19:1 Better is a poor person who walks in his integrity
than one who is crooked in speech and is a fool.
2 Desire1 without knowledge is not good,
and whoever makes haste with his feet misses his way.
3 When a man’s folly brings his way to ruin,
his heart rages against the LORD.
4 Wealth brings many new friends,
but a poor man is deserted by his friend.
5 A false witness will not go unpunished,
and he who breathes out lies will not escape.
6 Many seek the favor of a generous man,2
and everyone is a friend to a man who gives gifts.
7 All a poor man’s brothers hate him;
how much more do his friends go far from him!
He pursues them with words, but does not have them.3
8 Whoever gets sense loves his own soul;
he who keeps understanding will discover good.Footnotes
[1] 19:2
Or A soul
[2] 19:6Or of a noble
[3] 19:7The meaning of the Hebrew sentence is uncertain (ESV)
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