The Bible: Proverbs Chapter 19 - in World English Version with Audio and Chapter Commentary.

Proverbs Chapter 19

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 the LORD.

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 favour 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 offence.

12 The king's wrath is like the roaring of a lion, but his favour 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 the LORD.

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 the LORD; 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 the LORD'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 the LORD 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.

Footnotes

Version: World English Bible

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Proverbs Chapter 19 Guide

Verse Proverbs 19:7. This is the only case in this first collection of proverbs in which we find three clauses. It is certainly most likely that the third clause is incomplete. Something has been lost. If this be not so, then the proverb which sets forth the extremely pitiable condition of the poor ends by declaring that to him the promises of friends are not fulfilled.

Verse Proverbs 19:16. Here "he that is careless of his ways" simply means, of course, "he that keepeth not the commandment."

Verse Proverbs 19:21. This is a perfectly self evident assertion, but, as such, important as to warrant a pause in reading it. The one thing in the heart that may be depended upon is the counsel or guidance of Jehovah.

Verse Proverbs 19:24. Is it possible to find anywhere a more graphic or sarcastic description of absolute laziness?

Verse Proverbs 19:27. The meaning here is that it is better not to learn than to learn to refuse to obey.

From "An Exposition of the Whole Bible" by G. Campbell Morgan.

Proverbs Chapter 19 Commentary

Verse 1

A poor man who fears God, is more honourable and happy, than a man without wisdom and grace, however rich or advanced in rank.

Verse 2

What good can the soul do, if without knowledge? And he sins who will not take time to ponder the path of his feet.

Verse 3

Men run into troubles by their own folly, and then fret at the appointments of God.

Verse 4

Here we may see how strong is men's love of money.

Verse 5

Those that tell lies in discourse, are in a fair way to be guilty of bearing false-witness.

Verse 6

We are without excuse if we do not love God with all our hearts. His gifts to us are past number, and all the gifts of men to us are fruits of his bounty.

Verse 7

Christ was left by all his disciples; but the Father was with him. It encourages our faith that he had so large an experience of the sorrows of poverty.

Verse 8

Those only love their souls aright that get true wisdom.

Verse 9

Lying is a damning, destroying sin.

Verse 10

A man that has not wisdom and grace, has no right or title to true joy. It is very unseemly for one who is a servant to sin, to oppress God's free-men.

Verse 11

He attains the most true glory who endeavours most steadily to overcome evil with good.

Verse 12

Christ is a King, whose wrath against his enemies will be as the roaring of a lion, and his favour to his people as the refreshing dew.

Verse 13

It shows the vanity of the world, that we are liable to the greatest griefs where we promise ourselves the greatest comfort.

Verse 14

A discreet and virtuous wife is more valuable than house and riches.

Verse 15

A sluggish, slothful disposition makes men poor; it brings them to want. And this applies both to the present life and that which is to come.

Verse 16

If we keep God's word, God's word will keep us from every thing really hurtful. We abuse the doctrine of free grace, if we think that it does away the necessity and advantage of obedience. Those that live at random must die. This truth is clearly taught in words enough to alarm the stoutest sinner.

Verse 17

God has chosen the poor of this world, to be rich in faith, and heirs of his kingdom.

Verse 18

When parents keep under foolish tenderness, they do their best to render children a comfort to them, and happy in themselves.

Verse 19

The spared and spoiled child is likely to become a man of great wrath.

Verse 20

Those that would be wise in their latter end, must be taught and ruled when young.

Verse 21

What should we desire, but that all our purposes may agree with God's holy will?

Verse 22

It is far better to have a heart to do good, and want ability for it, than to have ability for it, and want a heart to it.

Verse 23

Those that live in the fear of God, shall get safety, satisfaction, and true and complete happiness.

Verse 24

Indolence, when indulged, so grows upon people, that they have no heart to do the most needful things for themselves.

Verse 25

A gentle rebuke goes farthest with a man of understanding.

Verse 26

The young man who wastes his father's substance, or makes his aged mother destitute, is hateful, and will come to disgrace.

Verse 27

It is the wisdom of young men to dread hearing such talk as puts loose and evil principles into the mind.

Verse 28

Those are the worst of sinners, who are glad of an opportunity to sin.

Verse 29

The unbelief of man shall not make God's threatenings of no effect. Christ himself, when bearing sins not his own, was not spared. Justice and judgment took hold of our blessed Surety; and will God spare obstinate sinners?

From the "Concise Commentary on the Bible" by Matthew Henry.

The Bible: Proverbs Chapter 19: with Audio and Commentary.