English Standard Version
Proverbs 15:19
19The way of a sluggard is like a hedge of thorns, but the path of the upright is a level 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.
- 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.
- New Living Translation (NLT)A lazy person’s way is blocked with briers, but the path of the upright is an open highway.
Context of Proverbs 15:19
17Better is a dinner of herbs where love is than a fattened ox and hatred with it. 18A hot-tempered man stirs up strife, but he who is slow to anger quiets contention. The way of a sluggard is like a hedge of thorns, but the path of the upright is a level highway. 20A wise son makes a glad father, but a foolish man despises his mother. 21Folly is a joy to him who lacks sense, but a man of understanding walks straight ahead.
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 crooked; whoever guards his soul will keep far from them.
- Proverbs 26:13The sluggard says, "There is a lion in the road! There is a lion in the streets!"
- Numbers 14:1Then all the congregation raised a loud cry, and the people wept that night.
- Proverbs 3:6In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.
- Proverbs 8:9They are all straight to him who understands, and right to those who find knowledge.
- Psalms 5:8Lead me, O Lord, in your righteousness because of my enemies; make your way straight 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.
- Isaiah 30:21And your ears shall hear a word behind you, saying, "This is the way, walk in it," when you turn to the right or when you turn to the left.
- Isaiah 35:8And a highway shall be there, and it shall be called the Way of Holiness; the unclean shall not pass over it. It shall belong to those who walk on the way; even if they are fools, they shall not go astray.
- Isaiah 57:14And it shall be said, "Build up, build up, prepare the way, remove every obstruction from my people's way."
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
English Standard Version — © 2001 Crossway Bibles
Commentaries