Proverbs 19
Proverbs 19 presents pivotal events and lessons, emphasizing themes like faith, obedience, and God’s faithful guidance.
Summary
Proverbs 19 continues the story of Proverbs, revealing key themes of faith, obedience, and God’s promise-keeping. This chapter illustrates the human response to divine commands, showing both trust and failure, and demonstrates God’s mercy and justice. As part of the larger narrative, it lays groundwork for understanding God’s covenant relationship with His people and points forward to the hope of redemption. Readers are encouraged to reflect on their own lives, to trust in God’s plans, and to live in faithful obedience, finding hope in His unchanging character.
Primarily attributed to Solomon, with contributions from others (10th–6th century BC). Wisdom sayings.
Proverbs 19: KJV Commentary and Summary
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.
Faith, Obedience, God’s Promises, Judgment, Mercy, Hope
Proverbs 19:1 – Highlights key themes of faith and God’s interaction with His people.; Proverbs 19:15 – Highlights key themes of faith and God’s interaction with His people.; Proverbs 19:29 – Highlights key themes of faith and God’s interaction with His people.