Proverbs
Chapter 19

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1 Better is the poore that walketh in his integrity, then he that is peruerse in his lippes, and is a foole.

2 Also, that the soule be without knowledge, it is not good, and hee that hasteth with his feete, sinneth.

3 The foolishnesse of man peruerteth his way: and his heart fretteth against the Lord.

4 Wealth maketh many friends: but the poore is separated from his neighbour.

5 A false witnesse shall not be vnpunished: and he that speaketh lyes, shal not escape.

6 Many will entreate the fauour of the Prince: and euery man is a friend to him that giueth gifts.

7 All the brethren of the poore doe hate him: howe much more doe his friends goe farre from him? Hee pursueth them with words, yet they are wanting to him.

8 He that getteth wisedome loueth his owne soule: he that keepeth vnderstanding shall find good.

9 A false witnesse shall not be vnpunished, and hee that speaketh lyes, shall perish.

10 Delight is not seemely for a foole: much lesse for a seruant to haue rule ouer princes.

11 The discretion of a man deferreth his anger: and it is his glory to passe ouer a transgression.

12 The kings wrath is as the roaring of a lyon: but his fauour is as dewe vpon the grasse.

13 A foolish sonne is the calamity of his father; and the contentions of a wife are a continuall dropping.

14 House and riches, are the inheritance of fathers; and a prudent wife is from the Lord.

15 Slouthfulnesse casteth into a deep sleepe: and an idle soule shall suffer hunger.

16 He that keepeth the commandement, keepeth his owne soule: but hee that despiseth his wayes, shall die.

17 Hee that hath pity vpon the poore, lendeth vnto the Lord; and that which he hath giuen, will he pay him againe.

18 Chasten thy sonne while there is hope; and let not thy soule spare for his crying.

19 A man of great wrath shall suffer punishment: for if thou deliuer him, yet thou must doe it againe.

20 Heare counsell, and receiue instruction, that thou mayest be wise in thy latter end.

21 There are many deuices in a mans heart: neuerthelesse the counsell of the Lord, that shall stand.

22 The desire of a man is his kindnesse: and a poore man is better then a lyar.

23 The feare of the Lord tendeth to life, and he that hath it shall abide satisfied: he shall not be visited with euill.

24 A slouthfull man hideth his hand in his bosome, and wil not so much as bring it to his mouth againe.

25 Smite a scorner, and the simple will beware; and reprooue one that hath vnderstanding, and he will vnderstand knowledge.

26 He that wasteth his father, and chaseth away his mother, is a sonne that causeth shame, and bringeth reproch.

27 Cease, my sonne, to heare the instruction, that causeth to erre from the words of knowledge.

28 An vngodly witnesse scorneth iudgement: and the mouth of the wicked deuoureth iniquitie.

29 Iudgements are prepared for scorners, and stripes for the backe of fooles.

Viewing the original 1611 KJV with archaic English spelling
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Commentary for Proverbs 19

1 A poor man who fears God, is more honourable and happy, than a man without wisdom and grace, however rich or advanced in rank. #2|. What good can the soul do, if without knowledge? And he sins who will not take time to ponder the path of his feet. 3|. Men run into troubles by their own folly, and then fret at the appointments of God. #4|. Here we may see how strong is men's love of money. #5|. Those that tell lies in discourse, are in a fair way to be guilty of bearing false-witness. #6|. We are without excuse if we do not love God with all our hearts. His gifts to us are past number, and all the gifts of men to us are fruits of his bounty. #7|. Christ was left by all his disciples; but the Father was with him. It encourages our faith that he had so large an experience of the sorrows of poverty. #8|. Those only love their souls aright that get true wisdom. #9|. Lying is a damning, destroying sin. #10|. A man that has not wisdom and grace, has no right or title to true joy. It is very unseemly for one who is a servant to sin, to oppress God's free-men. 11|. He attains the most true glory who endeavours most steadily to overcome evil with good. #12|. Christ is a King, whose wrath against his enemies will be as the roaring of a lion, and his favour to his people as the refreshing dew. #13|. It shows the vanity of the world, that we are liable to the greatest griefs where we promise ourselves the greatest comfort. 14|. A discreet and virtuous wife is more valuable than house and riches. #15|. A sluggish, slothful disposition makes men poor; it brings them to want. And this applies both to the present life and that which is to come. #16|. If we keep God's word, God's word will keep us from every thing really hurtful. We abuse the doctrine of free grace, if we think that it does away the necessity and advantage of obedience. Those that live at random must die. This truth is clearly taught in words enough to alarm the stoutest sinner. #17|. God has chosen the poor of this world, to be rich in faith, and heirs of his kingdom. #18|. When parents keep under foolish tenderness, they do their best to render children a comfort to them, and happy in themselves. 19|. The spared and spoiled child is likely to become a man of great wrath. #20|. Those that would be wise in their latter end, must be taught and ruled when young. #21|. What should we desire, but that all our purposes may agree with God's holy will? #22|. It is far better to have a heart to do good, and want ability for it, than to have ability for it, and want a heart to it. #23|. Those that live in the fear of God, shall get safety, satisfaction, and true and complete happiness. #24|. Indolence, when indulged, so grows upon people, that they have no heart to do the most needful things for themselves. #25|. A gentle rebuke goes farthest with a man of understanding. #26|. The young man who wastes his father's substance, or makes his aged mother destitute, is hateful, and will come to disgrace. 27|. It is the wisdom of young men to dread hearing such talk as puts loose and evil principles into the mind. #28|. Those are the worst of sinners, who are glad of an opportunity to sin. 29|. The unbelief of man shall not make God's threatenings of no effect. Christ himself, when bearing sins not his own, was not spared. Justice and judgment took hold of our blessed Surety; and will God spare obstinate sinners?

Commentary by Matthew Henry, 1710.

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