Proverbs 19

Berean Standard Bible

Chapter summary

Proverbs 19 contrasts the outcomes of various human behaviors, character traits, and social dynamics. The text highlights that wealth attracts friends while poverty leads to isolation, and false witnesses face certain punishment. It discusses family relationships, noting that a foolish son ruins his father, a quarrelsome wife is like constant dripping, and houses and wealth come from fathers. Additionally, the chapter addresses the consequences of laziness, anger, and lack of discipline, while contrasting the actions of wise individuals, kings, and slacker persons within society.

Summary automatically generated from the Bible text.

Words of Jesus in red

¹Better a poor man who walks with integrity than a fool whose lips are perverse. ²Even zeal is no good without knowledge, and he who hurries his footsteps misses the mark. ³A man’s own folly subverts his way, yet his heart rages against the LORD. ⁴Wealth attracts many friends, but a poor man is deserted by his friend. ⁵A false witness will not go unpunished, and one who utters lies will not escape. ⁶Many seek the favor of the prince, and everyone is a friend of the gift giver. ⁷All the brothers of a poor man hate him— how much more do his friends avoid him! He may pursue them with pleading, but they are nowhere to be found. ⁸He who acquires wisdom loves himself; one who safeguards understanding will find success. ⁹A false witness will not go unpunished, and one who pours out lies will perish. ¹⁰Luxury is unseemly for a fool— how much worse for a slave to rule over princes! ¹¹A man’s insight gives him patience, and his virtue is to overlook an offense. ¹²A king’s rage is like the roar of a lion, but his favor is like dew on the grass. ¹³A foolish son is his father’s ruin, and a quarrelsome wife is like a constant dripping. ¹⁴Houses and wealth are inherited from fathers, but a prudent wife is from the LORD. ¹⁵Laziness brings on deep sleep, and an idle soul will suffer hunger. ¹⁶He who keeps a commandment preserves his soul, but he who is careless in his ways will die. ¹⁷Kindness to the poor is a loan to the LORD, and He will repay the lender. ¹⁸Discipline your son, for in that there is hope; do not be party to his death. ¹⁹A man of great anger must pay the penalty; if you rescue him, you will have to do so again. ²⁰Listen to counsel and accept discipline, that you may be wise the rest of your days. ²¹Many plans are in a man’s heart, but the purpose of the LORD will prevail. ²²The desire of a man is loving devotion; better to be poor than a liar. ²³The fear of the LORD leads to life, that one may rest content, without visitation from harm. ²⁴The slacker buries his hand in the dish; he will not even bring it back to his mouth. ²⁵Strike a mocker, and the simple will beware; rebuke the discerning man, and he will gain knowledge. ²⁶He who assaults his father or evicts his mother is a son who brings shame and disgrace. ²⁷If you cease to hear instruction, my son, you will stray from the words of knowledge. ²⁸A corrupt witness mocks justice, and a wicked mouth swallows iniquity. ²⁹Judgments are prepared for mockers, and beatings for the backs of fools.

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Louis Segond 1910 and Berean Standard Bible: public domain. Cross references: open-cross-ref, Creative Commons BY 4.0.