Read Proverbs 19 in the King James Bible (opens in a new tab)
Proverbs 19 continues the contrast between wisdom and folly by showing how integrity, patience, teachability, and the fear of the Lord lead to life, while haste, deceit, laziness, and hard-heartedness bring trouble. The chapter repeatedly exposes how human judgment can be twisted by wealth, favoritism, and selfish desire, yet the Lord sees beyond appearances and weighs the path of every person. It also stresses that zeal without knowledge is dangerous, and that true wisdom receives correction rather than resisting it. Family life, speech, justice, and compassion toward the poor are all brought under the searching light of God’s moral order. The chapter’s purpose is to train the reader to walk in practical righteousness, not trusting impulse or outward advantage, but submitting to the Lord’s counsel.
Proverbs 19:1 - 19:29
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.