English Standard Version
Proverbs 19:22
22What is desired in a man is steadfast love, and a poor man is better than a liar.
Proverbs 19:22 in other versions
- King James Version (KJV)The desire of a man is his kindness: and a poor man is better than a liar.
- New International Version (NIV)What a person desires is unfailing love; better to be poor than a liar.
- New King James Version (NKJV)What is desired in a man is kindness, And a poor man is better than a liar.
- New Living Translation (NLT)Loyalty makes a person attractive. It is better to be poor than dishonest.
Context of Proverbs 19:22
20Listen to advice and accept instruction, that you may gain wisdom in the future. 21Many are the plans in the mind of a man, but it is the purpose of the Lord that will stand. What is desired in a man is steadfast love, and a poor man is better than a liar. 23The fear of the Lord leads to life, and whoever has it rests satisfied; he will not be visited by harm. 24The sluggard buries his hand in the dish and will not even bring it back to his mouth.
Read all of Proverbs 19Proverbs 19:22 word by word
תַּאֲוַ֣ת אָדָ֣ם חַסְדּ֑וֹ וְטֽוֹב־רָ֝שׁ מֵאִ֥ישׁ כָּזָֽב׃Read the interlinear
Words taken from the KJV.
Cross-references for Proverbs 19:22
- 1 Chronicles 29:2So I have provided for the house of my God, so far as I was able, the gold for the things of gold, the silver for the things of silver, and the bronze for the things of bronze, the iron for the things of iron, and wood for the things of wood, besides great quantities of onyx and stones for setting, antimony, colored stones, all sorts of precious stones and marble.
- 2 Chronicles 6:8But the Lord said to David my father, 'Whereas it was in your heart to build a house for my name, you did well that it was in your heart.
- Mark 12:41And he sat down opposite the treasury and watched the people putting money into the offering box. Many rich people put in large sums.
- Mark 14:6But Jesus said, "Leave her alone. Why do you trouble her? She has done a beautiful thing to me.
- 2 Corinthians 8:2for in a severe test of affliction, their abundance of joy and their extreme poverty have overflowed in a wealth of generosity on their part.
- Proverbs 19:1Better is a poor person who walks in his integrity than one who is crooked in speech and is a fool.
- Job 6:15My brothers are treacherous as a torrent-bed, as torrential streams that pass away,
- Job 17:5He who informs against his friends to get a share of their property— the eyes of his children will fail.
- Psalms 62:9Those of low estate are but a breath; those of high estate are a delusion; in the balances they go up; they are together lighter than a breath.
Commentaries on Proverbs 19:22
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 22The “liar” is probably the man, who makes false excuses for not giving, and so is inferior to the poor man, whose “desire,” the wish to do good, is taken, in the absence of means to carry it into effect, for the act of kindness itself.Read the comment
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 22Verse 22 It is far better to have a heart to do good, and want ability for it, than to have ability for it, and want a heart to it.Read the comment
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 2222. desire--that is, to do good, indicates a kind disposition (Pr 11:23); and the poor thus affected are better than liars, who say and do not.Read the comment
Topics related to Proverbs 19:22
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
English Standard Version — © 2001 Crossway Bibles
Commentaries