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Christianity

Proverbs 19Lending to the LORD

Summary

Proverbs 19 opens by preferring a poor person of integrity to a rich fool. Wealth attracts many friends while the poor are deserted, false witnesses will be punished, and a man's discretion makes him slow to anger, so overlooking an offense is his glory. A quarrelsome wife is like constant dripping, but a prudent wife is from the LORD. Its central promise is that kindness to the poor is a loan to God that he will repay. Human plans are many, but the LORD's purpose stands.

Key verse

“He that hath pity upon the poor lendeth unto the LORD; and that which he hath given will he pay him again.”

Proverbs 19:17

Themes

  • Care for the Poor
  • Integrity
  • Patience
  • God's Purpose

Text

1

Better is the poor that walketh in his integrity, than he that is perverse in his lips, and is a fool.

2

Also, that the soul be without knowledge, it is not good; and he that hasteth with his feet sinneth.

3

The foolishness of man perverteth his way: and his heart fretteth against the LORD.

4

Wealth maketh many friends; but the poor is separated from his neighbour.

5

A false witness shall not be unpunished, and he that speaketh lies shall not escape.

6

Many will intreat the favour of the prince: and every man is a friend to him that giveth gifts.

7

All the brethren of the poor do hate him: how much more do his friends go far from him? he pursueth them with words, yet they are wanting to him.

8

He that getteth wisdom loveth his own soul: he that keepeth understanding shall find good.

9

A false witness shall not be unpunished, and he that speaketh lies shall perish.

10

Delight is not seemly for a fool; much less for a servant to have rule over princes.

11

The discretion of a man deferreth his anger; and it is his glory to pass over a transgression.

12

The king’s wrath is as the roaring of a lion; but his favour is as dew upon the grass.

13

A foolish son is the calamity of his father: and the contentions of a wife are a continual dropping.

14

House and riches are the inheritance of fathers: and a prudent wife is from the LORD.

15

Slothfulness casteth into a deep sleep; and an idle soul shall suffer hunger.

16

He that keepeth the commandment keepeth his own soul; but he that despiseth his ways shall die.

17

He that hath pity upon the poor lendeth unto the LORD; and that which he hath given will he pay him again.

18

Chasten thy son while there is hope, and let not thy soul spare for his crying.

19

A man of great wrath shall suffer punishment: for if thou deliver him, yet thou must do it again.

20

Hear counsel, and receive instruction, that thou mayest be wise in thy latter end.

21

There are many devices in a man’s heart; nevertheless the counsel of the LORD, that shall stand.

22

The desire of a man is his kindness: and a poor man is better than a liar.

23

The fear of the LORD tendeth to life: and he that hath it shall abide satisfied; he shall not be visited with evil.

24

A slothful man hideth his hand in his bosom, and will not so much as bring it to his mouth again.

25

Smite a scorner, and the simple will beware: and reprove one that hath understanding, and he will understand knowledge.

26

He that wasteth his father, and chaseth away his mother, is a son that causeth shame, and bringeth reproach.

27

Cease, my son, to hear the instruction that causeth to err from the words of knowledge.

28

An ungodly witness scorneth judgment: and the mouth of the wicked devoureth iniquity.

29

Judgments are prepared for scorners, and stripes for the back of fools.

Text: King James Version (1611/1769), public domain.

Across traditions

  • Islam

    Surah Al-Baqarah (2): A Goodly Loan

    Quran 2:245 asks, Who is it that will lend unto Allah a goodly loan, so that He may give it increase manifold? Like Proverbs 19:17, it pictures giving to those in need as a loan to God that he repays.

  • Christianity

    Matthew 25: The Least of These

    In Matthew 25:31 to 46 Jesus says that whatever is done for the hungry, the stranger, the sick and the prisoner is done for him, a close parallel to the idea that kindness to the poor reaches God.

Questions about Proverbs 19

What does Proverbs 19:17 mean?

It says that whoever has pity on the poor lends to the LORD, and God will repay what was given. Charity is presented as a transaction with God himself.

What does Proverbs 19:21 say about plans?

There are many devices in a man's heart, but the counsel of the LORD shall stand. It encourages planning held with humility before God's purposes.