Worthy.Bible » Parallel » Proverbs » Chapter 19

Proverbs 19:1-29 King James Version (KJV)

1 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 19:1-29 King James Version with Strong's Concordance (STRONG)

1 Better H2896 is the poor H7326 that walketh H1980 in his integrity, H8537 than he that is perverse H6141 in his lips, H8193 and is a fool. H3684

2 Also, that the soul H5315 be without knowledge, H1847 it is not good; H2896 and he that hasteth H213 with his feet H7272 sinneth. H2398

3 The foolishness H200 of man H120 perverteth H5557 his way: H1870 and his heart H3820 fretteth H2196 against the LORD. H3068

4 Wealth H1952 maketh H3254 many H7227 friends; H7453 but the poor H1800 is separated H6504 from his neighbour. H7453

5 A false H8267 witness H5707 shall not be unpunished, H5352 and he that speaketh H6315 lies H3577 shall not escape. H4422

6 Many H7227 will intreat H2470 the favour H6440 of the prince: H5081 and every man is a friend H7453 to him H376 that giveth gifts. H4976

7 All the brethren H251 of the poor H7326 do hate H8130 him: how much more do his friends H4828 go far H7368 from him? he pursueth H7291 them with words, H561 yet they are wanting to him.

8 He that getteth H7069 wisdom H3820 loveth H157 his own soul: H5315 he that keepeth H8104 understanding H8394 shall find H4672 good. H2896

9 A false H8267 witness H5707 shall not be unpunished, H5352 and he that speaketh H6315 lies H3577 shall perish. H6

10 Delight H8588 is not seemly H5000 for a fool; H3684 much less for a servant H5650 to have rule H4910 over princes. H8269

11 The discretion H7922 of a man H120 deferreth H748 his anger; H639 and it is his glory H8597 to pass over H5674 a transgression. H6588

12 The king's H4428 wrath H2197 is as the roaring H5099 of a lion; H3715 but his favour H7522 is as dew H2919 upon the grass. H6212

13 A foolish H3684 son H1121 is the calamity H1942 of his father: H1 and the contentions H4079 of a wife H802 are a continual H2956 dropping. H1812

14 House H1004 and riches H1952 are the inheritance H5159 of fathers: H1 and a prudent H7919 wife H802 is from the LORD. H3068

15 Slothfulness H6103 casteth H5307 into a deep sleep; H8639 and an idle H7423 soul H5315 shall suffer hunger. H7456

16 He that keepeth H8104 the commandment H4687 keepeth H8104 his own soul; H5315 but he that despiseth H959 his ways H1870 shall die. H4191

17 He that hath pity H2603 upon the poor H1800 lendeth H3867 unto the LORD; H3068 and that which he hath given H1576 will he pay him again. H7999

18 Chasten H3256 thy son H1121 while there is H3426 hope, H8615 and let not thy soul H5315 spare H5375 for his crying. H4191

19 A man H1419 of great H1632 wrath H2534 shall suffer H5375 punishment: H6066 for if thou deliver H5337 him, yet thou must do it again. H3254

20 Hear H8085 counsel, H6098 and receive H6901 instruction, H4148 that thou mayest be wise H2449 in thy latter end. H319

21 There are many H7227 devices H4284 in a man's H376 heart; H3820 nevertheless the counsel H6098 of the LORD, H3068 that shall stand. H6965

22 The desire H8378 of a man H120 is his kindness: H2617 and a poor man H7326 is better H2896 than H376 a liar. H3577

23 The fear H3374 of the LORD H3068 tendeth to life: H2416 and he that hath it shall abide H3885 satisfied; H7649 he shall not be visited H6485 with evil. H7451

24 A slothful H6102 man hideth H2934 his hand H3027 in his bosom, H6747 and will not so much as bring H7725 it to his mouth H6310 again. H7725

25 Smite H5221 a scorner, H3887 and the simple H6612 will beware: H6191 and reprove H3198 one that hath understanding, H995 and he will understand H995 knowledge. H1847

26 He that wasteth H7703 his father, H1 and chaseth away H1272 his mother, H517 is a son H1121 that causeth shame, H954 and bringeth reproach. H2659

27 Cease, H2308 my son, H1121 to hear H8085 the instruction H4148 that causeth to err H7686 from the words H561 of knowledge. H1847

28 An ungodly H1100 witness H5707 scorneth H3887 judgment: H4941 and the mouth H6310 of the wicked H7563 devoureth H1104 iniquity. H205

29 Judgments H8201 are prepared H3559 for scorners, H3887 and stripes H4112 for the back H1460 of fools. H3684

Proverbs 19:1-29 American Standard (ASV)

1 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 is not good; And he that hasteth with his feet sinneth.

3 The foolishness of man subverteth his way; And his heart fretteth against Jehovah.

4 Wealth addeth many friends; But the poor is separated from his friend.

5 A false witness shall not be unpunished; And he that uttereth lies shall not escape.

6 Many will entreat the favor of the liberal man; 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, `but' they are gone.

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 uttereth lies shall perish.

10 Delicate living is not seemly for a fool; Much less for a servant to have rule over princes.

11 The discretion of a man maketh him slow to 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 favor 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 an inheritance from fathers; But a prudent wife is from Jehovah.

15 Slothfulness casteth into a deep sleep; And the idle soul shall suffer hunger.

16 He that keepeth the commandment keepeth his soul; `But' he that is careless of his ways shall die.

17 He that hath pity upon the poor lendeth unto Jehovah, And his good deed will he pay him again.

18 Chasten thy son, seeing there is hope; nd set not thy heart on his destruction.

19 A man of great wrath shall bear the penalty; For if thou deliver `him', thou must do it yet 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; But the counsel of Jehovah, that shall stand.

22 That which maketh a man to be desired is his kindness; And a poor man is better than a liar.

23 The fear of Jehovah `tendeth' to life; And he `that hath it' shall abide satisfied; He shall not be visited with evil.

24 The sluggard burieth his hand in the dish, And will not so much as bring it to his mouth again.

25 Smite a scoffer, and the simple will learn prudence; And reprove one that hath understanding, `and' he will understand knowledge.

26 He that doeth violence to his father, and chaseth away his mother, Is a son that causeth shame and bringeth reproach.

27 Cease, my son, to hear instruction `Only' to err from the words of knowledge.

28 A worthless witness mocketh at justice; And the mouth of the wicked swalloweth iniquity.

29 Judgments are prepared for scoffers, And stripes for the back of fools.

Proverbs 19:1-29 Young's Literal Translation (YLT)

1 Better `is' the poor walking in his integrity, Than the perverse `in' his lips, who `is' a fool.

2 Also, without knowledge the soul `is' not good, And the hasty in feet is sinning.

3 The folly of man perverteth his way, And against Jehovah is his heart wroth.

4 Wealth addeth many friends, And the poor from his neighbour is separated.

5 A false witness is not acquitted, Whoso breatheth out lies is not delivered.

6 Many entreat the face of the noble, And all have made friendship to a man of gifts.

7 All the brethren of the poor have hated him, Surely also his friends have been far from him, He is pursuing words -- they are not!

8 Whoso is getting heart is loving his soul, He is keeping understanding to find good.

9 A false witness is not acquitted, And whoso breatheth out lies perisheth.

10 Luxury is not comely for a fool, Much less for a servant to rule among princes.

11 The wisdom of a man hath deferred his anger, And his glory `is' to pass over transgression.

12 The wrath of a king `is' a growl as of a young lion, And as dew on the herb his good-will.

13 A calamity to his father `is' a foolish son, And the contentions of a wife `are' a continual dropping.

14 House and wealth `are' the inheritance of fathers, And from Jehovah `is' an understanding wife.

15 Sloth causeth deep sleep to fall, And an indolent soul doth hunger.

16 Whoso is keeping the command is keeping his soul, Whoso is despising His ways dieth.

17 Whoso is lending `to' Jehovah is favouring the poor, And his deed He repayeth to him.

18 Chastise thy son, for there is hope, And to put him to death lift not up thy soul.

19 A man of great wrath is bearing punishment, For, if thou dost deliver, yet again thou dost add.

20 Hear counsel and receive instruction, So that thou art wise in thy latter end.

21 Many `are' the purposes in a man's heart, And the counsel of Jehovah it standeth.

22 The desirableness of a man `is' his kindness, And better `is' the poor than a liar.

23 The fear of Jehovah `is' to life, And satisfied he remaineth -- he is not charged with evil.

24 The slothful hath hidden his hand in a dish, Even unto his mouth he bringeth it not back.

25 A scorner smite, and the simple acts prudently, And give reproof to the intelligent, He understandeth knowledge.

26 Whoso is spoiling a father causeth a mother to flee, A son causing shame, and bringing confusion.

27 Cease, my son, to hear instruction -- To err from sayings of knowledge.

28 A worthless witness scorneth judgment, And the mouth of the wicked swalloweth iniquity.

29 Judgments have been prepared for scorners, And stripes for the back of fools!

Proverbs 19:1-29 Darby English Bible (DARBY)

1 Better is a poor [man] that walketh in his integrity, than he that is perverse in his lips, and is a fool.

2 Also that a person be without knowledge is not good; and he that hasteth with his feet maketh false steps.

3 The folly of man distorteth his way, and his heart is irritated against Jehovah.

4 Wealth addeth many friends; but the poor is separated from his friend.

5 A false witness shall not be held innocent, and he that uttereth lies shall not escape.

6 Many court the favour of a noble; and every one is friend to a man that giveth.

7 All the brethren of a poor [man] hate him; how much more do his friends go far from him: he pursueth [them] with words, -- they are not [to be found].

8 He that getteth sense loveth his own soul; he that keepeth understanding shall find good.

9 A false witness shall not be held innocent, and he that uttereth lies shall perish.

10 Good living beseemeth not a fool; how much less for a servant to have rule over princes.

11 The discretion of a man maketh him slow to anger, and it is his glory to pass over a transgression.

12 The king's displeasure 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 wealth are an inheritance from fathers; but a prudent wife is from Jehovah.

15 Slothfulness casteth into a deep sleep, and the idle soul shall suffer hunger.

16 He that keepeth the commandment keepeth his soul; he that is careless of his ways shall die.

17 He that is gracious to the poor lendeth unto Jehovah; and what he hath bestowed will he repay unto him.

18 Chasten thy son, seeing there is hope; but set not thy soul upon killing him.

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 Many are the thoughts in a man's heart, but the counsel of Jehovah, that doth stand.

22 The charm of a man is his kindness; and a poor [man] is better than a liar.

23 The fear of Jehovah [tendeth] to life, and he [that hath it] shall rest satisfied without being visited with evil.

24 A sluggard burieth his hand in the dish, and will not even bring it to his mouth again.

25 Smite a scorner, and the simple will beware; reprove the intelligent, and he will understand knowledge.

26 He that ruineth [his] father and chaseth away [his] mother is a son that causeth shame and bringeth reproach.

27 Cease, my son, to hear the instruction which causeth to stray from the words of knowledge.

28 A witness of Belial scorneth judgment, and the mouth of the wicked swalloweth down iniquity.

29 Judgments are prepared for scorners, and stripes for the back of the foolish.

Proverbs 19:1-29 World English Bible (WEB)

1 Better is the poor who walks in his integrity Than he who is perverse in his lips and is a fool.

2 It isn't good to have zeal without knowledge; Nor being hasty with one's feet and missing the way.

3 The foolishness of man subverts his way; His heart rages against Yahweh.

4 Wealth adds many friends, But the poor is separated from his friend.

5 A false witness shall not be unpunished. He who pours out lies shall not go free.

6 Many will entreat the favor of a ruler, And everyone is a friend to a man who gives gifts.

7 All the relatives of the poor shun him: How much more do his friends avoid him! He pursues them with pleas, but they are gone.

8 He who gets wisdom loves his own soul. He who keeps understanding shall find good.

9 A false witness shall not be unpunished. He who utters lies shall perish.

10 Delicate living is not appropriate for a fool, Much less for a servant to have rule over princes.

11 The discretion of a man makes him slow to anger. It is his glory to overlook an offense.

12 The king's wrath is like the roaring of a lion, But his favor is like dew on the grass.

13 A foolish son is the calamity of his father. A wife's quarrels are a continual dripping.

14 House and riches are an inheritance from fathers, But a prudent wife is from Yahweh.

15 Slothfulness casts into a deep sleep. The idle soul shall suffer hunger.

16 He who keeps the commandment keeps his soul, But he who is contemptuous in his ways shall die.

17 He who has pity on the poor lends to Yahweh; He will reward him.

18 Discipline your son, for there is hope; Don't be a willing party to his death.

19 A hot-tempered man must pay the penalty, For if you rescue him, you must do it again.

20 Listen to counsel and receive instruction, That you may be wise in your latter end.

21 There are many plans in a man's heart, But Yahweh's counsel will prevail.

22 That which makes a man to be desired is his kindness. A poor man is better than a liar.

23 The fear of Yahweh leads to life, then contentment; He rests and will not be touched by trouble.

24 The sluggard buries his hand in the dish; He will not so much as bring it to his mouth again.

25 Flog a scoffer, and the simple will learn prudence; Rebuke one who has understanding, and he will gain knowledge.

26 He who robs his father and drives away his mother, Is a son who causes shame and brings reproach.

27 If you stop listening to instruction, my son, You will stray from the words of knowledge.

28 A corrupt witness mocks justice, And the mouth of the wicked gulps down iniquity.

29 Penalties are prepared for scoffers, And beatings for the backs of fools.

Proverbs 19:1-29 Bible in Basic English (BBE)

1 Better is the poor man whose ways are upright, than the man of wealth whose ways are twisted.

2 Further, without knowledge desire is not good; and he who is over-quick in acting goes out of the right way.

3 By his foolish behaviour a man's ways are turned upside down, and his heart is bitter against the Lord.

4 Wealth makes a great number of friends; but the poor man is parted from his friend.

5 A false witness will not go without punishment, and the breather out of deceit will not go free.

6 Great numbers will make attempts to get the approval of a ruler: and every man is the special friend of him who has something to give.

7 All the brothers of the poor man are against him: how much more do his friends go far from him! ...

8 He who gets wisdom has love for his soul: he who keeps good sense will get what is truly good.

9 A false witness will not go without punishment, and the breather out of deceit will be cut off.

10 Material comfort is not good for the foolish; much less for a servant to be put over rulers.

11 A man's good sense makes him slow to wrath, and the overlooking of wrongdoing is his glory.

12 The king's wrath is like the loud cry of a lion, but his approval is like dew on the grass.

13 A foolish son is the destruction of his father; and the bitter arguments of a wife are like drops of rain falling without end.

14 House and wealth are a heritage from fathers, but a wife with good sense is from the Lord.

15 Hate of work sends deep sleep on a man: and he who has no industry will go without food.

16 He who keeps the law keeps his soul; but death will be the fate of him who takes no note of the word.

17 He who has pity on the poor gives to the Lord, and the Lord will give him his reward.

18 Give your son training while there is hope; let not your heart be purposing his death.

19 A man of great wrath will have to take his punishment: for if you get him out of trouble you will have to do it again.

20 Let your ear be open to suggestion and take teaching, so that at the end you may be wise.

21 A man's heart may be full of designs, but the purpose of the Lord is unchanging.

22 The ornament of a man is his mercy, and a poor man is better than one who is false.

23 The fear of the Lord gives life: and he who has it will have need of nothing; no evil will come his way.

24 The hater of work puts his hand deep into the basin, and will not even take it to his mouth again.

25 When blows overtake the man of pride, the simple will get sense; say sharp words to the wise, and knowledge will be made clear to him.

26 He who is violent to his father, driving away his mother, is a son causing shame and a bad name.

27 A son who no longer gives attention to teaching is turned away from the words of knowledge.

28 A good-for-nothing witness makes sport of the judge's decision: and the mouth of evil-doers sends out evil like a stream.

29 Rods are being made ready for the man of pride, and blows for the back of the foolish.

Worthy.Bible » Commentaries » Matthew Henry Commentary » Commentary on Proverbs 19

Commentary on Proverbs 19 Matthew Henry Commentary

John Gill   Keil & Delitzsch   Robert Jamieson: Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible  

Chapter 19

Pro 19:1

Here see,

  • 1. What will be the credit and comfort of a poor man, and make him more excellent than his neighbour, though his poverty may expose him to contempt and may dispirit him. Let him be honest and walk in integrity, let him keep a good conscience and make it appear that he does so, let him always speak and act with sincerity when he is under the greatest temptations to dissemble and break his word, and then let him value himself upon that, for all wise and good men will value him. He is better, has a better character, is in a better condition, is better beloved, and lives to better purpose, than many a one that looks great and makes a figure.
  • 2. What will be the shame of a rich man, notwithstanding all his pomp. If he have a shallow head and an evil tongue, if he is perverse in his lips and is a fool, if he is a wicked man and gets what he has by fraud and oppression, he is a fool, and an honest poor man is to be preferred far before him.

Pro 19:2

Two things are here declared to be of bad consequence:-

  • 1. Ignorance: To be without the knowledge of the soul is not good, so some read it. Know we not our own selves, our own hearts? A soul without knowledge is not good; it is a great privilege that we have souls, but, if these souls have not knowledge, what the better are we? If man has not understanding, he is as the beasts, Ps. 49:20. An ignorant soul cannot be a good soul. That the soul be without knowledge is not safe, nor pleasant; what good can the soul do, of what is it good for, if it be without knowledge?
  • 2. Rashness. He that hastes with his feet (that does things inconsiderately and with precipitation, and will not take time to ponder the path of his feet) sins; he cannot but often miss the mark and take many a false step, which those prevent that consider their ways. As good not know as not consider.

Pro 19:3

We have here two instances of men's folly:-

  • 1. That they bring themselves into straits and troubles, and run themselves a-ground, and embarrass themselves: The foolishness of man perverts his way. Men meet with crosses and disappointments in their affairs, and things do not succeed as they expected and wished, and it is owing to themselves and their own folly; it is their own iniquity that corrects them.
  • 2. That when they have done so they lay the blame upon God, and their hearts fret against him, as if he had done them wrong, whereas really they wrong themselves. In fretting, we are enemies to our own peace, and become self-tormentors; in fretting against the Lord we affront him, his justice, goodness, and sovereignty; and it is very absurd to take occasion from the trouble which we pull upon our own heads by our wilfulness, or neglect, to quarrel with him, when we ought to blame ourselves, for it is our own doing. See Isa. 50:1.

Pro 19:4

Here,

  • 1. We may see how strong men's love of money is, that they will love any man, how undeserving soever he be otherwise, if he has but a deal of money and is free with it, so that they may hope to be the better for it. Wealth enables a man to send many presents, make many entertainments, and do many good offices, and so gains him many friends, who pretend to love him, for they flatter him and make their court to him, but really love what he has, or rather love themselves, hoping to get by him.
  • 2. We may see how weak men's love of one another is. He who, while he prospered, was beloved and respected, if he fall into poverty is separated from his neighbour, is not owned nor looked upon, not visited nor regarded, is bidden to keep his distance and told he is troublesome. Even one that has been his neighbour and acquaintance will turn his face from him and pass by on the other side. Because men's consciences tell them they ought to relieve and succour such, they are willing to have this excuse, that they did not see them.

Pro 19:5

Here we have,

  • 1. The sins threatened-bearing false witness in judgment and speaking lies in common conversation. Men could not arrive at such a pitch of impiety as to bear false witness (where to the guilt of a lie is added that of perjury and injury) if they had not advanced to it by allowing themselves to speak untruths in jest and banter, or under pretence of doing good. Thus men teach their tongues to speak lies, Jer. 9:5. Those that will take a liberty to tell lies in discourse are in a fair way to be guilty of the greater wickedness of false-witness-bearing, whenever they are tempted to it, though they seemed to detest it. Those that can swallow a false word debauch their consciences, so that a false oath will not choke them.
  • 2. The threatening itself: They shall not go unpunished; they shall not escape. This intimates that that which emboldens them in the sin is the hope of impunity, it being a sin which commonly escapes punishment from men, though the law is strict, Deu. 19:18, 19. But it shall not escape the righteous judgment of God, who is jealous, and will not suffer his name to be profaned; we know where all liars will have their everlasting portion.

Pro 19:6-7

These two verses are a comment upon v. 4, and show,

  • 1. How those that are rich and great are courted and caressed, and have suitors and servants in abundance. The prince that has power in his hand, and preferments at his disposal, has his gate and his ante-chamber thronged with petitioners, that are ready to adore him for what they can get. Many will entreat his favour, and think themselves happy in it. Even great men are humble suppliants to the prince. How earnest then should we be for the favour of God, which is far beyond that of any earthly prince. But, it should seem, liberality will go further than majesty itself to gain respect, for there are many that court the prince, but every man is a friend to him that gives gifts; not only those that have received, or do expect, gifts from him, will, as friends, be ready to serve him, but others also will, as friends, give him their good word. Prodigals, who are foolishly free of what they have, will have many hangers-on who will cry them up as long as it lasts, but will leave them when it is done. Those that are prudently generous make an interest by it which may stand them in good stead; those that are accounted benefactors exercise an authority which may give them an opportunity of doing good, Lu. 22:25.
  • 2. How those that are poor and low are slighted and despised. Men may, if they please, court the prince, and the princely, but they may not trample upon the poor and look at them with disdain. Yet so it often is: All the brethren of the poor do hate him; even his own relations are shy of him, because he is needy and craving, and expects something from them, and because they look upon him as a blemish to their family; and then no marvel if others of his friends, that were nothing akin to him, go far from him, to get out of his way. He pursues them with words, hoping to prevail with them by his importunity to be kind to him, but all in vain; they have nothing for him. They pursue him with words (so some understand it), to excuse themselves from giving him any thing; they tell him that he is idle and impertinent, that he has brought himself into poverty, and therefore ought not to be relieved; as Nabal said to David's messengers: "There are many servants now a days that run away from their masters; and how do I know but that David may be one of them?' Let poor people therefore make God their friend, pursue him with their prayers, and he will not be wanting to them.

Pro 19:8

Those are here encouraged,

  • 1. That take pains to get wisdom, to get knowledge, and grace, and acquaintance with God; those that do so show that they love their own souls, and will be found to have done themselves the greatest kindness imaginable. No man ever hated his own flesh, but loves that, yet many are wanting in love to their own souls, for only those love their souls, and consequently love themselves, aright, that get wisdom, true wisdom.
  • 2. That take care to keep it when they have got it; it is health, and wealth, and honour, and all, to the soul, and therefore he that keeps understanding, as he shows that he loves his own soul, so he shall certainly find good, all good. He that retains the good lessons he has learnt, and orders his conversation according to them, shall find the benefit and comfort of it in his own soul and shall be happy here and for ever.

Pro 19:9

Here is,

  • 1. A repetition of what was said before (v. 5), for we have need to be again and again warned of the danger of the sin of lying and false-witness-bearing, since nothing is of more fatal consequence.
  • 2. An addition to it in one word; there it was said, He that speaks lies shall not escape, and intimated that he shall be punished. Here it is said, His punishment shall be such as will be his destruction: he shall perish; the lies he forged against others will be his own ruin. It is a damning destroying sin.

Pro 19:10

Note,

  • 1. Pleasure and liberty ill become a fool: Delight is not seemly for such a one. A man that has not wisdom and grace has no right nor title to true joy, and therefore it is unseemly. It ill becomes those that do not delight in God to delight in any thing, nor how to manage themselves, and therefore they do but expose themselves. It becomes ungracious fools to be afflicted, and mourn, and weep, not to laugh and be merry; rebukes are more proper for them than delights. Delight is seemly for a man of business, to refresh him when he is fatigued, but not for a fool, that lives an idle life and abuses his recreations. The prosperity of fools discovers their folly and destroys them.
  • 2. Power and honour ill become a man of a servile spirit. Nothing is more unseemly than for a servant to have rule over princes; it is absurd in itself, and very preposterous, for none are so insolent and intolerable as a beggar on horseback, a servant when he reigns, ch. 30:22. It is very unseemly for one that is a servant to sin and his lusts to rule over and oppress those that are God's freemen and made kings and priests to him.

Pro 19:11

A wise man will observe these two rules about his anger:

  • 1. Not to be over-hasty in his resentments: Discretion teaches us to defer our anger, to defer the admission of it till we have thoroughly considered all the merits of the provocation, seen them in a true light and weighed them in a just balance; and then to defer the prosecution of it till there be no danger of running into any indecencies. Plato said to his servant, "I would beat thee, but that I am angry.' Give it time, and it will cool.
  • 2. Not to be over-critical in his resentments. Whereas it is commonly looked upon as a piece of ingenuity to apprehend an affront quickly, it is here made a man's glory to pass over a transgression, to appear as if he did not see it (Ps. 38:13), or, if he sees fit to take notice of it, yet to forgive it and meditate no revenge.

Pro 19:12

This is to the same purport with what we had ch. 16:14, 15, and the design of it is,

  • 1. To make kings wise and considerate in dispensing their frowns and smiles. They are not like those of common persons; their frowns are very terrible and their smiles very comfortable, and therefore it concerns them to be very careful that they never frighten a good man from doing well with their frowns, nor ever give countenance to a wicked man in doing ill with their smiles, for then they abuse their influence, Rom. 13:3.
  • 2. To make subjects faithful and dutiful to their princes. Let them be restrained from all disloyalty by the consideration of the dreadful consequence of having the government against them; and let them be encouraged in all good services to the public by the hopes of the favour of their prince. Christ is a King whose wrath against his enemies will be as the roaring of a lion (Rev. 10:3) and his favour to his own people as the refreshing dew, Ps. 72:6.

Pro 19:13

It is an instance of the vanity of the world that we are liable to the greatest grief in those things wherein we promise ourselves the greatest comfort. It is as it proves. What greater temporal comfort can a man have than a good wife and good children? Yet,

  • 1. A foolish son is a great affliction, and may make a man wish a thousand times he had been written childless. A son that will apply himself to no study or business, that will take no advice, that lives a lewd, loose, rakish life, and spends what he has extravagantly, games it away and wastes it in the excess of riot, or that is proud, foppish, and conceited, such a one is the grief of his father, because he is the disgrace, and is likely to be the ruin, of his family. He hates all his labour, when he sees to whom he must leave the fruit of it.
  • 2. A cross peevish wife is as great an affliction: Her contentions are continual; every day, and every hour in the day, she finds some occasion to make herself and those about her uneasy. Those that are accustomed to chide never want something or other to chide at; but it is a continual dropping, that is, a continual vexation, as it is to have a house so much out of repair that it rains in and a man cannot lie dry in it. That man has an uncomfortable life, and has need of a great deal of wisdom and grace to enable him to bear his affliction and do his duty, who has a sot for his son and a scold for his wife.

Pro 19:14

Note,

  • 1. A discreet and virtuous wife is a choice gift of God's providence to a man-a wife that is prudent, in opposition to one that is contentious, v. 13. For, though a wife that is continually finding fault may think it is her wit and wisdom to be so, it is really her folly; a prudent wife is meek and quiet, and makes the best of every thing. If a man has such a wife, let him not ascribe it to the wisdom of his own choice or his own management (for the wisest have been deceived both in and by a woman), but let him ascribe it to the goodness of God, who made him a help meet for him, and perhaps by some hits and turns of providence that seemed casual brought her to him. Every creature is what he makes it. Happy marriages, we are sure, are made in heaven; Abraham's servant prayed in the belief of this, Gen. 24:12.
  • 2. It is a more valuable gift than house and riches, contributes more to the comfort and credit of a man's life and the welfare of his family, is a greater token of God's favour, and about which the divine providence is in a more especial manner conversant. A good estate may be the inheritance of fathers, which, by the common direction of Providence, comes in course to a man; but no man has a good wife by descent or entail. Parents that are worldly, in disposing of their children, look no further than to match them to house and riches, but, if withal it be to a prudent wife, let God have the glory.

Pro 19:15

See here the evil of a sluggish slothful disposition.

  • 1. It stupefies men, and makes them senseless, and mindless of their own affairs, as they were cast into a deep sleep, dreaming much, but doing nothing. Slothful people doze away their time, bury their talents, live a useless life, and are the unprofitable burdens of the earth; for any service they do when they are awake they might as well be always asleep. Even their souls are idle and lulled asleep, their rational powers chilled and frozen.
  • 2. It impoverishes men and brings them to want. Those that will not labour cannot expect to eat, but must suffer hunger: An idle soul, one that is idle in the affairs of his soul, that takes no care or pains to work out his salvation, shall perish for want of that which is necessary to the life and happiness of the soul.

Pro 19:16

Here is,

  • 1. The happiness of those that walk circumspectly. Those that make conscience of keeping the commandment in every thing, that live by rule, as becomes servants and patients, keep their own souls; they secure their present peace and future bliss, and provide every way well for themselves. If we keep God's word, God's word will keep us from every thing really hurtful.
  • 2. The misery of those that live at large and never mind what they do: Those that despair their ways shall die, shall perish eternally; they are in the high road to ruin. With respect to those that are careless about the end of their ways, and never consider whither they are going, and about the rule of their ways, that will walk in the way of their hearts and after the course of the world (Eccl. 11:9), that never consider what they have done nor what they are concerned to do, but walk at all adventures (Lev. 26:21), right or wrong, it is all one to them-what can come of this but the greatest mischief?

Pro 19:17

Here is,

  • I. The duty of charity described. It includes two things:-
    • 1. Compassion, which is the inward principle of charity in the heart; it is to have pity on the poor. Those that have not a penny for the poor, yet may have pity for them, a charitable concern and sympathy; and, if a man give all his goods to feed the poor and have not this charity in his heart, it is nothing, 1 Co. 13:3. We must draw out our souls to the hungry, Isa. 58:10.
    • 2. Bounty and liberality. We must not only pity the poor, but give, according to their necessity and our ability, Jam. 2:15, 16. That which he has given. Margin, His deed. It is charity to do for the poor, as well as to give; and thus, if they have their limbs and senses, they may be charitable to one another.
  • II. The encouragement of charity.
    • 1. A very kind construction shall be put upon it. What is given to the poor, or done for them, God will place it to account as lent to him, lent upon interest (so the word signifies); he takes it kindly, as if it were done to himself, and he would have us take the comfort of it and to be as well pleased as ever any usurer was when he had let out a sum of money into good hands.
    • 2. A very rich recompence shall be made for it: He will pay him again, in temporal, spiritual, and eternal blessings. Almsgiving is the surest and safest way of thriving.

Pro 19:18

Parents are here cautioned against a foolish indulgence of their children that are untoward and viciously inclined, and that discover such an ill temper of mind as is not likely to be cured but by severity.

  • 1. Do not say that it is all in good time to correct them; no, as soon as ever there appears a corrupt disposition in them check it immediately, before it gets head, and takes root, and is hardened into a habit: Chasten thy son while there is hope, for perhaps, if he be let alone awhile, he will be past hope, and a much greater chastening will not do that which now a less would effect. It is easiest plucking up weeds as soon as they spring up, and the bullock that is designed for the yoke should be betimes accustomed to it.
  • 2. Do not say that it is a pity to correct them, and that, because they cry and beg to be forgiven, you cannot find in your heart to do it. If the point can be gained without correction, well and good; but if you find, as it often proves, that your forgiving them once, upon a dissembled repentance and promise of amendment, does but embolden them to offend again, especially if it be a thing that is in itself sinful (as lying, swearing, ribaldry, stealing, or the like), in such a case put on resolution, and let not thy soul spare for his crying. It is better that he should cry under thy rod than under the sword of the magistrate, or, which is more fearful, that of divine vengeance.

Pro 19:19

  • 1. As we read this, it intimates, in short, that angry men never want woe. Those that are of strong, or rather headstrong, passions, commonly bring themselves and their families into trouble by vexatious suits and quarrels and the provocations they give; they are still smarting, in one instance or other, for their ungoverned heats; and, if their friends deliver them out of one trouble, they will quickly involve themselves in another, and they must do it again, all which troubles to themselves and others would be prevented if they would mortify their passions and get the rule of their own spirits.
  • 2. It may as well be read, He that is of great wrath (meaning the child that is to be corrected and is impatient of rebuke, cries and makes a noise, even that wrath of his against the rod of correction) deserves to be punished; for, if thou deliver him for the sake of that, thou wilt be forced to punish him so much the more next time. A stomachful high-spirited child must be subdued betimes, or it will be the worse for it.

Pro 19:20

Note,

  • 1. It is well with those that are wise in their latter end, wise for their latter end, for their future state, wise for another world, that are found wise when their latter end comes, wise virgins, wise builders, wise stewards, that are wise at length, and understand the things that belong to their peace, before they be hidden from their eyes. A carnal worldling at his end shall be a fool (Jer. 17:11), but godliness will prove wisdom at last.
  • 2. Those that would be wise in their latter end must hear counsel and receive instruction, in their beginnings must be willing to be taught and ruled, willing to be advised and reproved, when they are young. Those that would be stored in winter must gather in summer.

Pro 19:21

Here we have,

  • 1. Men projecting. They keep their designs to themselves, but they cannot hide them from God; he knows the many devices that are in men's hearts,-devices against his counsels (as those, Ps. 2:1-3; Micah 4:11),-devices without his counsel (no regard had to his providence, as those Jam. 4:13, this and the other they will do, and not take God along with them),-devices unlike God's counsels; men are wavering in their devices, and often absurd and unjust, but God's counsels are wise and holy, steady and uniform.
  • 2. God overruling. Various men have various designs, according as their inclination or interest leads them, but the counsel of the Lord, that shall stand, whatever becomes of the devices of men. His counsel often breaks men's measures and baffles their devices; but their devices cannot in the least alter his counsel, not disturb the proceedings of it, nor put him upon new counsels, Isa. 14:24; 46:11. What a check does this give to politic designing men, who think they can outwit all mankind, that there is a God in heaven that laughs at them! Ps. 2:4. What comfort does this speak to all God's people, that all God's purposes, which we are sure are right and good, shall be accomplished in due time!

Pro 19:22

Note,

  • 1. The honour of doing good is what we may laudably be ambitious of. It cannot but be the desire of man, if he have any spark of virtue in him, to be kind; one would not covet an estate for any thing so much as thereby to be put into a capacity of relieving the poor and obliging our friends.
  • 2. It is far better to have a heart to do good and want ability for it than have ability for it and want a heart to it: The desire of a man to be kind, and charitable, and generous, is his kindness, and shall be so construed; both God and man will accept his good-will, according to what he has, and will not expect more. A poor man, who wishes you well, but can promise you nothing, because he has nothing to be kind with, is better than a liar, than a rich man who makes you believe he will do mighty things, but, when it comes to the setting to, will do nothing. the character of the men of low degree, that they are vanity, from whom nothing is expected, is better than that of men of high degree, that they are a lie, they deceive those whose expectations they raised.

Pro 19:23

See what those that get by it that live in the fear of God, and always make conscience of their duty to him.

  • 1. Safety: They shall not be visited with evil; they may be visited with sickness or other afflictions, but there shall be no evil in them, nothing to hurt them, because nothing to separate them from the love of God, or hurt to the soul.
  • 2. Satisfaction: They shall abide satisfied; they shall have those comforts which are satisfying, and shall have a constant contentment and complacency in them. It is a satisfaction which will abide, whereas all the satisfactions of sense are transient and soon gone. Satur pernoctabit, non cubabit incoenatus-He shall not go supperless to bed; he shall have that which will make him easy and be an entertainment to him in his silent and solitary hours, Ps. 16:6, 7.
  • 3. True and complete happiness. Serious godliness has a direct tendency to life; to all good, to eternal life; it is the sure and ready way to it; there is something in the nature of it fitting men for heaven and so leading them to it.

Pro 19:24

A sluggard is here exposed as a fool, for,

  • 1. All his care is to save himself from labour and cold. See his posture: He hides his hand in his bosom, pretends he is lame and cannot work; his hands are cold, and he must warm them in his bosom; and, when they are warm there, he must keep them so. He hugs himself in his own ease and is resolved against labour and hardship. Let those work that love it; for his part he thinks there is no such fine life as sitting still and doing nothing.
  • 2. He will not be at the pains to feed himself, an elegant hyperbole; as we say, A man is so lazy that he would not shake fire off him, so here, He cannot find in his heart to take his hand out of his bosom, no, not to put meat into his own mouth. If the law be so that those that will not labour must not eat, he will rather starve than stir. Thus his sin is his punishment, and therefore is egregious folly.

Pro 19:25

Note,

  • 1. The punishment of scorners will be a means of good to others. When men are so hardened in wickedness that they will not themselves be wrought upon by the severe methods that are used to reclaim and reform them, yet such methods must be used for the sake of others, that they may hear and fear, Deu. 19:20. If the scorner will not be recovered from his sin, the disease being inveterate, yet the simple will beware of venturing upon the sin which exposes men thus. If it cure not the infected, it may prevent the spreading of the infection.
  • 2. The reproof of wise men will be a means of good to themselves. They need not be smitten; a word to the wise is enough. Do but reprove one that has understanding and he will so far understand himself and his own interest that he will understand knowledge by it, and not miss it again through ignorance and inadvertency when once he has been told of it; so kindly does he take reproof and so wisely improve it.

Pro 19:26

Here is,

  • 1. The sin of a prodigal son. Besides the wrong he does to himself, he is injurious to his good parents, and basely ungrateful to those that were instruments of his being and have taken so much care and pains about him, which is a great aggravation of his sin and renders it exceedingly sinful in the eyes of God and man: He wastes is father, wastes his estate which he should have to support him in his old age, wastes his spirits, and breaks his heart, and brings his gray head with sorrow to the grave. He chases away his mother, alienates her affections from him, which cannot be done without a great deal of regret and uneasiness to her; he makes her weary of the house, with his rudeness and insolence, and glad to retire for a little quietness; and, when he has spent all, he turns her out of doors.
  • 2. The shame of a prodigal son. It is a shame to himself that he should be so brutish and unnatural. He makes himself odious to all mankind. It is a shame to his parents and family, who are reflected upon, though, perhaps, without just cause, for teaching him no better, or being in some way wanting to him.

Pro 19:27

This is a good caution to those that have had a good education to take heed of hearkening to those who, under pretence of instructing them, draw them off from those good principles under the influence of which they were trained up. Observe,

  • 1. There is that which seems designed for instruction, but really tends to the destruction of young men. The factors for vice will undertake to teach them free thoughts and a fashionable conversation, how to palliate the sins they have a mind to and stop the mouth of their own consciences, how to get clear of the restraints of their education and to set up for wits and beaux. This is the instruction which causes to err from the forms of sound words, which should be held fast in faith and love.
  • 2. It is the wisdom of young men to turn a deaf ear to such instructions, as the adder does to the charms that are designed to ensnare her. "Dread hearing such talk as tends top instil loose principles into the mind; and, if thou art linked in with such, break off from them; thou hast heard enough, or too much, and therefore hear no more of the evil communication which corrupts good manners.'

Pro 19:28

Here is a description of the worst of sinners, whose hearts are fully set in them to do evil.

  • 1. They set that at defiance which would deter and detain them from sin: An ungodly witness is one that bears false witness against his neighbour, and will forswear himself to do another a mischief, in which there is not only great injustice, but great impiety; this is one of the worst of men. Or an ungodly witness is one that profanely and atheistically witnesses against religion and godliness, whose instructions seduce from the words of knowledge (v. 27); such a one scorns judgment, laughs at the terrors of the Lord, mocks at that fear, Job 15:26. Tell him of law and equity, that the scriptures and an oath are sacred things, and not to be jested with, that there will come a reckoning day; he laughs at it all, and scorns to heed it.
  • 2. They are greedy, and glad of that which gives them an opportunity to sin: The mouth of the wicked eagerly devours iniquity, drinks it in like water, Job 15:16.

Pro 19:29

Note,

  • 1. Scorners are fools. Those that ridicule things sacred and serious do but make themselves ridiculous. Their folly shall be manifest unto all men.
  • 2. Those that scorn judgments cannot escape them, v. 28. The unbelief of man shall not make God's threatenings of no effect; those that devour iniquity swallow the hook with the bait. The civil magistrate has judgments prepared for scorners, for otherwise he would bear the sword in vain; but if he be remiss, and connive at sin, yet God's judgments slumber not; they are prepared, Mt. 25:41.