Proverbs19
American Standard Version · Public Domain
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 is not good; And he that hasteth with his feet sinneth.
3The foolishness of man subverteth his way; And his heart fretteth against Jehovah.
4Wealth addeth many friends; But the poor is separated from his friend.
5A false witness shall not be unpunished; And he that uttereth lies shall not escape.
6Many will entreat the favor of the liberal man; And every man is a friend to him that giveth 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, but they are gone.
8He that getteth wisdom loveth his own soul: He that keepeth understanding shall find good.
9A false witness shall not be unpunished; And he that uttereth lies shall perish.
10Delicate living is not seemly for a fool; Much less for a servant to have rule over princes.
11The discretion of a man maketh him slow to anger; And it is his glory to pass over a transgression.
12The king’s wrath is as the roaring of a lion; But his favor 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 an inheritance from fathers; But a prudent wife is from Jehovah.
15Slothfulness casteth into a deep sleep; And the idle soul shall suffer hunger.
16He that keepeth the commandment keepeth his soul; But he that is careless of his ways shall die.
17He that hath pity upon the poor lendeth unto Jehovah, And his good deed will he pay him again.
18Chasten thy son, seeing there is hope; And set not thy heart on his destruction.
19A man of great wrath shall bear the penalty; For if thou deliver him, thou must do it yet again.
20Hear counsel, and receive instruction, That thou mayest be wise in thy latter end.
21There are many devices in a man’s heart; But the counsel of Jehovah, that shall stand.
22That which maketh a man to be desired is his kindness; And a poor man is better than a liar.
23The fear of Jehovah tendeth to life; And he that hath it shall abide satisfied; He shall not be visited with evil.
24The sluggard burieth his hand in the dish, And will not so much as bring it to his mouth again.
25Smite a scoffer, and the simple will learn prudence; And reprove one that hath understanding, and he will understand knowledge.
26He that doeth violence to his father, and chaseth away his mother, Is a son that causeth shame and bringeth reproach.
27Cease, my son, to hear instruction Only to err from the words of knowledge.
28A worthless witness mocketh at justice; And the mouth of the wicked swalloweth iniquity.
29Judgments are prepared for scoffers, And stripes for the back of fools.
Study Guide
Public-domain commentary and original-language notes for Proverbs 19.
v1
A poor man who fears God, is more honourable and happy, than a man without wisdom and grace, however rich or advanced in rank.
v2
What good can the soul do, if without knowledge? And he sins who will not take time to ponder the path of his feet.
v3
Men run into troubles by their own folly, and then fret at the appointments of God.
Key Words
טוֹב: good (as an adjective) in the widest sense; used likewise as a noun, both in the masculine and the feminine, the singular and the plural (good, a good or good thing, a good man or woman; the good, goods or good things, good men or women), also as an adverb (well)
רוּשׁ: to be destitute
הָלַךְ: to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)
תֹּם: completeness; figuratively, prosperity; usually (morally) innocence
מִן: properly, a part of; hence (prepositionally), from or out of in many senses
עִקֵּשׁ: distorted; hence, false
שָׂפָה: the lip (as a natural boundary); by implication, language; by analogy, a margin (of a vessel, water, cloth, etc.)
כְּסִיל: properly, fat, i.e. (figuratively) stupid or silly
לֹא: not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
דַּעַת: knowledge
Cross References
Proverbs 19Direct parallel confirming integrity in poverty is better than perverse wealth.
Supported by JFB
Parallels deferring anger and passing over offenses as a man's glory.
Supported by JFB
Identifies timely chastisement as genuine parental love rather than destructive sparing.
Supported by JFB
Illustrates the intolerable disruption when a servant rules over princes.
Supported by Matthew Poole
Compares the terrifying wrath of a king to a roaring lion.
Supported by JFB
Confirms human devices fail against the sovereign counsel of the Lord.
Supported by JFB
Uses identical ironic imagery of a sluggard burying his hand in a dish.
Supported by JFB
Underlines how wealth attracts companions while the poor are shunned.
Supported by JFB
Parallels getting wisdom with loving and keeping one's own soul.
Supported by JFB
Repeats the solemn warning that a false witness will not escape punishment.
Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB
Points to a foolish son being a grief and calamity to his parents.
Supported by JFB
Reinforces that showing mercy and pity to the poor brings blessing.
Supported by JFB
Law concerning stubborn, rebellious, and abusive children who shame parents.
Supported by JFB
Shows how godliness and the fear of God tend to life and satisfaction.
Supported by JFB
Affirms that God scorns mockers and prepares judgments for them.
Supported by JFB