Proverbs 19
Big idea: Poverty is looked at more closely here than almost anywhere else in the collection, and not sentimentally: the poor man is shunned by his own relatives, chases friends who are already gone, and is better off than a liar anyway. Set into that is the line that reframes the whole subject — giving to the poor is a loan, and Yahweh is the borrower. The other recurring note is that a man's plans are not the deciding factor. The couplets are independent.
Chapter 19 is a run that looks hard at poverty and at temper. Chapter 20 opens the next stretch of the same collection, with wine as a mocker and honest weights in the market.
19:1–14 — He who has pity on the poor lends to Yahweh
Fourteen couplets, and four of them describe what poverty does to a man's relationships — which is a subject most ancient wisdom simply does not treat. Verse 7 is unusually painful and unusually honest. Around it sit two lines about temper that name overlooking an offence as a glory rather than a concession.
1 Better is the poor who walks in his integrity than he who is perverse in his lips and is a fool. 2 It isn’t good to have zeal without knowledge, nor to be hasty with one’s feet and miss the way. 3 The foolishness of man subverts his way; his heart rages against Yahweh. 4 Wealth adds many friends, but the poor is separated from his friend. 5 A false witness shall not be unpunished. He who pours out lies shall not go free. 6 Many will entreat the favor of a ruler, and everyone is a friend to a man who gives gifts. 7 All the relatives of the poor shun him; how much more do his friends avoid him! He pursues them with pleas, but they are gone. 8 He who gets wisdom loves his own soul. He who keeps understanding shall find good. 9 A false witness shall not be unpunished. He who utters lies shall perish. 10 Delicate living is not appropriate for a fool, much less for a servant to have rule over princes. 11 The discretion of a man makes him slow to anger. It is his glory to overlook an offense. 12 The king’s wrath is like the roaring of a lion, but his favor is like dew on the grass. 13 A foolish son is the calamity of his father. A wife’s quarrels are a continual dripping. 14 House and riches are an inheritance from fathers, but a prudent wife is from Yahweh.
19:15–29 — Yahweh's counsel will prevail
Fifteen couplets containing the verse that underwrites the book's entire ethic of generosity — pity on the poor is a LOAN, with God as the borrower — and the verse that limits its ethic of rescue: pull a hot-tempered man out once and you will be doing it again. Between them sits the collection's clearest word on planning, and the sluggard at his most absurd.
15 Slothfulness casts into a deep sleep. The idle soul shall suffer hunger. 16 He who keeps the commandment keeps his soul, but he who is contemptuous in his ways shall die. 17 He who has pity on the poor lends to Yahweh; he will reward him. 18 Discipline your son, for there is hope; don’t be a willing party to his death. 19 A hot-tempered man must pay the penalty, for if you rescue him, you must do it again. 20 Listen to counsel and receive instruction, that you may be wise in your latter end. 21 There are many plans in a man’s heart, but Yahweh’s counsel will prevail. 22 That which makes a man to be desired is his kindness. A poor man is better than a liar. 23 The fear of Yahweh leads to life, then contentment; he rests and will not be touched by trouble. 24 The sluggard buries his hand in the dish; he will not so much as bring it to his mouth again. 25 Flog a scoffer, and the simple will learn prudence; rebuke one who has understanding, and he will gain knowledge. 26 He who robs his father and drives away his mother is a son who causes shame and brings reproach. 27 If you stop listening to instruction, my son, you will stray from the words of knowledge. 28 A corrupt witness mocks justice, and the mouth of the wicked gulps down iniquity. 29 Penalties are prepared for scoffers, and beatings for the backs of fools.
Scripture text: World English Bible (public domain).