Font Size
Proverbs 19:1-3
New Catholic Bible
Proverbs 19:1-3
New Catholic Bible
Chapter 19
Better Poor and Honest than Wealthy and Perverse[a]
1 It is better to be poor and lead an honest life
than to be wealthy and perverse in one’s ways.
2 Zeal is useless when not accompanied by knowledge,
and acting hastily causes one to stumble.
3 A man’s own folly leads to his ruin,
yet it is against the Lord that his heart rages.[b]
Footnotes
- Proverbs 19:1 In the proverbs found in this chapter, we will pay special attention to those that describe the condition of the poor (vv. 1, 4-7, 17, 22) or those who care about the difficulty of obtaining justice (vv. 5, 9, 28); we will also note the theme of charity (the one who gives to the poor lends to God—v. 17) and mercy (v. 22). Once more, a warning is issued to idlers (vv. 15, 24), and reflections on the family and education are set forth (vv. 13-14, 18, 26). Our maxim “Man proposes but God disposes” is foreshadowed by the words in verse 21: Many are the plans in a human mind, but it is the purpose of the Lord that will prevail.
- Proverbs 19:3 It is against the Lord that his heart rages: i.e., he blames the Lord for all his troubles (see Gen 4:5; Isa 8:21; Lam 3:39).
