The Man of Integrity

Better is one being poor walking in his integrity

than the one crooked in his lips, and he is a fool.

Also, a soul without knowledge is not good;

and the one hurrying with his feet is sinning.

3The folly of a man perverts his way,

and his heart rages against YHWH.

4Wealth adds many friends,

and a poor one is separated from his friend.

5A witness of falsehoods will not be acquitted,

and the one breathing out lies will not escape.

6Many will entreat the face of a noble,

and everyone is the friend to a man of gift.

7All the brothers of a poor one hate him;

surely also his friends are far from him!

He pursues with words—

they are nowhere.

8The one acquiring heart is loving his soul;

the one guarding understanding will find good.

9A witness of falsehoods will not be acquitted,

and the one breathing out lies will perish.

10Luxury is not fitting for a fool—

even less for a slave to rule over princes.

11The discretion of a man makes long his nose,

and his splendor is to pass over a transgression.

12The rage of a king is like the roaring of the young lion,

and his favor is like dew on the grass.

13A foolish son is the ruin of his father,

and the quarrels of a wife are a continual dripping.

14A house and wealth are the inheritance of fathers,

and from YHWH is a wife who is prudent.

15Sluggishness causes a deep sleep to fall,

and a soul of slackness will be hungry.

16One guarding a commandment is guarding his soul;

one despising His ways will die.

17The one showing favor to the poor is lending to YHWH,

and his dealing He will repay to him.

18Discipline your son, for there is hope,

and do not lift up your soul toward putting him to death.

19One harsh of anger lifts up the penalty;

indeed, if you deliver him, you will add yet again.

20Listen to counsel and receive discipline,

so that you may be wise in your latter end.

21Many plans are in the heart of a man,

and the counsel of YHWH, it will stand.

22The desire of a man is loving devotion,

and one being poor is better than a man of lies.

23The fear of YHWH is to life,

and satisfied he will abide; he will not be visited by evil.

24A lazy one hides his hand in the dish;

even to his mouth he will not bring it back.

25Strike a mocker and a simple one acts prudently;

and rebuke a discerning one—he will discern knowledge.

26One assaulting a father causes a mother to flee;

he is a son causing shame and bringing reproach.

27Cease, my son, to hear instruction—

you will stray from the words of knowledge.

28A witness of worthlessness scorns justice,

and the mouth of wicked ones swallows iniquity.

29Judgments are prepared for the mockers,

and beatings for the back of fools.