Proverbs 19

Proverbs · Chapter 19

Proverbs 19:1

1Better is the poor that walketh in his integrity, than he that is perverse in his lips, and is a fool.2Also, that the soul be without knowledge, it is not good; and he that hasteth with his feet sinneth.3The foolishness of man perverteth his way: and his heart fretteth against the LORD.4Wealth maketh many friends; but the poor is separated from his neighbour.5A false witness shall not be unpunished, and he that speaketh lies shall not escape.6Many 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.8He that getteth wisdom loveth his own soul: he that keepeth understanding shall find good.9A false witness shall not be unpunished, and he that speaketh lies shall perish.10Delight is not seemly for a fool; much less for a servant to have rule over princes.11The discretion of a man deferreth his anger; and it is his glory to pass over a transgression.12The king’s wrath is as the roaring of a lion; but his favour is as dew upon the grass.13A foolish son is the calamity of his father: and the contentions of a wife are a continual dropping.14House and riches are the inheritance of fathers: and a prudent wife is from the LORD.15Slothfulness casteth into a deep sleep; and an idle soul shall suffer hunger.16He that keepeth the commandment keepeth his own soul; but he that despiseth his ways shall die.17He that hath pity upon the poor lendeth unto the LORD; and that which he hath given will he pay him again.18Chasten thy son while there is hope, and let not thy soul spare for his crying.19A man of great wrath shall suffer punishment: for if thou deliver him, yet thou must do it again.20Hear counsel, and receive instruction, that thou mayest be wise in thy latter end.21There are many devices in a man’s heart; nevertheless the counsel of the LORD, that shall stand.22The desire of a man is his kindness: and a poor man is better than a liar.23The fear of the LORD tendeth to life: and he that hath it shall abide satisfied; he shall not be visited with evil.24A slothful man hideth his hand in his bosom, and will not so much as bring it to his mouth again.25Smite a scorner, and the simple will beware: and reprove one that hath understanding, and he will understand knowledge.26He that wasteth his father, and chaseth away his mother, is a son that causeth shame, and bringeth reproach.27Cease, my son, to hear the instruction that causeth to err from the words of knowledge.28An ungodly witness scorneth judgment: and the mouth of the wicked devoureth iniquity.29Judgments are prepared for scorners, and stripes for the back of fools.

King James Version (1769)

Other translations

VerseKJVBSBASV
1Better is the poor that walketh in his integrity, than he that is perverse in his lips, and is a fool.Better a poor man who walks with integrity than a fool whose lips are perverse.Better is the poor that walketh in his integrity Than he that is perverse in his lips and is a fool.

In context

Who is speaking and to whom, what is happening, when and where, and why it matters, each with its sources. Coming with the context cards.

Original Hebrew words

EnglishHebrewSay itStrong'sMeaning
[is] goodטֽוֹב־tov-H2896A
fine

טָב (tav) good Aramaic of tov (טוֹב "pleasant" H2896A)

a poor [person]רָ֭שׁrashH7326
be poor

רוּשׁ (rush) 1) to be poor, be in want, lack 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to be poor 1a2) to be in want or hunger 1a3) poor man (subst) 1b)(Hithpolel) one impoverishing himself (participle)

[who] walksהוֹלֵ֣ךְho-LEKHH1980I
to go

הוּךְ (hukh) (P'al) to go, come, walk, be brought Aramaic of ha.lakh (הָלַךְ ": walk" H1980)

in integrity hisבְּתֻמּ֑וֹbe-tu-MOH8537
integrity

תֹּם (tom) 1) integrity, completeness 1a) completeness, fulness 1b) innocence, simplicity 1c) integrity

more than [the] [person] perverse ofמֵעִקֵּ֥שׁme-'i-KESHH6141
twisted

עִקֵּשׁ (iq.qesh) twisted, distorted, crooked, perverse, perverted

lips hisשְׂ֝פָתָ֗יוSE-fa-TAVH8193H
lips

שָׂפָה (sa.phah) : lips/mouth 1) lip, language, speech, shore, bank, brink, brim, side, edge, border, binding 1a) lip (as body part) 1b) language 1c) edge, shore, bank (of cup, sea, river, etc)

and heוְה֣וּאve-HU'H1931
he/she/it

הוּא (hu) pron 3p s 1) he, she, it 1a) himself (with emphasis) 1b) resuming subj with emphasis 1c) (with minimum emphasis following predicate) 1d) (anticipating subj) 1e) (emphasising predicate) 1f) that, it (neuter) demons pron 2) that (with article)

[is] a foolכְסִֽיל׃khe-SILH3684
fool

כְּסִיל (ke.sil) fool, stupid fellow, dullard, simpleton, arrogant one

Words and meanings from STEPBible data (Tyndale House, Cambridge, CC BY 4.0). The capitalized syllable is the stressed one.