Proverbs 19

Proverbs 19:1

A poor, honest, and upright, man is much more happy and honourable, than a rich wicked man that makes no conscience either of speaking or acting in a wise and gracious manner

Proverbs 19:2

When a man is ignorant, not knowing what to follow or what to avoid, he cannot become holy or happy. And he, who in a rash and unadvised manner pursues his purpose, cannot fail to commit many sinful blunders

Proverbs 19:3

When a man’s ignorance and wickedness have made him to miscarry, he often blames the providence of God, and frets and murmurs against him

Proverbs 19:4

When men grow rich they are sure to have many courting their favour, and professing themselves their hearty friends; but when they become poor, and need friends, even those who were formerly kind turn their backs on them

Proverbs 19:5

False witnesses, and private calumniators, shall at last, however slowly, meet with the due punishment of their wickedness. 6, 7. Multitudes will court the favour of the great and liberal, who can enrich or advance them; but every body is apt to desert and contemn the poor, who need and beg their assistance

Proverbs 19:8

He that receives Christ learns the true knowledge of God; and he, who strictly practices the direction of his word, shews a real rerd to his own soul, and shall obtain the spiritual and eternal blessings which he needs

Proverbs 19:10

Not plenty, prosperity, or pleasure, but rather stripes, are it for fools: and much less is it proper for slaves to be able wantonly to domineer over princes, and men of great wealth or honour

Proverbs 19:11

It is an evidence of great wisdom to be slow to anger: and it is a great honour kindly to pass over injuries, and return good for evil

Proverbs 19:12

The frowns and wrath of a king are very terrible to his subjects, and make them apprehensive of ruin; but the tokens of his favour greatly refresh and invigorate their spirits

Proverbs 19:13

An ignorant, headstrong, and impious, son, is a plague and grief to his parents; and a contentious wife is a gradual ruin to her family, so perpetually vexing her husband that he can scarcely live with her

Proverbs 19:14

Persons may have houses and niches left them by parents; but a prudent wife is not obtained, even by diligent care, without the peculiar direction and blessing of the Lord

Proverbs 19:15

Sloth and idleness sink the mind into a dull stupidity and unconcern, and thereby reduce them to extreme beggary and want

Proverbs 19:16

He, who carefully keeps the commandments of God as the rule of his life, secures the welfare of his own soul: but he that lives at random, led only by his own brutish inclinations, shall be miserable in time and in eternity

Proverbs 19:17

He, who compassionately relieves the necessities of the poor, really enriches himself; as what he gives is but lent to the Lord, and shall be repaid, with large interest and increase of blessings, upon him and his posterity

Proverbs 19:18

Children ought to be faithfully corrected before they are fixed in evil habits and customs: nor ought their cryings or entreaties to make parents abate the necessary severity towards them

Proverbs 19:19

Men given to mission and fury bring themselves into great mischiefs: and, if we extricate them out of one danger, they will quickly involve themselves in another

Proverbs 19:20

To listen to instruction, and kindly receive reproofs, or even corrections, is the proper way to attain much solid and lasting wisdom and experience

Proverbs 19:21

Many are the purposes and contrivances of men, and they often lay them with great care: but it is only the counsel of the Lord which can infallibly bring to pass whatsoever it pleases

Proverbs 19:22

A desire to do good to others is a real kindness to them, though it be not in our power to effect it. And a poor man, who would gain do us good, is better than one who promises much and does little

Proverbs 19:23

True godliness, and a religious care to please the Lord in all things, increase a spiritual life, and issue in life eternal. They afford the most satisfying comfort in God’s favour, produce the most agreeable contentment with our lot, and are an excellent preservative both from sin and from suffering

Proverbs 19:24

Sluggards do so much given to laziness and idle sauntering, that they can hardly be persuaded to take their meat, or do the most necessary and easy things

Proverbs 19:25

Inverrigible sinners, and particularly scoffers at religion, and despisers of reproof, ought to be severely punished, as a warning to such as are inconsiderate: but such as are wise and prudent will need no more but a gentle reproof to make them learn their duty, and practise accordingly

Proverbs 19:26

Children, who by their debaucheries waste their fathers’ substance, and deal unkindly with their mother, disgrace their parents, and at last render themselves infamous and miserable

Proverbs 19:27

Great care ought to be taken to avoid listening to false doctrine, sinful advice, or even idle and frothy language, as it tends to make us wander from the true doctrines of Christ, and practice of holiness

Proverbs 19:28

An impious witness, whose conscience is so hardened that he can swear to any thing, laughs at all law and justice, and even at the threatened judgment of God upon perjured persons; and the mouth of the wicked utters the most false, sinful, and mischievous, speeches with greediness

Proverbs 19:29

But terrible judgments shall certainly be inflicted upon those that scoff at conscience and religion; and indelible marks of God’s displeasure shall be inflicted on those who slight good instructions