Moff PROV Chapter 19

19 

Better a poor man of honest life

than a false man, for all his wealth.

2 

It is no use to act before you think:

to be hasty is to miss the mark.

3 

A man’s own folly ruins his affairs--

then he gets angry with the Eternal!

5 

A dishonest witness shall not go unpunished:

he who tells lies shall not escape.

4 

Wealth brings many a friend

but a poor man’s only friend will leave him.

6 

Many pay court to a bountiful man:

all are friends of a man who gives presents.

7 

If all a poor man’s kindred hate him,

how much more will his friends hold aloof?

8 

He who grows wise is a friend to himself;

he who understands life will fare well.

9 

A dishonest witness shall not go unpunished;

he who tells lies shall perish.

10 

Luxury is not fitting for a fool,

much less for a slave to lord it over nobles.

11 

A man’s prudence will make him slow to take offence;

to pass over an offence is his glory.

12 

The anger of a king is like a lion’s roar;

his favour is like dew on grass.

13 

A senseless son is a calamity to his father,

and the nagging of a wife is an endless dripping.

14 

House and riches a man inherits from his father

but a sensible wife comes from the Eternal.

15 

Laziness ends in a deep sleep;

an idle man shall be hungry.

16 

He who obeys the law of God safeguards his life

a man careless of God will die.

17 

He who cares for the poor is lending to the Eternal,

and for his kindness he shall be repaid.

18 

Chastise your son, while there is still hope of him

and do not let him run to ruin.

19 

A man who is fined is furious,

but, even if you pay for him, you will have to pay again.

20 

Listen to counsel and take advice,

that you may manage your life wisely.

21 

Man thinks out many a plan

but ’tis the Eternal’s purpose that prevails.

22 

Friendliness bears fruit for a man:

better be poor and good than false.

23 

Reverence for the Eternal is the way to life;

content with that, one never comes to harm.

24 

The lazy man drops his hand deep in the dish

he will not so much as lift it to his lips.

25 

Beat a scoffer--and you teach fools a lesson:

a man of sense needs only a reproof.

26 

He who ill-treats his father and expels his mothe

is a vile, despicable son.

27 

Cease not, my son, to listen to instruction,

and never turn away from a wise teacher.

28 

A rascal of a witness scoffs at justice,

and perjury pours from a scoundrel’s lips.

29 

Punishment is prepared for scoffers,

and the lash for the back of a fool