English Standard Version
Proverbs 26:19
19is the man who deceives his neighbor and says, "I am only 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!”
- New King James Version (NKJV)Is the man who deceives his neighbor, And says, “I was only joking!”
- New Living Translation (NLT)is someone who lies to a friend and then says, “I was only joking.”
Context of Proverbs 26:19
17Whoever meddles in a quarrel not his own is like one who takes a passing dog by the ears. 18Like a madman who throws firebrands, arrows, and death is the man who deceives his neighbor and says, "I am only joking!" 20For lack of wood the fire goes out, and where there is no whisperer, quarreling ceases. 21As charcoal to hot embers and wood to fire, so is a quarrelsome man for kindling 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 10:23Doing wrong is like a joke to a fool, but wisdom is pleasure to a man of understanding.
- Proverbs 14:9Fools mock at the guilt offering, but the upright enjoy acceptance.
- Proverbs 15:21Folly is a joy to him who lacks sense, but a man of understanding walks straight ahead.
- Ephesians 5:4Let there be no filthiness nor foolish talk nor crude joking, which are out of place, but instead let there be thanksgiving.
- 2 Peter 2:13suffering wrong as the wage for their wrongdoing. They count it pleasure to revel in the daytime. They are blots and blemishes, reveling in their deceptions, while 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
English Standard Version — © 2001 Crossway Bibles
Commentaries