Compare Translations for Proverbs 19:5

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?

Proverbs 19:1-29 .

1. (Compare Proverbs 28:6 ). "Rich" for fool here. Integrity is better than riches ( Proverbs 15:16 Proverbs 15:17 , 16:8 ).

2. The last illustrates the first clause. Rashness, the result of ignorance, brings trouble.

3. perverteth . . . way--turns him back from right ( Proverbs 13:6 , 1:13 ); and he blames God for his failures.

4. (Compare Proverbs 14:20 ). Such facts are often adduced with implied disapprobation.

5. Compare Proverbs 19:9 , where perish explains not escape here (compare Psalms 88:9 Psalms 88:10 ).

8. (Compare Margin; Proverbs 15:32 ).
loveth . . . soul--or, "himself," which he evinces by regarding his best interests.
keepeth--or, "regards."

10. (Compare Proverbs 17:7 ). The fool is incapable of properly using pleasure as knowledge, yet for him to have it is less incongruous than the undue elevation of servants. Let each abide in his calling ( 1 Corinthians 7:20 ).

11. (Compare Proverbs 14:29 , 16:32 ). This inculcation of a forgiving spirit shows that true religion is always the same ( Matthew 5:22-24 ).

12. (Compare Proverbs 16:14 Proverbs 16:15 , 20:2 ). A motive to submission to lawful authority.

13. calamity--literally, "calamities," varied and many.
continual dropping--a perpetual annoyance, wearing out patience.

14. A contrast of men's gifts and God's, who, though author of both blessings, confers the latter by His more special providence.
and--or, "but," implying that the evils of Proverbs 19:13 are only avoided by His care.

15. a deep sleep--a state of utter indifference.
idle soul--or, "person" (compare Proverbs 10:4 , 12:24 ).

16. (Compare Proverbs 10:17 , 13:13 ).
despiseth . . . ways--opposed to keeping or observing, neglects ( Proverbs 16:17 ) (as unworthy of regard) his moral conduct.

17. (Compare Proverbs 14:21 , Psalms 37:26 ).
hath pity--shown by acts (compare Margin).

18. (Compare Proverbs 13:24 , 23:13 ).
let not . . . spare--literally, "do not lift up thy soul" ( Psalms 24:4 , 25:1 ), that is, do not desire to his death; a caution to passionate parents against angry chastisement.

19. Repeated efforts of kindness are lost on ill-natured persons.

20. (Compare Proverbs 13:18-20 ).
latter end--( Proverbs 5:11 ). In youth prepare for age.

21. (Compare Proverbs 16:1 Proverbs 16:9 , Psalms 33:10 Psalms 33:11 ). The failure of man's devices is implied.

22. desire--that is, to do good, indicates a kind disposition ( Proverbs 11:23 ); and the poor thus affected are better than liars, who say and do not.

23. The fear . . . life--(Compare Proverbs 3:2 ).
abide--or, "remain contented" ( 1 Timothy 4:8 ).
not visited with evil--( Proverbs 10:3 , Psalms 37:25 ), as a judgment, in which sense visit is often used ( Psalms 89:32 , Jeremiah 6:15 ).

24. bosom--literally, a wide dish in which the hand was plunged in eating ( Matthew 26:23 ). Compare Proverbs 26:15 , the sentiment expressed with equal irony and less exaggeration.

25. Such is the benefit of reproof; even the simple profit, much more the wise.

26. Unfilial conduct often condemned ( Proverbs 17:21-25 , 20:20 , Deuteronomy 21:18 Deuteronomy 21:21 ).

27. Avoid whatever leads from truth.

28. ungodly witness--(Compare Margin), one false by bad principles (compare Proverbs 6:12 ).
scorneth judgment--sets at naught the dictates of justice.
devoureth--literally, "swalloweth," as something delightful.

29. Their punishment is sure, fixed, and ready (compare Proverbs 3:34 , 10:13 ).