Chapter
Verse

Proverbs chapter 19

English Standard Version

1Better is a poor person who walks in his integrity than one who is crooked in speech and is a fool. 2Desire without knowledge is not good, and whoever makes haste with his feet misses his way. 3When a man’s folly brings his way to ruin, his heart rages against the LORD. 4Wealth brings many new friends, but a poor man is deserted by his friend. 5A false witness will not go unpunished, and he who breathes out lies will not escape. 6Many seek the favor of a generous man, and everyone is a friend to a man who gives gifts. 7All a poor man’s brothers hate him; how much more do his friends go far from him! He pursues them with words, but does not have them. 8Whoever gets sense loves his own soul; he who keeps understanding will discover good. 9A false witness will not go unpunished, and he who breathes out lies will perish. 10It is not fitting for a fool to live in luxury, much less for a slave to rule over princes. 11Good sense makes one slow to anger, and it is his glory to overlook an offense. 12A king’s wrath is like the growling of a lion, but his favor is like dew on the grass. 13A foolish son is ruin to his father, and a wife’s quarreling is a continual dripping of rain. 14House and wealth are inherited from fathers, but a prudent wife is from the LORD. 15Slothfulness casts into a deep sleep, and an idle person will suffer hunger. 16Whoever keeps the commandment keeps his life; he who despises his ways will die. 17Whoever is generous to the poor lends to the LORD, and he will repay him for his deed. 18Discipline your son, for there is hope; do not set your heart on putting him to death. 19A man of great wrath will pay the penalty, for if you deliver him, you will only have to do it again. 20Listen to advice and accept instruction, that you may gain wisdom in the future. 21Many are the plans in the mind of a man, but it is the purpose of the LORD that will stand. 22What is desired in a man is steadfast love, and a poor man is better than a liar. 23The fear of the LORD leads to life, and whoever has it rests satisfied; he will not be visited by harm. 24The sluggard buries his hand in the dish and will not even bring it back to his mouth. 25Strike a scoffer, and the simple will learn prudence; reprove a man of understanding, and he will gain knowledge. 26He who does violence to his father and chases away his mother is a son who brings shame and reproach. 27Cease to hear instruction, my son, and you will stray from the words of knowledge. 28A worthless witness mocks at justice, and the mouth of the wicked devours iniquity. 29Condemnation is ready for scoffers, and beating for the backs of fools.
New International Version

New American Standard Bible

1Better is a poor person who walks in his integrity Than a person who is perverse in speech and is a fool. 2Also it is not good for a person to be without knowledge, And one who hurries his footsteps errs. 3The foolishness of a person ruins his way, And his heart rages against the Lord. 4Wealth adds many friends, But a poor person is separated from his friend. 5A false witness will not go unpunished, And one who declares lies will not escape. 6Many will seek the favor of a generous person, And every person is a friend to him who gives gifts. 7All the brothers of a poor person hate him; How much more do his friends abandon him! He pursues them with words, but they are gone. 8One who gets wisdom loves his own soul; One who keeps understanding will find good. 9A false witness will not go unpunished, And one who declares lies will perish. 10Luxury is not fitting for a fool; Much less for a slave to rule over princes. 11A person’s discretion makes him slow to anger, And it is his glory to overlook an offense. 12A king’s wrath is like the roaring of a lion, But his favor is like dew on the grass. 13A foolish son is destruction to his father, And the quarrels of a wife are a constant dripping. 14House and wealth are an inheritance from fathers, But a prudent wife is from the Lord. 15Laziness casts one into a deep sleep, And a lazy person will suffer hunger. 16One who keeps the commandment keeps his soul, But one who is careless of conduct will die. 17One who is gracious to a poor person lends to the Lord, And He will repay him for his good deed. 18Discipline your son while there is hope, And do not desire his death. 19 A person of great anger will suffer the penalty, For if you rescue him, you will only have to do it again. 20Listen to advice and accept discipline, So that you may be wise the rest of your days. 21Many plans are in a person’s heart, But the advice of the Lord will stand. 22What is desirable in a person is his kindness, And it is better to be a poor person than a liar. 23 The fear of the Lord leads to life, So that one may sleep satisfied, untouched by evil. 24The lazy one buries his hand in the dish, But will not even bring it back to his mouth. 25Strike a scoffer and the naive may become clever, But rebuke one who has understanding, and he will gain knowledge. 26He who assaults his father and drives his mother away Is a shameful and disgraceful son. 27Stop listening, my son, to discipline, And you will stray from the words of knowledge. 28A worthless witness makes a mockery of justice, And the mouth of the wicked swallows wrongdoing. 29 Judgments are prepared for scoffers, And beatings for the backs of fools.
Christian Standard Bible

New Living Translation

King James Version

What does Proverbs chapter 19 mean?

The first segment of this chapter makes multiple references to personal integrity and wealth. It's far better to be moral—and to have a reputation for honesty—than to have temporary wealth and be seen as a liar. And yet, the world all too often favors the wealthy, through shallow "friendships," while ignoring those who have nothing material to offer. Solomon also notes one of the hallmarks of foolishness: reacting according to one's desires instead of to truth. The fool jumps at the chance to do things their way. When the inevitable consequences come, they blame God instead of their own choices (Proverbs 19:1–7).

The next group of statements cover a wide range of ideas. These include typical comments about the value of wisdom, the consequences of ignoring it, the importance of common sense and practicality, and the fallible nature of human planning. Self-control should be sought and is important to instill in one's children. Even as an adult, it's crucial to take good advice when it's given, rather than refusing to learn even from one's mistakes (Proverbs 19:8–21).

Last in this chapter are comments which focus on respect for God's will and the disastrous results of ignoring it. Following the Lord's leading is not a magical formula which guarantees success. And yet, it is by far the most sensible way to pursue life. Even the inexperienced person should be able to see what happens when people defy God; they should learn the appropriate lesson from those observations. A person who refuses to learn—even a wise person who decides to stop learning—is inviting difficulty to their own life (Proverbs 19:22–29).
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