1 Better is the poor that walketh in his integrity Than he that is perverse in his lips and is a fool.
2 Also, that the soul be without knowledge is not good; And he that hasteth with his feet sinneth.
3 The foolishness of man subverteth his way; And his heart fretteth against Jehovah.
4 Wealth addeth many friends; But the poor is separated from his friend.
5 A false witness shall not be unpunished; And he that uttereth lies shall not escape.
6 Many will entreat the favor of the liberal man; And every man is a friend to him that giveth gifts.
7 All 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.
8 He that getteth wisdom loveth his own soul: He that keepeth understanding shall find good.
9 A false witness shall not be unpunished; And he that uttereth lies shall perish.
10 Delicate living is not seemly for a fool; Much less for a servant to have rule over princes.
11 The discretion of a man maketh him slow to anger; And it is his glory to pass over a transgression.
12 The king's wrath is as the roaring of a lion; But his favor is as dew upon the grass.
13 A foolish son is the calamity of his father; And the contentions of a wife are a continual dropping.
14 House and riches are an inheritance from fathers; But a prudent wife is from Jehovah.
15 Slothfulness casteth into a deep sleep; And the idle soul shall suffer hunger.
16 He that keepeth the commandment keepeth his soul; `But' he that is careless of his ways shall die.
17 He that hath pity upon the poor lendeth unto Jehovah, And his good deed will he pay him again.
18 Chasten thy son, seeing there is hope; nd set not thy heart on his destruction.
19 A man of great wrath shall bear the penalty; For if thou deliver `him', thou must do it yet again.
20 Hear counsel, and receive instruction, That thou mayest be wise in thy latter end.
21 There are many devices in a man's heart; But the counsel of Jehovah, that shall stand.
22 That which maketh a man to be desired is his kindness; And a poor man is better than a liar.
23 The fear of Jehovah `tendeth' to life; And he `that hath it' shall abide satisfied; He shall not be visited with evil.
24 The sluggard burieth his hand in the dish, And will not so much as bring it to his mouth again.
25 Smite a scoffer, and the simple will learn prudence; And reprove one that hath understanding, `and' he will understand knowledge.
26 He that doeth violence to his father, and chaseth away his mother, Is a son that causeth shame and bringeth reproach.
27 Cease, my son, to hear instruction `Only' to err from the words of knowledge.
28 A worthless witness mocketh at justice; And the mouth of the wicked swalloweth iniquity.
29 Judgments are prepared for scoffers, And stripes for the back of fools.
Worthy.Bible » Commentaries » Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible » Commentary on Proverbs 19
Commentary on Proverbs 19 Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
CHAPTER 19
Pr 19:1-29.
1. (Compare Pr 28:6). "Rich" for fool here. Integrity is better than riches (Pr 15:16, 17; 16:8).
2. The last illustrates the first clause. Rashness, the result of ignorance, brings trouble.
3. perverteth … way—turns him back from right (Pr 13:6; Jas 1:13); and he blames God for his failures.
4. (Compare Pr 14:20). Such facts are often adduced with implied disapprobation.
5. Compare Pr 19:9, where perish explains not escape here (compare Ps 88:9, 10).
8. (Compare Margin; Pr 15:32).
loveth … soul—or, "himself," which he evinces by regarding his best interests.
keepeth—or, "regards."
10. (Compare Pr 17:7). The fool is incapable of properly using pleasure as knowledge, yet for him to have it is less incongruous than the undue elevation of servants. Let each abide in his calling (1Co 7:20).
11. (Compare Pr 14:29; 16:32). This inculcation of a forgiving spirit shows that true religion is always the same (Mt 5:22-24).
12. (Compare Pr 16:14, 15; 20:2). A motive to submission to lawful authority.
13. calamity—literally, "calamities," varied and many.
continual dropping—a perpetual annoyance, wearing out patience.
14. A contrast of men's gifts and God's, who, though author of both blessings, confers the latter by His more special providence.
and—or, "but," implying that the evils of Pr 19:13 are only avoided by His care.
15. a deep sleep—a state of utter indifference.
idle soul—or, "person" (compare Pr 10:4; 12:24).
16. (Compare Pr 10:17; 13:13).
despiseth … ways—opposed to keeping or observing, neglects (Pr 16:17) (as unworthy of regard) his moral conduct.
17. (Compare Pr 14:21; Ps 37:26).
hath pity—shown by acts (compare Margin).
18. (Compare Pr 13:24; 23:13).
let not … spare—literally, "do not lift up thy soul" (Ps 24:4; 25:1), that is, do not desire to his death; a caution to passionate parents against angry chastisement.
19. Repeated efforts of kindness are lost on ill-natured persons.
20. (Compare Pr 13:18-20).
latter end—(Pr 5:11). In youth prepare for age.
21. (Compare Pr 16:1, 9; Ps 33:10, 11). The failure of man's devices is implied.
22. desire—that is, to do good, indicates a kind disposition (Pr 11:23); and the poor thus affected are better than liars, who say and do not.
23. The fear … life—(Compare Pr 3:2).
abide—or, "remain contented" (1Ti 4:8).
not visited with evil—(Pr 10:3; Ps 37:25), as a judgment, in which sense visit is often used (Ps 89:32; Jer 6:15).
24. bosom—literally, a wide dish in which the hand was plunged in eating (Mt 26:23). Compare Pr 26:15, the sentiment expressed with equal irony and less exaggeration.
25. Such is the benefit of reproof; even the simple profit, much more the wise.
26. Unfilial conduct often condemned (Pr 17:21-25; 20:20; De 21:18, 21).
27. Avoid whatever leads from truth.
28. ungodly witness—(Compare Margin), one false by bad principles (compare Pr 6:12).
scorneth judgment—sets at naught the dictates of justice.
devoureth—literally, "swalloweth," as something delightful.
29. Their punishment is sure, fixed, and ready (compare Pr 3:34; 10:13).