Amplified Bible
Proverbs 19:16
16He who keeps and obeys the commandment [of the Lord] keeps (guards) his own life, But he who is careless of his ways and conduct will die.
Proverbs 19:16 in other versions
- King James Version (KJV)He that keepeth the commandment keepeth his own soul; but he that despiseth his ways shall die.
- New International Version (NIV)Whoever keeps commandments keeps their life, but whoever shows contempt for their ways will die.
- English Standard Version (ESV)Whoever keeps the commandment keeps his life; he who despises his ways will die.
- New King James Version (NKJV)He who keeps the commandment keeps his soul, But he who is careless of his ways will die.
Context of Proverbs 19:16
14House and wealth are the inheritance from fathers, But a wise, understanding, and sensible wife is [a gift and blessing] from the Lord. 15Laziness casts one into a deep sleep [unmindful of lost opportunity], And the idle person will suffer hunger. He who keeps and obeys the commandment [of the Lord] keeps (guards) his own life, But he who is careless of his ways and conduct will die. 17He who is gracious and lends a hand to the poor lends to the Lord, And the Lord will repay him for his good deed. 18Discipline and teach your son while there is hope, And do not [indulge your anger or resentment by imposing inappropriate punishment nor] desire his destruction.
Read all of Proverbs 19Proverbs 19:16 word by word
שֹׁמֵ֣ר מִ֭צְוָה שֹׁמֵ֣ר נַפְשׁ֑וֹ בּוֹזֵ֖ה דְרָכָ֣יו יָמֽוּת׃Read the interlinear
Words taken from the KJV.
Cross-references for Proverbs 19:16
- Proverbs 3:1My son, do not forget my teaching, But let your heart keep my commandments;
- Proverbs 29:18Where there is no vision [no revelation of God and His word], the people are unrestrained; But happy and blessed is he who keeps the law [of God].
- Psalms 103:18To those who honor and keep His covenant, And remember to do His commandments [imprinting His word on their hearts].
- Ecclesiastes 8:5Whoever keeps and observes a royal command will experience neither trouble nor misery; For a wise heart will know the proper time and [appropriate] procedure.
- Ecclesiastes 12:13When all has been heard, the end of the matter is: fear God [worship Him with awe-filled reverence, knowing that He is almighty God] and keep His commandments, for this applies to every person.
- Jeremiah 7:23But this thing I did command them: ‘Listen to and obey My voice, and I will be your God, and you shall be My people; and you will walk in all the way which I command you, so that it may be well with you.’
- Luke 10:28Jesus said to him, “You have answered correctly; do this habitually and you will live.”
- John 14:15“If you [really] love Me, you will keep and obey My commandments.
- John 15:10If you keep My commandments and obey My teaching, you will remain in My love, just as I have kept My Father’s commandments and remain in His love.
- 1 Corinthians 7:19Circumcision is nothing, and uncircumcision is nothing, but what matters is keeping the commandments of God.
- 1 John 2:3And this is how we know [daily, by experience] that we have come to know Him [to understand Him and be more deeply acquainted with Him]: if we habitually keep [focused on His precepts and obey] His commandments (teachings).
- 1 John 3:22and we receive from Him whatever we ask because we [carefully and consistently] keep His commandments and do the things that are pleasing in His sight [habitually seeking to follow His plan for us].
- 1 John 5:3For the [true] love of God is this: that we habitually keep His commandments and remain focused on His precepts. And His commandments and His precepts are not difficult [to obey].
- Revelation 22:14Blessed (happy, prosperous, to be admired) are those who wash their robes [in the blood of Christ by believing and trusting in Him—the righteous who do His commandments], so that they may have the right to the tree of life, and may enter by the gates into the city.
- Proverbs 16:17The highway of the upright turns away and departs from evil; He who guards his way protects his life (soul).
- Proverbs 21:23He who guards his mouth and his tongue Guards himself from troubles.
Commentaries on Proverbs 19:16
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 16Keepeth his own soul - i. e., His life in the truest and highest sense.Read the comment
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 16Verse 16 If we keep God's word, God's word will keep us from every thing really hurtful. We abuse the doctrine of free grace, if we think that it does away the necessity and advantage of obedience. Those that live at random must die. This truth is clearly taught in words enough to alarm the stoutest sinner.Read the comment
- Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 16Following God's commandments, the law of Moses, keeps a person safe (see Deuteronomy 28:15–68).Read the comment
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 1616. (Compare Pr 10:17; 13:13). despiseth ... ways--opposed to keeping or observing, neglects (Pr 16:17) (as unworthy of regard) his moral conduct.Read the comment
Topics related to Proverbs 19:16
In the dictionaries
Commentaries on Proverbs 19
- 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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