New King James Version
Proverbs 26:19
19Is the man who deceives his neighbor, And says, “I was 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!”
- English Standard Version (ESV)is the man who deceives his neighbor and says, "I am 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
17He who passes by and meddles in a quarrel not his own Is like one who takes a dog by the ears. 18Like a madman who throws firebrands, arrows, and death, Is the man who deceives his neighbor, And says, “I was only joking!” 20Where there is no wood, the fire goes out; And where there is no talebearer, strife ceases. 21As charcoal is to burning coals, 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 10:23To do evil is like sport to a fool, But a man of understanding has wisdom.
- Proverbs 14:9Fools mock at sin, But among the upright there is favor.
- Proverbs 15:21Folly is joy to him who is destitute of discernment, But a man of understanding walks uprightly.
- Ephesians 5:4neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor coarse jesting, which are not fitting, but rather giving of thanks.
- 2 Peter 2:13and will receive the wages of unrighteousness, as those who count it pleasure to carouse in the daytime. They are spots and blemishes, carousing in their own 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
New King James Version — © 1982 Thomas Nelson, Inc
Commentaries