New English Translation
Proverbs 15:19
19The way of the sluggard is like a hedge of thorns, but the path of the upright is like a 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.
- English Standard Version (ESV)The way of a sluggard is like a hedge of thorns, but the path of the upright is a level 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.
Context of Proverbs 15:19
17Better a meal of vegetables where there is love than a fattened ox where there is hatred. 18A quick-tempered person stirs up dissension, but one who is slow to anger calms a quarrel. The way of the sluggard is like a hedge of thorns, but the path of the upright is like a highway. 20A wise child brings joy to his father, but a foolish person despises his mother. 21Folly is a joy to one who lacks sense, but one who has understanding follows an upright course.
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 path of the perverse, but the one who guards himself keeps far from them.
- Proverbs 26:13The sluggard says, “There is a lion in the road! A lion in the streets!”
- Numbers 14:1Then all the community raised a loud cry, and the people wept that night.
- Proverbs 3:6Acknowledge him in all your ways, and he will make your paths straight.
- Proverbs 8:9All of them are clear to the discerning and upright to those who find knowledge.
- Psalms 5:8Lord, lead me in your righteousness because of those who wait to ambush me, remove the obstacles in the way in which you are guiding me!
- Psalms 25:8The Lord is both kind and fair; that is why he teaches sinners the right way to live.
- Psalms 27:11Teach me how you want me to live; lead me along a level path because of those who wait to ambush me!
- Isaiah 30:21You will hear a word spoken behind you, saying, “This is the correct way, walk in it,” whether you are heading to the right or the left.
- Isaiah 35:8A thoroughfare will be there – it will be called the Way of Holiness. The unclean will not travel on it; it is reserved for those authorized to use it – fools will not stray into it.
- Isaiah 57:14He says, “Build it! Build it! Clear a way! Remove all the obstacles out of the way of my people!”
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
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