Proverbs 19
Authorized (King James) Version
19 Better is the poor that walketh in his integrity,
than he that is perverse in his lips, and is a fool.
2 Also, that the soul be without knowledge, it is not good;
and he that hasteth with his feet sinneth.
3 The foolishness of man perverteth his way:
and his heart fretteth against the Lord.
4 Wealth maketh many friends;
but the poor is separated from his neighbour.
5 A false witness shall not be unpunished,
and he that speaketh lies shall not escape.
6 Many will intreat the favour of the prince:
and every man is a friend to him that giveth gifts.
7 All 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.
8 He that getteth wisdom loveth his own soul:
he that keepeth understanding shall find good.
9 A false witness shall not be unpunished,
and he that speaketh lies shall perish.
10 Delight is not seemly for a fool;
much less for a servant to have rule over princes.
11 The discretion of a man deferreth his anger;
and it is his glory to pass over a transgression.
12 The king’s wrath is as the roaring of a lion;
but his favour is as dew upon the grass.
13 A foolish son is the calamity of his father:
and the contentions of a wife are a continual dropping.
14 House and riches are the inheritance of fathers:
and a prudent wife is from the Lord.
15 Slothfulness casteth into a deep sleep;
and an idle soul shall suffer hunger.
16 He that keepeth the commandment keepeth his own soul;
but he that despiseth his ways shall die.
17 He that hath pity upon the poor lendeth unto the Lord;
and that which he hath given will he pay him again.
18 Chasten thy son while there is hope,
and let not thy soul spare for his crying.
19 A man of great wrath shall suffer punishment:
for if thou deliver him, yet thou must do it again.
20 Hear counsel, and receive instruction,
that thou mayest be wise in thy latter end.
21 There are many devices in a man’s heart;
nevertheless the counsel of the Lord, that shall stand.
22 The desire of a man is his kindness:
and a poor man is better than a liar.
23 The fear of the Lord tendeth to life: and he that hath it shall abide satisfied;
he shall not be visited with evil.
24 A slothful man hideth his hand in his bosom,
and will not so much as bring it to his mouth again.
25 Smite a scorner, and the simple will beware:
and reprove one that hath understanding, and he will understand knowledge.
26 He that wasteth his father, and chaseth away his mother,
is a son that causeth shame, and bringeth reproach.
27 Cease, my son, to hear the instruction
that causeth to err from the words of knowledge.
28 An ungodly witness scorneth judgment:
and the mouth of the wicked devoureth iniquity.
29 Judgments are prepared for scorners,
and stripes for the back of fools.
Proverbs 19
New King James Version
The Fear of the Lord Leads to Life
19 Better (A)is the poor who walks in his integrity
Than one who is perverse in his lips, and is a fool.
2 Also it is not good for a soul to be without knowledge,
And he sins who hastens with his feet.
3 The foolishness of a man twists his way,
And his heart frets against the Lord.
4 (B)Wealth makes many friends,
But the poor is separated from his friend.
5 A (C)false witness will not go unpunished,
And he who speaks lies will not escape.
6 Many entreat the favor of the nobility,
And every man is a friend to one who gives gifts.
7 (D)All the brothers of the poor hate him;
How much more do his friends go (E)far from him!
He may pursue them with words, yet they [a]abandon him.
9 A false witness will not go unpunished,
And he who speaks lies shall perish.
10 Luxury is not fitting for a fool,
Much less (G)for a servant to rule over princes.
11 (H)The discretion of a man makes him slow to anger,
(I)And his glory is to overlook a transgression.
13 (L)A foolish son is the ruin of his father,
(M)And the contentions of a wife are a continual [c]dripping.
17 (S)He who has pity on the poor lends to the Lord,
And He will pay back what he has given.
19 A man of great wrath will suffer punishment;
For if you rescue him, you will have to do it again.
20 Listen to counsel and receive instruction,
That you may be wise (U)in your latter days.
21 There are many plans in a man’s heart,
(V)Nevertheless the Lord’s counsel—that will stand.
22 What is desired in a man is [f]kindness,
And a poor man is better than a liar.
23 (W)The fear of the Lord leads to life,
And he who has it will abide in satisfaction;
He will not be visited with evil.
24 (X)A lazy man buries his hand in the [g]bowl,
And will not so much as bring it to his mouth again.
25 Strike a scoffer, and the simple (Y)will become wary;
(Z)Rebuke one who has understanding, and he will discern knowledge.
26 He who mistreats his father and chases away his mother
Is (AA)a son who causes shame and brings reproach.
27 Cease listening to instruction, my son,
And you will stray from the words of knowledge.
29 Judgments are prepared for scoffers,
(AC)And beatings for the backs of fools.
Footnotes
- Proverbs 19:7 Lit. are not
- Proverbs 19:8 Lit. heart
- Proverbs 19:13 Irritation
- Proverbs 19:16 Is reckless, lit. despises
- Proverbs 19:18 Lit. to put him to death; a Jewish tradition on his crying
- Proverbs 19:22 Lit. lovingkindness
- Proverbs 19:24 LXX, Syr. bosom; Tg., Vg. armpit
- Proverbs 19:28 Lit. witness of Belial, worthless witness
KJV reproduced by permission of Cambridge University Press, the Crown’s patentee in the UK.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
