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Proverbs 19

Proverbs19

World English Bible · Public Domain

Study

1 Better is the poor who walks in his integrity than he who is perverse in his lips and is a fool.

2 It isn’t good to have zeal without knowledge, nor being hasty with one’s feet and missing the way.

3 The foolishness of man subverts his way; his heart rages against Yahweh.

4 Wealth adds many friends, but the poor is separated from his friend.

5 A false witness shall not be unpunished. He who pours out lies shall not go free.

6 Many will entreat the favor of a ruler, and everyone is a friend to a man who gives gifts.

7 All the relatives of the poor shun him; how much more do his friends avoid him! He pursues them with pleas, but they are gone.

8 He who gets wisdom loves his own soul. He who keeps understanding shall find good.

9 A false witness shall not be unpunished. He who utters lies shall perish.

10 Delicate living is not appropriate for a fool, much less for a servant to have rule over princes.

11 The discretion of a man makes him slow to anger. It is his glory to overlook an offense.

12 The king’s wrath is like the roaring of a lion, but his favor is like dew on the grass.

13 A foolish son is the calamity of his father. A wife’s quarrels are a continual dripping.

14 House and riches are an inheritance from fathers, but a prudent wife is from Yahweh.

15 Slothfulness casts into a deep sleep. The idle soul shall suffer hunger.

16 He who keeps the commandment keeps his soul, but he who is contemptuous in his ways shall die.

17 He who has pity on the poor lends to Yahweh; he will reward him.

18 Discipline your son, for there is hope; don’t be a willing party to his death.

19 A hot-tempered man must pay the penalty, for if you rescue him, you must do it again.

20 Listen to counsel and receive instruction, that you may be wise in your latter end.

21 There are many plans in a man’s heart, but Yahweh’s counsel will prevail.

22 That which makes a man to be desired is his kindness. A poor man is better than a liar.

23 The fear of Yahweh leads to life, then contentment; he rests and will not be touched by trouble.

24 The sluggard buries his hand in the dish; he will not so much as bring it to his mouth again.

25 Flog a scoffer, and the simple will learn prudence; rebuke one who has understanding, and he will gain knowledge.

26 He who robs his father and drives away his mother is a son who causes shame and brings reproach.

27 If you stop listening to instruction, my son, you will stray from the words of knowledge.

28 A corrupt witness mocks justice, and the mouth of the wicked gulps down iniquity.

29 Penalties are prepared for scoffers, and beatings for the backs of fools.

Study

Proverbs 19

Public-domain commentary and original-language notes for Proverbs 19. The full AI study guide (summary, themes, context) has its own page.

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.

Cross References

Proverbs 19
v1Proverbs 28:6thematic

Direct parallel confirming integrity in poverty is better than perverse wealth.

Supported by JFB

v11Proverbs 16:32thematic

Parallels deferring anger and passing over offenses as a man's glory.

Supported by JFB

v18Proverbs 13:24thematic

Identifies timely chastisement as genuine parental love rather than destructive sparing.

Supported by JFB

v10Proverbs 30:22thematic

Illustrates the intolerable disruption when a servant rules over princes.

Supported by Matthew Poole

v12Proverbs 20:2thematic

Compares the terrifying wrath of a king to a roaring lion.

Supported by JFB

v21Proverbs 21:30thematic

Confirms human devices fail against the sovereign counsel of the Lord.

Supported by JFB

v24Proverbs 26:15thematic

Uses identical ironic imagery of a sluggard burying his hand in a dish.

Supported by JFB

v4Proverbs 14:20thematic

Underlines how wealth attracts companions while the poor are shunned.

Supported by JFB

v8Proverbs 15:32thematic

Parallels getting wisdom with loving and keeping one's own soul.

Supported by JFB

v9Proverbs 19:5thematic

Repeats the solemn warning that a false witness will not escape punishment.

Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB

v13Proverbs 17:25thematic

Points to a foolish son being a grief and calamity to his parents.

Supported by JFB

v17Proverbs 14:21thematic

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

v231 Timothy 4:8thematic

Shows how godliness and the fear of God tend to life and satisfaction.

Supported by JFB

v29Proverbs 3:34thematic

Affirms that God scorns mockers and prepares judgments for them.

Supported by JFB