Proverbs19
King James 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, 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.
6Many will entreat the favour of the prince: 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, yet they are wanting to him.
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 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.
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.
18Chasten thy son while there is hope, and let not thy soul spare for his crying.
19A man of great wrath shall suffer punishment: for if thou deliver him, yet thou must do it again.
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.
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.
29Judgments are prepared for scorners, 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