Worthy.Bible » Parallel » Proverbs » Chapter 19 » Verse 1-29

Proverbs 19:1-29 King James Version (KJV)

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, it is not good; and he that hasteth with his feet sinneth.

3 The foolishness of man perverteth his way: and his heart fretteth against the LORD.

4 Wealth maketh many friends; but the poor is separated from his neighbour.

5 A false witness shall not be unpunished, and he that speaketh lies shall not escape.

6 Many will intreat the favour of the prince: 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, yet they are wanting to him.

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 speaketh lies shall perish.

10 Delight is not seemly for a fool; much less for a servant to have rule over princes.

11 The discretion of a man deferreth his 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 favour 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 the inheritance of fathers: and a prudent wife is from the LORD.

15 Slothfulness casteth into a deep sleep; and an idle soul shall suffer hunger.

16 He that keepeth the commandment keepeth his own soul; but he that despiseth his ways shall die.

17 He that hath pity upon the poor lendeth unto the LORD; and that which he hath given will he pay him again.

18 Chasten thy son while there is hope, and let not thy soul spare for his crying.

19 A man of great wrath shall suffer punishment: for if thou deliver him, yet thou must do it 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; nevertheless the counsel of the LORD, that shall stand.

22 The desire of a man is his kindness: and a poor man is better than a liar.

23 The fear of the LORD tendeth to life: and he that hath it shall abide satisfied; he shall not be visited with evil.

24 A slothful man hideth his hand in his bosom, and will not so much as bring it to his mouth again.

25 Smite a scorner, and the simple will beware: and reprove one that hath understanding, and he will understand knowledge.

26 He that wasteth his father, and chaseth away his mother, is a son that causeth shame, and bringeth reproach.

27 Cease, my son, to hear the instruction that causeth to err from the words of knowledge.

28 An ungodly witness scorneth judgment: and the mouth of the wicked devoureth iniquity.

29 Judgments are prepared for scorners, and stripes for the back of fools.


Proverbs 19:1-29 King James Version with Strong's Concordance (STRONG)

1 Better H2896 is the poor H7326 that walketh H1980 in his integrity, H8537 than he that is perverse H6141 in his lips, H8193 and is a fool. H3684

2 Also, that the soul H5315 be without knowledge, H1847 it is not good; H2896 and he that hasteth H213 with his feet H7272 sinneth. H2398

3 The foolishness H200 of man H120 perverteth H5557 his way: H1870 and his heart H3820 fretteth H2196 against the LORD. H3068

4 Wealth H1952 maketh H3254 many H7227 friends; H7453 but the poor H1800 is separated H6504 from his neighbour. H7453

5 A false H8267 witness H5707 shall not be unpunished, H5352 and he that speaketh H6315 lies H3577 shall not escape. H4422

6 Many H7227 will intreat H2470 the favour H6440 of the prince: H5081 and every man is a friend H7453 to him H376 that giveth gifts. H4976

7 All the brethren H251 of the poor H7326 do hate H8130 him: how much more do his friends H4828 go far H7368 from him? he pursueth H7291 them with words, H561 yet they are wanting to him.

8 He that getteth H7069 wisdom H3820 loveth H157 his own soul: H5315 he that keepeth H8104 understanding H8394 shall find H4672 good. H2896

9 A false H8267 witness H5707 shall not be unpunished, H5352 and he that speaketh H6315 lies H3577 shall perish. H6

10 Delight H8588 is not seemly H5000 for a fool; H3684 much less for a servant H5650 to have rule H4910 over princes. H8269

11 The discretion H7922 of a man H120 deferreth H748 his anger; H639 and it is his glory H8597 to pass over H5674 a transgression. H6588

12 The king's H4428 wrath H2197 is as the roaring H5099 of a lion; H3715 but his favour H7522 is as dew H2919 upon the grass. H6212

13 A foolish H3684 son H1121 is the calamity H1942 of his father: H1 and the contentions H4079 of a wife H802 are a continual H2956 dropping. H1812

14 House H1004 and riches H1952 are the inheritance H5159 of fathers: H1 and a prudent H7919 wife H802 is from the LORD. H3068

15 Slothfulness H6103 casteth H5307 into a deep sleep; H8639 and an idle H7423 soul H5315 shall suffer hunger. H7456

16 He that keepeth H8104 the commandment H4687 keepeth H8104 his own soul; H5315 but he that despiseth H959 his ways H1870 shall die. H4191

17 He that hath pity H2603 upon the poor H1800 lendeth H3867 unto the LORD; H3068 and that which he hath given H1576 will he pay him again. H7999

18 Chasten H3256 thy son H1121 while there is H3426 hope, H8615 and let not thy soul H5315 spare H5375 for his crying. H4191

19 A man H1419 of great H1632 wrath H2534 shall suffer H5375 punishment: H6066 for if thou deliver H5337 him, yet thou must do it again. H3254

20 Hear H8085 counsel, H6098 and receive H6901 instruction, H4148 that thou mayest be wise H2449 in thy latter end. H319

21 There are many H7227 devices H4284 in a man's H376 heart; H3820 nevertheless the counsel H6098 of the LORD, H3068 that shall stand. H6965

22 The desire H8378 of a man H120 is his kindness: H2617 and a poor man H7326 is better H2896 than H376 a liar. H3577

23 The fear H3374 of the LORD H3068 tendeth to life: H2416 and he that hath it shall abide H3885 satisfied; H7649 he shall not be visited H6485 with evil. H7451

24 A slothful H6102 man hideth H2934 his hand H3027 in his bosom, H6747 and will not so much as bring H7725 it to his mouth H6310 again. H7725

25 Smite H5221 a scorner, H3887 and the simple H6612 will beware: H6191 and reprove H3198 one that hath understanding, H995 and he will understand H995 knowledge. H1847

26 He that wasteth H7703 his father, H1 and chaseth away H1272 his mother, H517 is a son H1121 that causeth shame, H954 and bringeth reproach. H2659

27 Cease, H2308 my son, H1121 to hear H8085 the instruction H4148 that causeth to err H7686 from the words H561 of knowledge. H1847

28 An ungodly H1100 witness H5707 scorneth H3887 judgment: H4941 and the mouth H6310 of the wicked H7563 devoureth H1104 iniquity. H205

29 Judgments H8201 are prepared H3559 for scorners, H3887 and stripes H4112 for the back H1460 of fools. H3684


Proverbs 19:1-29 American Standard (ASV)

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.


Proverbs 19:1-29 Young's Literal Translation (YLT)

1 Better `is' the poor walking in his integrity, Than the perverse `in' his lips, who `is' a fool.

2 Also, without knowledge the soul `is' not good, And the hasty in feet is sinning.

3 The folly of man perverteth his way, And against Jehovah is his heart wroth.

4 Wealth addeth many friends, And the poor from his neighbour is separated.

5 A false witness is not acquitted, Whoso breatheth out lies is not delivered.

6 Many entreat the face of the noble, And all have made friendship to a man of gifts.

7 All the brethren of the poor have hated him, Surely also his friends have been far from him, He is pursuing words -- they are not!

8 Whoso is getting heart is loving his soul, He is keeping understanding to find good.

9 A false witness is not acquitted, And whoso breatheth out lies perisheth.

10 Luxury is not comely for a fool, Much less for a servant to rule among princes.

11 The wisdom of a man hath deferred his anger, And his glory `is' to pass over transgression.

12 The wrath of a king `is' a growl as of a young lion, And as dew on the herb his good-will.

13 A calamity to his father `is' a foolish son, And the contentions of a wife `are' a continual dropping.

14 House and wealth `are' the inheritance of fathers, And from Jehovah `is' an understanding wife.

15 Sloth causeth deep sleep to fall, And an indolent soul doth hunger.

16 Whoso is keeping the command is keeping his soul, Whoso is despising His ways dieth.

17 Whoso is lending `to' Jehovah is favouring the poor, And his deed He repayeth to him.

18 Chastise thy son, for there is hope, And to put him to death lift not up thy soul.

19 A man of great wrath is bearing punishment, For, if thou dost deliver, yet again thou dost add.

20 Hear counsel and receive instruction, So that thou art wise in thy latter end.

21 Many `are' the purposes in a man's heart, And the counsel of Jehovah it standeth.

22 The desirableness of a man `is' his kindness, And better `is' the poor than a liar.

23 The fear of Jehovah `is' to life, And satisfied he remaineth -- he is not charged with evil.

24 The slothful hath hidden his hand in a dish, Even unto his mouth he bringeth it not back.

25 A scorner smite, and the simple acts prudently, And give reproof to the intelligent, He understandeth knowledge.

26 Whoso is spoiling a father causeth a mother to flee, A son causing shame, and bringing confusion.

27 Cease, my son, to hear instruction -- To err from sayings of knowledge.

28 A worthless witness scorneth judgment, And the mouth of the wicked swalloweth iniquity.

29 Judgments have been prepared for scorners, And stripes for the back of fools!


Proverbs 19:1-29 Darby English Bible (DARBY)

1 Better is a poor [man] that walketh in his integrity, than he that is perverse in his lips, and is a fool.

2 Also that a person be without knowledge is not good; and he that hasteth with his feet maketh false steps.

3 The folly of man distorteth his way, and his heart is irritated against Jehovah.

4 Wealth addeth many friends; but the poor is separated from his friend.

5 A false witness shall not be held innocent, and he that uttereth lies shall not escape.

6 Many court the favour of a noble; and every one is friend to a man that giveth.

7 All the brethren of a poor [man] hate him; how much more do his friends go far from him: he pursueth [them] with words, -- they are not [to be found].

8 He that getteth sense loveth his own soul; he that keepeth understanding shall find good.

9 A false witness shall not be held innocent, and he that uttereth lies shall perish.

10 Good living beseemeth not a fool; how 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 displeasure is as the roaring of a lion; but his favour 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 wealth 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; he that is careless of his ways shall die.

17 He that is gracious to the poor lendeth unto Jehovah; and what he hath bestowed will he repay unto him.

18 Chasten thy son, seeing there is hope; but set not thy soul upon killing him.

19 A man of great wrath shall suffer punishment; for if thou deliver [him], yet thou must do it again.

20 Hear counsel, and receive instruction, that thou mayest be wise in thy latter end.

21 Many are the thoughts in a man's heart, but the counsel of Jehovah, that doth stand.

22 The charm of a man 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 rest satisfied without being visited with evil.

24 A sluggard burieth his hand in the dish, and will not even bring it to his mouth again.

25 Smite a scorner, and the simple will beware; reprove the intelligent, and he will understand knowledge.

26 He that ruineth [his] father and chaseth away [his] mother is a son that causeth shame and bringeth reproach.

27 Cease, my son, to hear the instruction which causeth to stray from the words of knowledge.

28 A witness of Belial scorneth judgment, and the mouth of the wicked swalloweth down iniquity.

29 Judgments are prepared for scorners, and stripes for the back of the foolish.


Proverbs 19:1-29 World English Bible (WEB)

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.


Proverbs 19:1-29 Bible in Basic English (BBE)

1 Better is the poor man whose ways are upright, than the man of wealth whose ways are twisted.

2 Further, without knowledge desire is not good; and he who is over-quick in acting goes out of the right way.

3 By his foolish behaviour a man's ways are turned upside down, and his heart is bitter against the Lord.

4 Wealth makes a great number of friends; but the poor man is parted from his friend.

5 A false witness will not go without punishment, and the breather out of deceit will not go free.

6 Great numbers will make attempts to get the approval of a ruler: and every man is the special friend of him who has something to give.

7 All the brothers of the poor man are against him: how much more do his friends go far from him! ...

8 He who gets wisdom has love for his soul: he who keeps good sense will get what is truly good.

9 A false witness will not go without punishment, and the breather out of deceit will be cut off.

10 Material comfort is not good for the foolish; much less for a servant to be put over rulers.

11 A man's good sense makes him slow to wrath, and the overlooking of wrongdoing is his glory.

12 The king's wrath is like the loud cry of a lion, but his approval is like dew on the grass.

13 A foolish son is the destruction of his father; and the bitter arguments of a wife are like drops of rain falling without end.

14 House and wealth are a heritage from fathers, but a wife with good sense is from the Lord.

15 Hate of work sends deep sleep on a man: and he who has no industry will go without food.

16 He who keeps the law keeps his soul; but death will be the fate of him who takes no note of the word.

17 He who has pity on the poor gives to the Lord, and the Lord will give him his reward.

18 Give your son training while there is hope; let not your heart be purposing his death.

19 A man of great wrath will have to take his punishment: for if you get him out of trouble you will have to do it again.

20 Let your ear be open to suggestion and take teaching, so that at the end you may be wise.

21 A man's heart may be full of designs, but the purpose of the Lord is unchanging.

22 The ornament of a man is his mercy, and a poor man is better than one who is false.

23 The fear of the Lord gives life: and he who has it will have need of nothing; no evil will come his way.

24 The hater of work puts his hand deep into the basin, and will not even take it to his mouth again.

25 When blows overtake the man of pride, the simple will get sense; say sharp words to the wise, and knowledge will be made clear to him.

26 He who is violent to his father, driving away his mother, is a son causing shame and a bad name.

27 A son who no longer gives attention to teaching is turned away from the words of knowledge.

28 A good-for-nothing witness makes sport of the judge's decision: and the mouth of evil-doers sends out evil like a stream.

29 Rods are being made ready for the man of pride, and blows for the back of the foolish.

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).