Amplified Bible
Proverbs 15:19
19The way of the lazy is like a hedge of thorns [it pricks, lacerates, and entangles him], But the way [of life] of the upright is smooth and open like a highway.
Proverbs 15:19 in other versions
- King James Version (KJV)The way of the slothful man is as an hedge of thorns: but the way of the righteous is made plain.
- New International Version (NIV)The way of the sluggard is blocked with thorns, but the path of the upright is a highway.
- English Standard Version (ESV)The way of a sluggard is like a hedge of thorns, but the path of the upright is a level highway.
- New King James Version (NKJV)The way of the lazy man is like a hedge of thorns, But the way of the upright is a highway.
Context of Proverbs 15:19
17Better is a dinner of vegetables and herbs where love is present Than a fattened ox served with hatred. 18A hot-tempered man stirs up strife, But he who is slow to anger and patient calms disputes. The way of the lazy is like a hedge of thorns [it pricks, lacerates, and entangles him], But the way [of life] of the upright is smooth and open like a highway. 20A wise son makes a father glad, But a foolish man despises his mother. 21Foolishness is joy to him who is without heart and lacks [intelligent, common] sense, But a man of understanding walks uprightly [making his course straight].
Read all of Proverbs 15Proverbs 15:19 word by word
דֶּ֣רֶךְ עָ֭צֵל כִּמְשֻׂ֣כַת חָ֑דֶק וְאֹ֖רַח יְשָׁרִ֣ים סְלֻלָֽה׃Read the interlinear
Words taken from the KJV.
Cross-references for Proverbs 15:19
- Proverbs 22:5Thorns and snares are in the way of the obstinate [for their lack of honor and their wrong-doing traps them]; He who guards himself [with godly wisdom] will be far from them and avoid the consequences they suffer.
- Proverbs 26:13The lazy person [who is self-indulgent and relies on lame excuses] says, “There is a lion in the road! A lion is in the open square [and if I go outside to work I will be killed]!”
- Numbers 14:1Then all the congregation [of Israel] raised their voices and cried out, and the people wept that night.
- Proverbs 3:6In all your ways know and acknowledge and recognize Him, And He will make your paths straight and smooth [removing obstacles that block your way].
- Proverbs 8:9They are all straightforward to him who understands [with an open and willing mind], And right to those who find knowledge and live by it.
- Psalms 5:8O Lord, lead me in Your righteousness because of my enemies; Make Your way straight (direct, right) before me.
- Psalms 25:8Good and upright is the Lord; Therefore He instructs sinners in the way.
- Psalms 27:11Teach me Your way, O Lord, And lead me on a level path Because of my enemies [who lie in wait].
- Isaiah 30:21Your ears will hear a word behind you, “This is the way, walk in it,” whenever you turn to the right or to the left.
- Isaiah 35:8A highway will be there, and a roadway; And it will be called the Holy Way. The unclean will not travel on it, But it will be for those who walk on the way [the redeemed]; And fools will not wander on it.
- Isaiah 57:14And it will be said, “Build up, build up, clear the way. Remove the stumbling block out of the way [of the spiritual return] of My people.”
Commentaries on Proverbs 15:19
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 19The way of the slothful man is as a hedge of thorns - Because he is slothful, he imagines ten thousand difficulties in the way which cannot be surmounted; but they are all the creatures of his own imagination, and that imagination is formed by his sloth.Read the comment
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 19The slothful goes on his journey, and for him the path is thick set with thorns, briars, fences, through which he cannot force his way. For the “righteous” (better, upright), the same path is as the broad raised causeway of the king‘s highway. Compare Isaiah 40:3.Read the comment
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 19Verse 19 Those who have no heart to their work, pretend that they cannot do their work without hardship and danger. And thus many live always in doubt about their state, because always in neglect of some duty.Read the comment
- Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 19A lazy person can find many excuses, like a path blocked with briers, to avoid work (see Proverbs 10:4, 26; 12:11, 14; 13:4; 14:4).Read the comment
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 1919. The difficulties of the slothful result from want of energy; the righteous find a plain [and open] way--literally, "a highway," by diligence (1Sa 10:7; Psa 1:3).Read the comment
Topics related to Proverbs 15:19
In the dictionaries
Commentaries on Proverbs 15
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
- Tyndale Open Study Notes
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
- Rashi on Tanakh
- Keil & Delitzsch Commentary
- John Wesley’s Notes
- Darby Translation Notes
- Geneva Bible Translation Notes
- Kingcomments
- Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
- Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
- Scofield Reference Notes, 1917 Edition
- Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
- EGW Writings
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