Old Testament Commentary - Proverbs 19

by Don R. Hender

Scriptural Text [& Editorial]	Commentary & Explanation	Footnotes ~ References ~ JST
CHAPTER 19 A prudent wife is from the Lord—He that lendeth to the poor lendeth to the Lord—A poor man is better than a liar.
1 BETTER is the ^apoor that walketh in his ^bintegrity, than he that is perverse in his lips, and is a fool. 2 Also, that the soul be without ^aknowledge, it is not good; and he that ^bhasteth with his feet sinneth. 3 The ^afoolishness of man perverteth his way: and his heart fretteth against the LORD.		1^a D&C 88:17; D&C 104:16 ^b Prov. 28:6; Alma 27:27; D&C 124:20 (15, 20) 2^a D&C 42:61; Abr. 1:2 ^b TG Haste 3^a TG Foolishness
4 Wealth maketh many ^afriends; but the poor is separated from his neighbour. 5 A false ^awitness shall not be unpunished, and he that speaketh ^blies shall not escape. 6 Many will intreat the ^afavour of the prince: and every man is a ^bfriend to him that giveth gifts.		4^a Prov. 14:20 5^a Mosiah 13:23 ^b TG Lying 6^a Prov. 29:26; Alma 47:35 ^b Matt. 5:46
7 All the brethren of the ^apoor do hate him: how much more do his friends go far from him? he pursueth them with words, yet they are wanting to him. 8 He that getteth wisdom loveth his own soul^a: he that keepeth ^aunderstanding shall find good. 9 A false witness shall not be ^aunpunished, and he that speaketh ^blies shall perish.	8^a He that getteth wisdom loveth his own soul Self love is good 'mental health'. The best 'food' for the soul is that of wisdom for it increaseth a man's intelligence. And the more intelligence that a man obtains here, the greater the advantage to that man in the realm of eternity hereafter. Thus the best thing you can do for yourself to improve yourself and your personal condition is to gain in wisdom which is the light of truth which is that which Intelligence grows and develops upon.	7^a Prov. 18:23 8^a TG Understanding 9^a TG Punishment ^b 2 Ne. 9:34
10 Delight is not seemly for a fool; much less for a ^aservant to have rule over princes. 11 The ^adiscretion of a man deferreth his ^banger; and it is his ^cglory to pass over a ^dtransgression. 12 The king's wrath is as the ^aroaring of a lion; but his favour is as dew upon the grass.		10^a Prov. 30:22 (21-22); Eccl. 10:7 (6-7) 11^a TG Rashness ^b TG Anger ^c TG Glory ^d TG Transgression 12^a Prov. 20:2
13 A foolish son is the calamity of his ^afather: and the contentions of a ^bwife are a continual ^cdropping. 14 House and riches are the inheritance of fathers: and a ^aprudent wife is from the LORD. 15 ^aSlothfulness casteth into a deep sleep; and an ^bidle soul shall suffer hunger.		13^a TG Marriage, Fatherhood ^b Prov. 21:9 ^c Prov. 27:15 14^a TG Prudence 15^a TG Laziness; TG Procrastination ^b TG Idleness
16 He that ^akeepeth the commandment keepeth his own soul; but he that despiseth his ways shall die. 17 He that hath ^apity upon the ^bpoor lendeth unto the LORD; and that which he hath given will he pay him again. 18 ^aChasten thy son while there is hope, and let not thy soul spare for his crying.		16^a Prov. 13:13; Luke 11:28; D&C 1:32 17^a TG Compassion; TG Generosity ^b Mosiah 4:16-18 18^a TG Chastening
19 A man of great ^awrath shall suffer punishment: for if thou deliver him, yet thou must do it again. 20 Hear counsel, and receive ^ainstruction, that thou mayest be wise in thy latter end. 21 There are many devices in a man's heart; nevertheless the ^acounsel of the LORD, that shall stand.		19^a Morm. 8:21 20^a TG Edification 21^a Isa. 46:10
22 The desire of a man is his ^akindness: and a poor man is better than a ^bliar. 23 The ^afear of the LORD tendeth to ^blife: and he that hath it shall abide satisfied; he shall not be visited with evil. 24 A ^aslothful man hideth his hand in his bosom, and will not so much as bring it to his mouth again.		22^a TG Kindness ^b TG Lying 23^a TG Reverence ^b Prov. 10:16; Prov. 11:19 24^a TG Laziness
25 Smite a ^ascorner, and the simple will beware: and reprove one that hath understanding, and he will understand knowledge. 26 He that wasteth his ^afather, and chaseth away his mother, is a son that causeth shame, and bringeth reproach. 27 Cease, my son, to ^ahear the instruction that causeth to err from the words of knowledge.		25^a Prov. 21:11 26^a Prov. 20:20; Mosiah 13:20 27^a 1 Ne. 8:34 (33-34); Mosiah 2:37 (33, 37)
28 An ungodly witness scorneth judgment: and the mouth of the wicked devoureth iniquity. 29 Judgments are prepared for scorners, and ^astripes for the back of fools.		29^a IE flogging; Prov. 10:13