UNROLL
At a plain stone gateway in morning shade, one open hand holds out a round of bread to a thin, weathered hand reaching up from a bench.

Solomon’s sayings

Proverbs 19

Someone near you can’t pay you back. This chapter says who will.

29 verses≈ 4 minBSB

Images are artistic interpretations.

Tap any post to go deeper

Where we are

  1. 1–7The father's talksWhy the book exists, then a father to his son
  2. 8–9Wisdom callsHer house and Folly's
  3. 10–22:16Solomon's sayingsTwo lines at a timeChapter 19
  4. 22:17–24The sayings of the wiseThirty sayings, and a few more
  5. 25–29Hezekiah's collectionMore of Solomon, copied out later
  6. 30AgurNumbered sayings from a weary man
  7. 31LemuelA mother's words, and the noble wife

The Man of Integrity

Better a poor man who walks with integrity

than a fool whose lips are perverse.

Even zeal is no good without knowledge, and he who hurries his footsteps misses the mark.

Tap to go deeper: meaning, history and related Scripture

A man’s own folly subverts his way,

yet his heart rages against the LORD.

At dusk in a town lane, a thin man in a patched cloak stands at a shut door, while light spills from another house further down.

Wealth attracts many friends,

but a poor man is deserted by his friend.

A false witness will not go unpunished,

and one who utters lies will not escape.

Many seek the favor of the prince,

and everyone is a friend of the gift giver.

All the brothers of a poor man hate him—

how much more do his friends avoid him!

He may pursue them with pleading,

but they are nowhere to be found.

0:25

Narrated by Bob Souer · BSB audio, public domain

Sayings

Insight

  1. Wisdom

    He who acquires wisdom

    He who acquires wisdom loves himself;

    one who safeguards understanding will find success.

  2. Words

    A false witness

    A false witness will not go unpunished,

    and one who pours out lies will perish.

  3. Wisdom

    Luxury and a fool

    Luxury is unseemly for a fool—

    how much worse for a slave to rule over princes!

  4. Anger

    Overlooking an offense

    A man’s insight gives him patience,

    and his virtue is to overlook an offense.

Reflect

Take it home

What offense could you overlook this week and leave behind?

A king’s rage is like the roar of a lion,

but his favor is like dew on the grass.

He who keeps a commandment preserves his soul,

but he who is careless in his ways will die.

In a courtyard in plain daylight, a farmer tips barley from his wooden measure into a worn bowl held by an old widow.

Kindness to the poor is a loan to the LORD,

and He will repay the lender.

Kindness to the poor is a loan to the LORD

Question

Quick question

Back to verse 17 and the one who gives to the poor.

Who ends up owing the lender?

Discipline your son, for in that there is hope;

do not be party to his death.

A man of great anger must pay the penalty;

if you rescue him, you will have to do so again.

Listen to counsel and accept discipline,

that you may be wise the rest of your days.

Many plans are in a man’s heart, but the purpose of the LORD will prevail.

Pray

Say it to Him

LORD, I have my plans and You know every one of them. Help me hold them with an open hand. Let Your purpose stand, in my life and over it, and make me glad when it does.

The desire of a man is loving devotion;

better to be poor than a liar.

The fear of the LORD leads to life,

that one may rest content, without visitation from harm.

At a low table at midday, a heavy man’s hand rests wrist-deep in a dish of stew while he slumps on his elbow behind it.

The slacker buries his hand in the dish;

he will not even bring it back to his mouth.

Sayings

Mockers

  1. Wisdom

    Strike a mocker

    Strike a mocker, and the simple will beware;

    rebuke the discerning man, and he will gain knowledge.

  2. Family

    A son who shames

    He who assaults his father or evicts his mother

    is a son who brings shame and disgrace.

  3. Wisdom

    Cease to hear

    If you cease to hear instruction, my son,

    you will stray from the words of knowledge.

  4. Justice

    A corrupt witness

    A corrupt witness mocks justice,

    and a wicked mouth swallows iniquity.

  5. Wisdom

    Beatings for fools

    Judgments are prepared for mockers,

    and beatings for the backs of fools.

You’ve experienced

Proverbs 19

0 of 31 chapters read

A verse to carry with you

Many plans are in a man’s heart, but the purpose of the LORD will prevail.

Proverbs 19:21

or swipe left