Proverbs Chapter 19
From The Open Bible Project
19:1 Better is the poor who walks in his integrity than he who is perverse in his lips and is a fool.
19:2 It isn't good to have zeal without knowledge; nor being hasty with one's feet and missing the way.
19:3 The foolishness of man subverts his way; his heart rages against Yahweh.
19:4 Wealth adds many friends, but the poor is separated from his friend.
19:5 A false witness shall not be unpunished. He who pours out lies shall not go free.
19:6 Many will entreat the favor of a ruler, and everyone is a friend to a man who gives gifts.
19:7 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.
- (a) To have comfort from them.
19:8 He who gets wisdom loves his own soul. He who keeps understanding shall find good.
- (b) He that is upright in judgment finds favour from God.
19:9 A false witness shall not be unpunished. He who utters lies shall perish.
19:10 Delicate living is not appropriate for a fool, much less for a servant to have rule over princes.
- (c) The free use of things are not to be permitted to him who cannot use them correctly.
19:11 The discretion of a man makes him slow to anger. It is his glory to overlook an offense.
- (d) That is, to cover it by charity, and to do in it as may most serve to God’s glory.
19:12 The king's wrath is like the roaring of a lion, but his favor is like dew on the grass.
19:13 A foolish son is the calamity of his father. A wife's quarrels are a continual dripping.
- (e) As rain that drops and rots the house.
19:14 House and riches are an inheritance from fathers, but a prudent wife is from Yahweh.
19:15 Slothfulness casts into a deep sleep. The idle soul shall suffer hunger.
19:16 He who keeps the commandment keeps his soul, but he who is contemptuous in his ways shall die.
19:17 He who has pity on the poor lends to Yahweh; he will reward him.
19:18 Discipline your son, for there is hope; don't be a willing party to his death.
19:19 A hot-tempered man must pay the penalty, for if you rescue him, you must do it again.
- (f) Though for a time he gives place to counsel, yet soon after will he give place to his raging affections.
19:20 Listen to counsel and receive instruction, that you may be wise in your latter end.
19:21 There are many plans in a man's heart, but Yahweh's counsel will prevail.
- (g) Man’s device will not have success, unless God governs it, whose purpose is unchangeable.
19:22 That which makes a man to be desired is his kindness. A poor man is better than a liar.
- (h) That is, that he be honest: for the poor man who is honest is to be esteemed above the rich who is not virtuous.
19:23 The fear of Yahweh leads to life, then contentment; he rests and will not be touched by trouble.
19:24 The sluggard buries his hand in the dish; he will not so much as bring it to his mouth again.
19:25 Flog a scoffer, and the simple will learn prudence; rebuke one who has understanding, and he will gain knowledge.
- (i) That is, the simple and ignorant men learn when they see the wicked punished.
19:26 He who robs his father and drives away his mother, is a son who causes shame and brings reproach.
19:27 If you stop listening to instruction, my son, you will stray from the words of knowledge.
19:28 A corrupt witness mocks justice, and the mouth of the wicked gulps down iniquity.
- (k) Takes a pleasure and delight in it, as gluttons and drunkards in delicate meats and drinks.
19:29 Penalties are prepared for scoffers, and beatings for the backs of fools.
