1Más vale ser pobre e intachable
que necio y embustero.
2El afán sin conocimiento no vale nada;
mucho yerra quien mucho corre.
3La necedad del hombre le hace perder el rumbo,
y para colmo su corazón se irrita contra el Señor.
4Con las riquezas aumentan los amigos,
pero al pobre hasta su amigo lo abandona.
5El testigo falso no quedará sin castigo;
el que esparce mentiras no saldrá bien librado.
6Muchos buscan congraciarse con los poderosos;
todos son amigos de quienes reparten regalos.
7Si al pobre lo aborrecen sus parientes,
con más razón lo evitan sus amigos.
Aunque los busca suplicante,
por ninguna parte los encuentra.19:7 Texto de difícil traducción.
8El que adquiere cordura19:8 cordura. Lit. corazón. a sí mismo se ama,
y el que retiene el discernimiento prospera.
9El testigo falso no quedará sin castigo;
el que difunde mentiras perecerá.
10No va bien con el necio vivir entre lujos,
y menos con el esclavo gobernar a los príncipes.
11El buen juicio hace al hombre paciente;
su gloria es pasar por alto la ofensa.
12Rugido de león es la ira del rey;
su favor es como rocío sobre el pasto.
13El hijo necio es la ruina del padre;
la mujer pendenciera es gotera constante.
14La casa y el dinero se heredan de los padres,
pero la esposa inteligente es un don del Señor.
15La pereza conduce al sueño profundo;
el holgazán pasará hambre.
16El que cumple el mandamiento cumple consigo mismo;
el que descuida su conducta morirá.
17Servir al pobre es hacerle un préstamo al Señor;
Dios pagará esas buenas acciones.
18Corrige a tu hijo mientras aún hay esperanza;
no te hagas cómplice de su muerte.19:18 no te hagas … muerte. Alt. pero no te excedas hasta matarlo.
19El iracundo tendrá que afrontar el castigo;
el que intente disuadirlo aumentará su enojo.19:19 Texto de difícil traducción.
20Escucha el consejo y acepta la corrección,
y llegarás a ser sabio.
21El corazón humano genera muchos proyectos,
pero al final prevalecen los designios del Señor.
22De todo hombre se espera lealtad.19:22 De todo … lealtad. Alt. El anhelo de todo hombre es su amor.
Más vale ser pobre que mentiroso.
23El temor del Señor conduce a la vida;
da un sueño tranquilo y evita los problemas.
24El perezoso mete la mano en el plato,
pero es incapaz de llevarse el bocado a la boca.
25Golpea al insolente, y se hará prudente el inexperto;
reprende al entendido, y ganará en conocimiento.
26El que roba a su padre y echa a la calle a su madre
es un hijo infame y sinvergüenza.
27Hijo mío, si dejas de atender a la corrección,
te apartarás de las palabras del saber.
28El testigo corrupto se burla de la justicia,
y la boca del malvado engulle maldad.
29El castigo se dispuso para los insolentes,
y los azotes para la espalda de los necios.
1Better is the poor that walketh in his integrity, than he that is perverse in his lips, and is a fool. 2Also, that the soul be without knowledge, it is not good; and he that hasteth with his feet sinneth. 3The foolishness of man perverteth his way: and his heart fretteth against the LORD. 4Wealth maketh many friends; but the poor is separated from his neighbour. 5A false witness shall not be unpunished, and he that speaketh lies shall not escape.19.5 unpunished: Heb. held innocent
6Many will intreat the favour of the prince: and every man is a friend to him that giveth gifts.19.6 him…: Heb. a man of gifts 7All the brethren of the poor do hate him: how much more do his friends go far from him? he pursueth them with words, yet they are wanting to him. 8He that getteth wisdom loveth his own soul: he that keepeth understanding shall find good.19.8 wisdom: Heb. an heart 9A false witness shall not be unpunished, and he that speaketh lies shall perish. 10Delight is not seemly for a fool; much less for a servant to have rule over princes. 11The discretion of a man deferreth his anger; and it is his glory to pass over a transgression.19.11 discretion: or, prudence 12The king’s wrath is as the roaring of a lion; but his favour is as dew upon the grass. 13A foolish son is the calamity of his father: and the contentions of a wife are a continual dropping. 14House and riches are the inheritance of fathers: and a prudent wife is from the LORD. 15Slothfulness casteth into a deep sleep; and an idle soul shall suffer hunger. 16He that keepeth the commandment keepeth his own soul; but he that despiseth his ways shall die. 17He that hath pity upon the poor lendeth unto the LORD; and that which he hath given will he pay him again.19.17 that which…: or, his deed 18Chasten thy son while there is hope, and let not thy soul spare for his crying.19.18 for…: or, to his destruction: or, to cause him to die 19A man of great wrath shall suffer punishment: for if thou deliver him, yet thou must do it again.19.19 do: Heb. add 20Hear counsel, and receive instruction, that thou mayest be wise in thy latter end. 21There are many devices in a man’s heart; nevertheless the counsel of the LORD, that shall stand. 22The desire of a man is his kindness: and a poor man is better than a liar. 23The fear of the LORD tendeth to life: and he that hath it shall abide satisfied; he shall not be visited with evil. 24A slothful man hideth his hand in his bosom, and will not so much as bring it to his mouth again. 25Smite a scorner, and the simple will beware: and reprove one that hath understanding, and he will understand knowledge.19.25 will beware: Heb. will be cunning 26He that wasteth his father, and chaseth away his mother, is a son that causeth shame, and bringeth reproach. 27Cease, my son, to hear the instruction that causeth to err from the words of knowledge. 28An ungodly witness scorneth judgment: and the mouth of the wicked devoureth iniquity.19.28 An…: Heb. A witness of Belial 29Judgments are prepared for scorners, and stripes for the back of fools.
