Proverbs 19

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!

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Proverbs 19 Commentary

Chapter 19

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. 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. Verse 3 . Men run into troubles by their own folly, and then fret at the appointments of God. Verse 4 . Here we may see how strong is men's love of money. Verse 5 . Those that tell lies in discourse, are in a fair way to be guilty of bearing false-witness. 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. 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. Verse 8 . Those only love their souls aright that get true wisdom. Verse 9 . Lying is a damning, destroying sin. 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. Verse 11 . He attains the most true glory who endeavours most steadily to overcome evil with good. 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. Verse 13 . It shows the vanity of the world, that we are liable to the greatest griefs where we promise ourselves the greatest comfort. Verse 14 . A discreet and virtuous wife is more valuable than house and riches. 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. 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. Verse 17 . God has chosen the poor of this world, to be rich in faith, and heirs of his kingdom. Verse 18 . When parents keep under foolish tenderness, they do their best to render children a comfort to them, and happy in themselves. Verse 19 . The spared and spoiled child is likely to become a man of great wrath. Verse 20 . Those that would be wise in their latter end, must be taught and ruled when young. Verse 21 . What should we desire, but that all our purposes may agree with God's holy will? 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. Verse 23 . Those that live in the fear of God, shall get safety, satisfaction, and true and complete happiness. Verse 24 . Indolence, when indulged, so grows upon people, that they have no heart to do the most needful things for themselves. Verse 25 . A gentle rebuke goes farthest with a man of understanding. Verse 26 . The young man who wastes his father's substance, or makes his aged mother destitute, is hateful, and will come to disgrace. Verse 27 . It is the wisdom of young men to dread hearing such talk as puts loose and evil principles into the mind. Verse 28 . Those are the worst of sinners, who are glad of an opportunity to sin. 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?

Taken from Matthew Henry Commentary on the Whole Bible (Concise)

Chapter Summary

INTRODUCTION TO 1 KINGS 8

This chapter gives an account of the introduction of the ark into the temple, 1Ki 8:1-9 of the glory of the Lord filling it, 1Ki 8:10,11 of a speech Solomon made to the people concerning the building of the temple, and how he came to be engaged in it, 1Ki 8:12-21, of a prayer of his he put up on this occasion, requesting, that what supplications soever were made at any time, or on any account, by Israelites or strangers, might be accepted by the Lord, 1Ki 8:22-53, and of his blessing the people of Israel at the close of it, with some useful exhortations, 1Ki 8:54-61, and of the great number of sacrifices offered up by him, and the feast he made for the people, upon which he dismissed them, 1Ki 8:62-66.