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. |
19
19:2 Hasteth - That rashly and headily rushes into actions.
19:3 Perverteth - Blasts his designs and enterprises. Fretteth - He ascribes his unhappiness not to his own sin, but to God and his providence.
19:6 A friend - in profession.
19:7 Brethren - His nearest relations. Hate - Despise and shun him.Pursueth - Earnestly imploring their pity.
19:10 Delight - To live in pleasure and outward glory, doth not become him, nor suit with him; because prosperity corrupts even wise men, and makes fools mad; and because it gives him more opportunity to discover his folly, and to do mischief both to himself and others.
19:13 Dropping - Are like rain continually dropping upon an house.
19:15 Casteth - Makes a man careless, and like one asleep in his business.
19:16 His ways - The commands of God.
19:18 While - Before custom in sin, and thy indulgence have made him incorrigible. Let not - Forbear not to give him due and necessary correction.
19:19 Great wrath - Of strong passions. Deliver - If thou forbear to punish him. Do it - Thou must deliver him again and again.
19:22 The desire - The hearty desire of being kind is accepted by God, and should be owned by men as a real kindness. A poor man - Who is not able to give what he desires to do. A liar - Than a rich man who feeds the poor with fair promises, but doth not perform what he pretends.
19:23 Satisfied - Shall be fully contented with God's favour and blessing.
19:24 Bring it - To feed himself; he expects that the meat should drop into his mouth.
19:25 Scorner - An obstinate and impudent transgressor. Simple - Who sin thro' ignorance, being possibly drawn to it by the scorner's evil counsel or example. Reprove - A verbal reproof will be more effectual for his reformation, than the severest punishments will be to a scorner.
19:26 Wasteth - His father's estate. Chaseth - Causes her to avoid his presence, and to go from the house where he is.
19:28 Scorneth - Hath no reverence to the place of justice, nor to the presence of God there. Devoureth - Utters it with greediness and delight.
19:29 Prepared - Although they be deferred for a time, yet they are treasured up for them.