1 Better is a poor man who walks in his integrity {betum: wholeness of character} than one whose lips {sephataiv: domain of speech} are perverse and who is a fool.
2 Also, a soul without knowledge is not good {nefesh: life force}, and one who is hasty with his feet sins {chote: misses the mark}.
3 The folly {ivvelet: foolish behavior} of a man perverts his way, and his heart rages against the LORD {YHWH, Moral Arbiter}.
4 Wealth {hon: possessions} increases many friends, but a poor person is separated from his friend {re’a: close companion}.
5 A false witness {ed: false testifier} will not go unpunished, and one who breathes out lies will not escape {yimmalet: slip away}.
6 Many seek the favor {penei-nadiv: personal goodwill} of a generous person, and everyone is a friend to a man who gives gifts {mattan: voluntary offering}.
7 All the brothers of the poor{rash: one in need} hate him; even so, his companions{mereehu: close friends} have distanced themselves from him. He pursues them with words, but they are not there for him.
8 One who acquires heart loves his soul; he who guards understanding {tevunah: discerning insight} will find good {tov: beneficial outcome}.
9 A false witness will not be acquitted {yinnakeh: freed from charge}, and he who breathes out {veyaphiach: forcefully utters} lies will perish.
10 It is not fitting for a fool to enjoy luxury {taanug: extravagant delight}, and even less fitting for a servant to rule over princes {sarim: rulers of people}.
11 The discretion {sekhel: prudent insight} of a man prolongs his anger, and it is his glory to overlook a transgression {pesha: moral rebellion}.
12 The king’s wrath {wrath: intense anger} is like the roaring of a young lion, and his favor is like dew upon the grass {esev: tender vegetation}.
13 A foolish son is a disaster {ḥăvvôt: ruinous harm} to his father, and the disputes {mîḏyēnê: repeated quarrels} of a wife are a continual dripping.
14 A house and wealth are an inheritance from fathers, but a prudent {maskelet: wise, discerning} wife is from the LORD {YHWH, Giver of Blessings}.
15 Laziness will bring on a deep sleep {tardemah: unnatural torpor}, and an idle soul {nefesh: life essence} will go hungry.
16 The one who keeps the commandment preserves his soul {nephesh: whole self}, but whoever despises {bozeh: contemptuously reject} his ways will die.
17 One who is gracious to the poor lends to the LORD {YHWH, Divine Guarantor}, and He will repay him with recompense {gemul: repayment}.
18 Discipline your son while there is hope{tikvah: confident expectation}, and do not let your soul{nefesh: inner life and will} desire his death.
19 A man of great wrath {chemah: seething anger} bears punishment {onesh: retribution}, for if you deliver him, you will only have to do it again.
20 Hear counsel {‘etsah: thoughtful guidance} and receive discipline {musar: formative correction}, so that you may become wise in your final outcome.
21 Many are the plans in a man’s heart, but the counsel of the LORD {YHWH, Unchanging Wisdom} will stand {takum: will endure}.
22 What is desirable in a man is his kindness {khasdo: devoted love}, and a poor person is better than a liar {kazav: false speaker}.
23 The fear of the LORD {YHWH, Honored Guide} leads to life, and one who is satisfied will lodge {savea: filled to contentment}; he will not be visited by evil.
24 The sluggard buries {taman: conceals entirely} his hand in the dish {tsallachat: serving bowl}; even to his mouth he does not bring it back.
25 Strike a scoffer, and the simple {peti: inexperienced} will become shrewd; and reprove one who is understanding, and he will discern knowledge {da‘at: insight with comprehension}.
26 A son who devastates his father and drives away his mother is one who brings shame {mebish: causes contempt} and disgrace {machpir: deep humiliation}.
27 If you cease, my son, to listen to instruction {musar: disciplinary teaching}, you will stray from the words of knowledge {daʿat: true understanding}.
28 A worthless {beliya'al: lawless scoundrel} witness mocks justice, and the mouth of the wicked swallows iniquity {aven: moral trouble}.
29 Judgments are prepared for scorners, and stripes {mahalumot: corporal discipline} for the back of fools {kesilim: those lacking wisdom}.