New Living Translation
Proverbs 19:1
1Better to be poor and honest than to be dishonest and a fool.
Proverbs 19:1 in other versions
- King James Version (KJV)Better is the poor that walketh in his integrity, than he that is perverse in his lips, and is a fool.
- New International Version (NIV)Better the poor whose walk is blameless than a fool whose lips are perverse.
- English Standard Version (ESV)Better is a poor person who walks in his integrity than one who is crooked in speech and is a fool.
- New King James Version (NKJV)Better is the poor who walks in his integrity Than one who is perverse in his lips, and is a fool.
Context of Proverbs 19:1
Better to be poor and honest than to be dishonest and a fool. 2Enthusiasm without knowledge is no good; haste makes mistakes. 3People ruin their lives by their own foolishness and then are angry at the Lord.
Read all of Proverbs 19Proverbs 19:1 word by word
טֽוֹב־רָ֭שׁ הוֹלֵ֣ךְ בְּתֻמּ֑וֹ מֵעִקֵּ֥שׁ שְׂ֝פָתָ֗יו וְה֣וּא כְסִֽיל׃Read the interlinear
Words taken from the KJV.
Cross-references for Proverbs 19:1
- 1 Samuel 25:17You need to know this and figure out what to do, for there is going to be trouble for our master and his whole family. He’s so ill-tempered that no one can even talk to him!”
- Isaiah 59:3Your hands are the hands of murderers, and your fingers are filthy with sin. Your lips are full of lies, and your mouth spews corruption.
- Matthew 12:31“So I tell you, every sin and blasphemy can be forgiven—except blasphemy against the Holy Spirit, which will never be forgiven.
Commentaries on Proverbs 19:1
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 1Better is the poor - The upright poor man is always to be preferred to the rich or self-sufficient fool.Read the comment
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 1The “perverse” man is the rich fool, as contrasted with the poor man who is upright. Proverbs 19:1-2 are missing in the Septuagint.Read the comment
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 1Verse 1 A poor man who fears God, is more honourable and happy, than a man without wisdom and grace, however rich or advanced in rank.Read the comment
- Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 1It is better to be honest, even if poor, because wealth from dishonesty does not last long (Proverbs 10:2) and will not protect from harm (11:4; see also 15:16–17; 16:8, 16; 17:1; 22:1; 28:6).Read the comment
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 1-29Pr 19:1-29. 1. (Compare Pr 28:6). "Rich" for fool here. Integrity is better than riches (Pr 15:16, 17; 16:8).Read the comment
Topics related to Proverbs 19:1
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
New Living Translation — © 1996, 2004, 2015 Tyndale House Foundation
Commentaries