FocusWise and foolish conduct
Connection to the wholeThe shorter sayings teach through contrasts, comparisons, and observations across the everyday life of the community.
interpretation Proverbs 19:23
KJVThe fear of the LORD tendeth to life: and he that hath it shall abide satisfied; he shall not be visited with evil.
Read it in context
The Man of Integrity
Start reading at Proverbs 19:1 (Proverbs 19:1 to Proverbs 19:29).
An editorial reading unit, not a claim that the surrounding context stops here. Book background below applies to the shared passage; individual verses may need more specific explanation.
The shorter sayings teach through contrasts, comparisons, and observations across the everyday life of the community.
- 19:1 Better is the poor that walketh in his integrity, than he that is perverse in his lips, and is a fool.
- 19:2 Also, that the soul be without knowledge, it is not good; and he that hasteth with his feet sinneth.
- 19:3 The foolishness of man perverteth his way: and his heart fretteth against the LORD.
- 19:4 Wealth maketh many friends; but the poor is separated from his neighbour.
- 19:5 A false witness shall not be unpunished, and he that speaketh lies shall not escape.
- 19:6 Many will intreat the favour of the prince: and every man is a friend to him that giveth gifts.
- 19:7 All the brethren of the poor do hate him: how much more do his friends go far from him? he pursueth them with words, yet they are wanting to him.
- 19:8 He that getteth wisdom loveth his own soul: he that keepeth understanding shall find good.
- 19:9 A false witness shall not be unpunished, and he that speaketh lies shall perish.
- 19:10 Delight is not seemly for a fool; much less for a servant to have rule over princes.
- 19:11 The discretion of a man deferreth his anger; and it is his glory to pass over a transgression.
- 19:12 The king's wrath is as the roaring of a lion; but his favour is as dew upon the grass.
- 19:13 A foolish son is the calamity of his father: and the contentions of a wife are a continual dropping.
- 19:14 House and riches are the inheritance of fathers: and a prudent wife is from the LORD.
- 19:15 Slothfulness casteth into a deep sleep; and an idle soul shall suffer hunger.
- 19:16 He that keepeth the commandment keepeth his own soul; but he that despiseth his ways shall die.
- 19:17 He that hath pity upon the poor lendeth unto the LORD; and that which he hath given will he pay him again.
- 19:18 Chasten thy son while there is hope, and let not thy soul spare for his crying.
- 19:19 A man of great wrath shall suffer punishment: for if thou deliver him, yet thou must do it again.
- 19:20 Hear counsel, and receive instruction, that thou mayest be wise in thy latter end.
- 19:21 There are many devices in a man's heart; nevertheless the counsel of the LORD, that shall stand.
- 19:22 The desire of a man is his kindness: and a poor man is better than a liar.
- 19:23 The fear of the LORD tendeth to life: and he that hath it shall abide satisfied; he shall not be visited with evil.
- 19:24 A slothful man hideth his hand in his bosom, and will not so much as bring it to his mouth again.
- 19:25 Smite a scorner, and the simple will beware: and reprove one that hath understanding, and he will understand knowledge.
- 19:26 He that wasteth his father, and chaseth away his mother, is a son that causeth shame, and bringeth reproach.
- 19:27 Cease, my son, to hear the instruction that causeth to err from the words of knowledge.
- 19:28 An ungodly witness scorneth judgment: and the mouth of the wicked devoureth iniquity.
- 19:29 Judgments are prepared for scorners, and stripes for the back of fools.
Who
- Who wrote the book? Solomon is the principal named contributor, with additional sayings of the wise, Agur, and King Lemuel's mother's instruction. Hezekiah's men are credited with copying a collection of Solomon's proverbs. Biblical references: Proverbs 1:1; Proverbs 22:17; Proverbs 25:1; Proverbs 30:1; Proverbs 31:1. stated in the text
- Who was present or being addressed in this passage? In the surrounding chapter context (Proverbs 10:1–21:31): The sayings instruct learners in Israel's wisdom tradition. The righteous, wicked, wise, foolish, rulers, and household members are examples or subjects of the sayings, not necessarily the immediate people being addressed. stated in the text
- Who was the book written to? Learners seeking wisdom, especially the young and inexperienced, as well as wise readers seeking further understanding. The repeated son-address presents parental or teacherly instruction. Biblical references: Proverbs 1:4; Proverbs 1:5; Proverbs 1:8. stated in the text
What
- What is the topic of this reading unit? The Man of Integrity. Read Proverbs 19:1 through Proverbs 19:29 as a connected unit. interpretation
- How does it contribute to the book? The shorter sayings teach through contrasts, comparisons, and observations across the everyday life of the community. interpretation
When
- When are the events or message set? The book identifies more than one collection, including proverbs copied by Hezekiah's men. It does not give a date for the origin of every individual saying. book background
Where
- What is the book’s geographic setting? The instruction draws on household, workplace, city gate, court, and other everyday settings. Many sayings describe a general situation rather than one dated incident. book background
- Where does the context start? This passage sits in The Man of Integrity (Proverbs 19:1 to Proverbs 19:29). Start reading at Proverbs 19:1. An editorial reading unit, not a claim that the surrounding context stops here. Book background below applies to the shared passage; individual verses may need more specific explanation.
How
- How does this book connect with Jesus Christ? The New Testament identifies Christ with the wisdom of God. Relating wisdom instruction to Him is a canonical connection; the personification of wisdom should not automatically be treated as a literal description of Christ's origin. See Proverbs 25:1, 1 Corinthians 1:24, 1 Corinthians 1:30. interpretation
- How should this book guide our response? Practice truthful speech, teachability, justice, diligence, and self-control. Read proverbial generalizations with their genre in view rather than as guarantees that ignore circumstance or the book's other sayings. interpretation
Cited: Proverbs 19:1, Proverbs 19:29, Proverbs 25:1, 1 Corinthians 1:24, 1 Corinthians 1:30
Who wrote it, and how we know
Solomon, with Agur and Lemuel
Named in Scripture
What Scripture saysThe book names Solomon, and also Agur and King Lemuel, and notes that Hezekiah's men copied out further proverbs.
Proverbs 1:1Proverbs 25:1Proverbs 30:1Proverbs 31:1
Early traditionTradition credits Solomon as the principal author.
What is debatedThe book itself describes later collecting, so it reached its final form after Solomon.
Related passages
- fear Prov 10:27 Prov 14:26-27 Ps 19:9 Ps 33:18-19 Ps 34:9-11 Ps 85:9 Ps 103:17 Ps 145:18-20
- shall abide Ps 90:14 Ps 91:16 Isa 58:10-11 Matt 5:6 Phil 4:11-12 1 Tim 4:8 1 Tim 6:6-9 Heb 13:5-6
- he shall Prov 12:21 Rom 8:28 2 Tim 4:18
Cross references from CrossReferences-org (CC BY 4.0).
Macro-Structure
See how this passage fits the chapter and the book.
Macro-Structure of Proverbs 19
Proverbs identifies several collections and contributors. Its sayings teach wisdom in conduct; a general observation is not automatically an unconditional promise for every individual circumstance. Read contrasts and parallel lines together. Local headings and stanza divisions are editorial reading aids adapted from public-domain BSB headings; verse boundaries and Scripture links use the KJV. Connections describe the surrounding book movement.
Proverbs 1:1 Proverbs 10:1 Proverbs 25:1 Proverbs 30:1 Proverbs 31:1
Suggested literary divisions. Headings summarize the passage; they are not part of the biblical text.
Macro-Structure of Proverbs
Proverbs identifies several collections and contributors. Its sayings teach wisdom in conduct; a general observation is not automatically an unconditional promise for every individual circumstance. Read contrasts and parallel lines together.
Proverbs 1:1 Proverbs 10:1 Proverbs 25:1 Proverbs 30:1 Proverbs 31:1
Instruction and wisdom's call
Proverbs 1:1–9:18FocusThe fear of the LORD and the choice of a path
Connection to the wholeExtended appeals introduce the moral and relational setting in which the shorter sayings should be read.
interpretation FocusWise and foolish conduct
Connection to the wholeThe shorter sayings teach through contrasts, comparisons, and observations across the everyday life of the community.
interpretation Words of the wise
Proverbs 22:17–24:34FocusInstruction, justice, and disciplined conduct
Connection to the wholeThis collection continues the instruction through longer admonitions and observations, including further sayings of the wise.
interpretation Further proverbs of Solomon
Proverbs 25:1–29:27FocusCollected wisdom for life and rule
Connection to the wholeThe sayings identified with Hezekiah's copying activity extend the collection's instruction concerning conduct and leadership.
interpretation The words of Agur
Proverbs 30:1–33FocusHuman limits and ordered observations
Connection to the wholeAgur's words combine confession of limited understanding, prayer, and numerical sayings about the world and human conduct.
interpretation The words of Lemuel and the capable woman
Proverbs 31:1–31FocusJust rule and faithful work
Connection to the wholeThe final chapter joins instruction concerning rulers with an ordered portrait of a woman's capable and generous work.
interpretation Suggested literary divisions. Headings summarize the passage; they are not part of the biblical text.