Proverbs 19

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 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?

Footnotes

• [a]. Lit. 'soul.' Others, 'desire.'
• [b]. Or 'Sins.'
• [c]. As ch. 13.23.
• [d]. See chs. 15.32; 17.18.
• [e]. Or 'Luxury.'
• [f]. Or 'an offence.'
• [g]. Strictly, 'young lion,' as Job 4.10, &c.; and so chs. 20.2; 28.1.
• [h]. Lit. 'despiseth.'
• [i]. Others, 'and regard not his crying.'
• [j]. Or 'correction,' 'discipline,' as ch. 1.2.
• [k]. Chesed: see Note, 2Chron. 6.42.
• [l]. Or 'dwell.'
• [m]. Or 'will become prudent,' as ch. 15.5; 1Sam. 23.22.

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.