There are many⁴⁶ devices in a man's heart; nevertheless⁴⁷ the counsel of the LORD, that shall stand.

¶ The desire⁴⁸ of a man is his kindness: and⁴⁹ a poor man is better than a liar.

¶ The fear⁵⁰ of the LORD tendeth to life: and he that hath it shall abide⁵¹ satisfied; he shall⁵² not be visited with evil.

¶⁵³A slothful man hideth his hand in his bosom, and will not so much as bring it to his mouth again.

¶ Smite⁵⁴ a scorner, and the simple will beware⁵⁵: and reprove one that hath understanding, and he will understand knowledge.

¶ He that wasteth⁵⁶ his father, and chaseth away his mother, is a son⁵⁷ that causeth shame, and bringeth reproach.

¶⁵⁸Cease, my son, to hear the instruction that causeth to err from the words of knowledge.

¶ An ungodly witness⁵⁹ scorneth⁶⁰ judgment: and the⁶¹ mouth of the wicked devoureth iniquity.

¶ Judgments⁶² are prepared for scorners, and⁶³ stripes for the back of fools.