wisdom library
Proverbs 19 — NIV
Poverty, Patience, and the Purposes of the Lord
Proverbs 19 contrasts integrity with dishonest gain, honors patience and mercy, and affirms that many plans may form in a heart, but the Lord’s purpose prevails.
Proverbs 19:1“1 Better the poor whose walk is blameless than a fool whose lips are perverse.”
Proverbs 19:2“2 Desire without knowledge is not good— how much more will hasty feet miss the way!”
Proverbs 19:3“3 A person’s own folly leads to their ruin, yet their heart rages against the Lord.”
Proverbs 19:4“4 Wealth attracts many friends, but even the closest friend of the poor person deserts them.”
Proverbs 19:5“5 A false witness will not go unpunished, and whoever pours out lies will not go free.”
Proverbs 19:6“6 Many curry favor with a ruler, and everyone is the friend of one who gives gifts.”
Proverbs 19:7“7 The poor are shunned by all their relatives— how much more do their friends avoid them! Though the poor pursue them with pleading, they are nowhere to be found.[a]”
Proverbs 19:8“8 The one who gets wisdom loves life; the one who cherishes understanding will soon prosper.”
Proverbs 19:9“9 A false witness will not go unpunished, and whoever pours out lies will perish.”
Proverbs 19:10“10 It is not fitting for a fool to live in luxury— how much worse for a slave to rule over princes!”
Proverbs 19:11“11 A person’s wisdom yields patience; it is to one’s glory to overlook an offense.”
Proverbs 19:12“12 A king’s rage is like the roar of a lion, but his favor is like dew on the grass.”
Proverbs 19:13“13 A foolish child is a father’s ruin, and a quarrelsome wife is like the constant dripping of a leaky roof.”
Proverbs 19:14“14 Houses and wealth are inherited from parents, but a prudent wife is from the Lord.”
Proverbs 19:15“15 Laziness brings on deep sleep, and the shiftless go hungry.”
Proverbs 19:16“16 Whoever keeps commandments keeps their life, but whoever shows contempt for their ways will die.”
Proverbs 19:17“17 Whoever is kind to the poor lends to the Lord, and he will reward them for what they have done.”
Proverbs 19:18“18 Discipline your children, for in that there is hope; do not be a willing party to their death.”
Proverbs 19:19“19 A hot-tempered person must pay the penalty; rescue them, and you will have to do it again.”
Proverbs 19:20“20 Listen to advice and accept discipline, and at the end you will be counted among the wise.”
Proverbs 19:21“21 Many are the plans in a person’s heart, but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails.”
Proverbs 19:22“22 What a person desires is unfailing love[b]; better to be poor than a liar.”
Proverbs 19:23“23 The fear of the Lord leads to life; then one rests content, untouched by trouble.”
Proverbs 19:24“24 A sluggard buries his hand in the dish; he will not even bring it back to his mouth!”
Proverbs 19:25“25 Flog a mocker, and the simple will learn prudence; rebuke the discerning, and they will gain knowledge.”
Proverbs 19:26“26 Whoever robs their father and drives out their mother is a child who brings shame and disgrace.”
Proverbs 19:27“27 Stop listening to instruction, my son, and you will stray from the words of knowledge.”
Proverbs 19:28“28 A corrupt witness mocks at justice, and the mouth of the wicked gulps down evil.”
Proverbs 19:29“29 Penalties are prepared for mockers, and beatings for the backs of fools.”
Scripture quotations taken from The Holy Bible, New International Version® (NIV®). Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.