Amplified Bible
Proverbs 26:19
19So is the man who deceives his neighbor (acquaintance, friend) And then says, “Was I not joking?”
Proverbs 26:19 in other versions
- King James Version (KJV)So is the man that deceiveth his neighbour, and saith, Am not I in sport?
- New International Version (NIV)is one who deceives their neighbor and says, “I was only joking!”
- English Standard Version (ESV)is the man who deceives his neighbor and says, "I am only joking!"
- New King James Version (NKJV)Is the man who deceives his neighbor, And says, “I was only joking!”
Context of Proverbs 26:19
17Like one who grabs a dog by the ears [and is likely to be bitten] Is he who, passing by, stops to meddle with a dispute that is none of his business. 18Like a madman who throws Firebrands, arrows, and death, So is the man who deceives his neighbor (acquaintance, friend) And then says, “Was I not joking?” 20For lack of wood the fire goes out, And where there is no whisperer [who gossips], contention quiets down. 21Like charcoal to hot embers and wood to fire, So is a contentious man to kindle strife.
Read all of Proverbs 26Proverbs 26:19 word by word
כֵּֽן־אִ֭ישׁ רִמָּ֣ה אֶת־רֵעֵ֑הוּ וְ֝אָמַ֗ר הֲֽלֹא־מְשַׂחֵ֥ק אָֽנִי׃Read the interlinear
Words taken from the KJV.
Cross-references for Proverbs 26:19
- Proverbs 10:23Engaging in evil is like sport to the fool [who refuses wisdom and chases sin], But to a man of understanding [skillful and godly] wisdom brings joy.
- Proverbs 14:9Fools mock sin [but sin mocks the fools], But among the upright there is good will and the favor and blessing of God.
- Proverbs 15:21Foolishness is joy to him who is without heart and lacks [intelligent, common] sense, But a man of understanding walks uprightly [making his course straight].
- Ephesians 5:4Let there be no filthiness and silly talk, or coarse [obscene or vulgar] joking, because such things are not appropriate [for believers]; but instead speak of your thankfulness [to God].
- 2 Peter 2:13suffering wrong [destined for punishment] as the wages of doing wrong. They count it a delight to revel in the daytime [living luxuriously]. They are stains and blemishes [on mankind], reveling in their deceptions even as they feast with you.
Commentaries on Proverbs 26:19
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 19Am not I in sport? - How many hearts have been made sad, and how many reputations have been slain, by this kind of sport! "I designed no harm by what I said;" "It was only in jest," etc. Sportive as such persons may think their conduct to be, it is as ruinous as that of the mad man who shoots arrows, throws firebrands, and projects in all directions instruments of death, so that some are wounded, some burnt, and some slain.Read the comment
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 18-19Verses 18-19 He that sins in jest, must repent in earnest, or his sin will be his ruin.Read the comment
- Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 18-19Lies are very dangerous because they make people act on false information. Liars cannot later claim they were only joking (see Proverbs 6:16–19; 14:5, 25; 25:18).Read the comment
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 18-1918-19. Such are reckless of results.Read the comment
Topics related to Proverbs 26:19
In the dictionaries
Commentaries on Proverbs 26
- 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
- Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
- EGW Writings
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