KJV

Proverbs 19

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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.

7All 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.

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Matthew Henry Concise Commentary

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Proverbs 19:1 Verse 1

A poor man who fears God, is more honourable and happy, than a man without wisdom and grace, however rich or advanced in rank.

Proverbs 19:2 Verse 2

What good can the soul do, if without knowledge? And he sins who will not take time to ponder the path of his feet.

Proverbs 19:3 Verse 3

Men run into troubles by their own folly, and then fret at the appointments of God.

Proverbs 19:4 Verse 4

Here we may see how strong is men's love of money.

Proverbs 19:5 Verse 5

Those that tell lies in discourse, are in a fair way to be guilty of bearing false-witness.

Proverbs 19:6 Verse 6

We are without excuse if we do not love God with all our hearts. His gifts to us are past number, and all the gifts of men to us are fruits of his bounty.

Proverbs 19:7 Verse 7

Christ was left by all his disciples; but the Father was with him. It encourages our faith that he had so large an experience of the sorrows of poverty.

Proverbs 19:8 Verse 8

Those only love their souls aright that get true wisdom.

Proverbs 19:9 Verse 9

Lying is a damning, destroying sin.

Proverbs 19:10 Verse 10

A man that has not wisdom and grace, has no right or title to true joy. It is very unseemly for one who is a servant to sin, to oppress God's free-men.

Proverbs 19:11 Verse 11

He attains the most true glory who endeavours most steadily to overcome evil with good.

Proverbs 19:12 Verse 12

Christ is a King, whose wrath against his enemies will be as the roaring of a lion, and his favour to his people as the refreshing dew.

Proverbs 19:13 Verse 13

It shows the vanity of the world, that we are liable to the greatest griefs where we promise ourselves the greatest comfort.

Proverbs 19:14 Verse 14

A discreet and virtuous wife is more valuable than house and riches.

Proverbs 19:15 Verse 15

A sluggish, slothful disposition makes men poor; it brings them to want. And this applies both to the present life and that which is to come.

Proverbs 19:16 Verse 16

If we keep God's word, God's word will keep us from every thing really hurtful. We abuse the doctrine of free grace, if we think that it does away the necessity and advantage of obedience. Those that live at random must die. This truth is clearly taught in words enough to alarm the stoutest sinner.

Proverbs 19:17 Verse 17

God has chosen the poor of this world, to be rich in faith, and heirs of his kingdom.

Proverbs 19:18 Verse 18

When parents keep under foolish tenderness, they do their best to render children a comfort to them, and happy in themselves.

Proverbs 19:19 Verse 19

The spared and spoiled child is likely to become a man of great wrath.

Proverbs 19:20 Verse 20

Those that would be wise in their latter end, must be taught and ruled when young.

Proverbs 19:21 Verse 21

What should we desire, but that all our purposes may agree with God's holy will?

Proverbs 19:22 Verse 22

It is far better to have a heart to do good, and want ability for it, than to have ability for it, and want a heart to it.

Proverbs 19:23 Verse 23

Those that live in the fear of God, shall get safety, satisfaction, and true and complete happiness.

Proverbs 19:24 Verse 24

Indolence, when indulged, so grows upon people, that they have no heart to do the most needful things for themselves.

Proverbs 19:25 Verse 25

A gentle rebuke goes farthest with a man of understanding.

Proverbs 19:26 Verse 26

The young man who wastes his father's substance, or makes his aged mother destitute, is hateful, and will come to disgrace.

Proverbs 19:27 Verse 27

It is the wisdom of young men to dread hearing such talk as puts loose and evil principles into the mind.

Proverbs 19:28 Verse 28

Those are the worst of sinners, who are glad of an opportunity to sin.

Proverbs 19:29 Verse 29

The unbelief of man shall not make God's threatenings of no effect. Christ himself, when bearing sins not his own, was not spared. Justice and judgment took hold of our blessed Surety; and will God spare obstinate sinners?

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Key Words and Topics

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Related Topics

Advice Proverbs 19:20

Listen to counsel and accept discipline, that you may be wise the rest of your days.

Age and Wisdom Proverbs 19:20

Listen to counsel and accept discipline, that you may be wise the rest of your days.

Anger Management Proverbs 19:11

A man’s insight gives him patience, and his virtue is to overlook an offense.

Anger: Be Slow To Proverbs 19:11

A man’s insight gives him patience, and his virtue is to overlook an offense.

Anger: General Scriptures Concerning Proverbs 19:11, 12, 19

A man’s insight gives him patience, and his virtue is to overlook an offense. / A king’s rage is like the roar of a lion, but his favor is like dew on the grass. / A man of great anger must pay the penalty; if you rescue him, you will have to do so again.

Being a Good Wife Proverbs 19:14

Houses and wealth are inherited from fathers, but a prudent wife is from the LORD.

Being Falsely Accused Proverbs 19:9

A false witness will not go unpunished, and one who pours out lies will perish.

Being Honest Proverbs 19:1

Better a poor man who walks with integrity than a fool whose lips are perverse.

Being Lazy Proverbs 19:15

Laziness brings on deep sleep, and an idle soul will suffer hunger.

Being Offended Proverbs 19:11

A man’s insight gives him patience, and his virtue is to overlook an offense.

Betrayal Proverbs 19:5

A false witness will not go unpunished, and one who utters lies will not escape.

Blindness: Spiritual Proverbs 19:2, 3

Even zeal is no good without knowledge, and he who hurries his footsteps misses the mark. / A man’s own folly subverts his way, yet his heart rages against the LORD.

Boredom Proverbs 19:15

Laziness brings on deep sleep, and an idle soul will suffer hunger.

Boundaries Proverbs 19:19

A man of great anger must pay the penalty; if you rescue him, you will have to do so again.

Breaking Promises Proverbs 19:5

A false witness will not go unpunished, and one who utters lies will not escape.

Breaking the Law Proverbs 19:5

A false witness will not go unpunished, and one who utters lies will not escape.

Business Ethics Proverbs 19:17

Kindness to the poor is a loan to the LORD, and He will repay the lender.

Child Abuse Proverbs 19:18

Discipline your son, for in that there is hope; do not be party to his death.

Child Training Proverbs 19:18

Discipline your son, for in that there is hope; do not be party to his death.

Children: Wicked Proverbs 19:13, 26

A foolish son is his father’s ruin, and a quarrelsome wife is like a constant dripping. / He who assaults his father or evicts his mother is a son who brings shame and disgrace.

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