Proverbs 19 in plain modern English. New Ground English Translation.
Time Period
During the reign of King Solomon (~970-930 BC)
Location
Jerusalem, Kingdom of Israel
Audience
The people of Israel, particularly young men, court officials, and leaders
Situation
Proverbs 19 collects wisdom sayings addressing poverty and wealth, discipline, laziness, and the importance of integrity over material success.
Key Background
This chapter shows particular concern for the poor and marginalized — noting how poverty drives away friends (v.4,7), that kindness to the poor is lending to Yahweh (v.17), and warning against exploiting the vulnerable. It also addresses parental discipline, the consequences of anger, and the supremacy of Yahweh's purposes over human plans. These proverbs reflect Solomon's responsibility as king to establish justice for all social classes in Israel.
Better to be and live with than to be a whose words twist the truth.
Enthusiasm without is no good — and if you rush ahead, you'll the
A person's own wrecks their life, and then their heart rages against
Wealth keeps attracting new but poverty drives the few away.
A won't go unpunished, and anyone who out won't escape.
Many seek the of a and everyone is a friend to someone who gives gifts.
If even a poor person's own avoids them, how much more do their friends keep their distance! They chase after words that aren't there.
Whoever gains loves their own life; whoever guards will find what is
A lying witness won't go unpunished, and anyone who breathes out lies will be
doesn't suit a fool — even less does a ruling over leaders.
Good sense makes a person to and it's to their credit when they an
A king's is like a lion's roar, but his favor is like on the grass.
A foolish child is a father's and a is a constant drip that never stops.
A house and wealth are inherited from parents, but a — that's from
pulls you into a deep sleep, and an will go hungry.
Whoever keeps the preserves their life, but whoever is their will die.
Whoever is to the is to and he will pay them back in full for what they've done.
your children while there's still — don't be the one responsible for their downfall.
A person with a will pay the price — if you rescue them, you'll just have to do it again.
Listen to and accept so that you'll be by the end of your life.
People make all kinds of in their hearts, but it's Yahweh's that wins out.
What makes a person attractive is their and it's better to be poor than a liar.
leads to — you'll rest satisfied and untouched by trouble.
A buries their hand in the and won't even bring it back to their mouth.
Strike a and the might learn something; correct a person with understanding, and they'll gain knowledge.
Whoever their father and drives out their mother is a child who brings and disgrace.
Stop listening to my child, and you'll wander right away from words of
A mocks justice, and the mouth of the wicked
are ready for and beatings for the backs of