Proverbs 28:6

6 It is better to be poor and innocent than to be rich and wicked.

Proverbs 28:6 Meaning and Commentary

Proverbs 28:6

Better [is] the poor that walketh in his uprightness
(See Gill on Proverbs 19:1); than [he that is] perverse [in his] ways, though he [be] rich;
or, "in [his] two ways" ^F3: that halts between two ways, or makes use of both; sometimes turns to the one, to the right hand, and sometimes to the other, to the left hand; or that pretends to the one, and walks in the other; would be thought to be a virtuous and religious man, and to walk in the paths of righteousness and truth, when he walks in those of sin and wickedness. And now a poor man that walks evenly and uprightly, according to the word of God and truth of the Gospel, in the commandments and ordinances of the Lord, and in the paths of faith and holiness, is better than he; more honourable, more comfortable, and happy in life and in death; he has grace now, and will have glory hereafter.

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FOOTNOTES:

F3 (Mykrd) Heb. "duabus viis", Piscator, Cocceius; "pervertens duas vias", Baynus; "duplici via", Michaelis; "gemina via", Schultens, so Ben Melech.

Proverbs 28:6 In-Context

4 Those who disobey what they have been taught praise the wicked, but those who obey what they have been taught are against them.

5 Evil people do not understand justice, but those who follow the Lord understand it completely.

6 It is better to be poor and innocent than to be rich and wicked.

7 Children who obey what they have been taught are smart, but friends of troublemakers disgrace their parents.

8 Some people get rich by overcharging others, but their wealth will be given to those who are kind to the poor.