The Prudent Wife and Discipline
Proverbs 19
This chapter observes that a man's own folly ruins his path even as his heart rages against God, and that wealth attracts many friends while poverty leaves a man abandoned even by those he had. It teaches that a sensible wife is a gift from the Lord, urges a father to discipline his son while there is hope, and warns that a son who dishonors his parents comes to disgrace.
About these editions
The Septuagint (LXX) in Greek, with Charles Thomson’s 1808 and Sir Lancelot Brenton’s 1851 English translations, set beside the King James Version and the Jewish Masoretic text (JPS 1917) where they align, so you can compare the Greek and the Hebrew. All public domain; choose which to show with the controls above.
Thomson 1808Septuagint
Brenton 1851Septuagint
Greek · BrentonSeptuagint
KJV 1769Masoretic
JPS 1917Masoretic
3
ThomsonTHE folly of a man destroyeth his ways; but in his heart he blameth God.
BrentonThe folly of a man spoils his ways: and he blames God in his heart.
GreekἈφροσύνη ἀνδρὸς λυμαίνεται τὰς ὁδοὺς αὐτοῦ, τὸν δὲ Θεὸν αἰτιᾶται τῇ καρδίᾳ αὐτοῦ.
KJV—
JPS—
4
ThomsonWealth maketh many friends; but a poor man is forsaken by the only friend he hath.
BrentonWealth acquires many friends; but the poor is deserted even of the friend he has.
GreekΠλοῦτος προστίθησι φίλους πολλοὺς, ὁ δὲ πτωχὸς καὶ ἀπὸ τοῦ ὑπάρχοντος φίλου λείπεται.
KJVWealth maketh many friends; but the poor is separated from his neighbour.
JPSWealth addeth many friends; But as for the poor, his friend separateth himself from him.
5
ThomsonA false witness shall not go unpunished; and he who accuseth unjustly shall not escape.
BrentonA false witness shall not be unpunished, and he that accuses unjustly shall not escape.
GreekΜάρτυς ψευδὴς οὐκ ἀτιμώρητος ἔσται, ὁ δὲ ἐγκαλῶν ἀδίκως οὐ διαφεύξεται.
KJVA false witness shall not be unpunished, and he that speaketh lies shall not escape.
JPSA false witness shall not be unpunished; And he that breatheth forth lies shall not escape.
6
ThomsonMany court the favour of kings; but everyone who is wicked is a disgrace to a man in power.
BrentonMany court the favour of kings; but every bad man becomes a reproach to another man.
GreekΠολλοὶ θεραπεύουσι πρόσωπα βασιλέων, πᾶς δὲ ὁ κακὸς γίνεται ὄνειδος ἀνδρί.
KJVMany will intreat the favour of the prince: and every man is a friend to him that giveth gifts.
JPSMany will entreat the favour of the liberal man; And every man is a friend to him that giveth gifts.
7
ThomsonEveryone who hateth a brother in distress shall be far from friendship. Good understanding will approach them who know it, and a prudent man will find it. He who doeth much evil perfecteth wickedness; and he who useth irritating words shall not be safe.
BrentonEvery one who hates his poor brother shall also be far from friendship. Good understanding will draw near to them that know it, and a sensible man will find it. He that does much harm perfects mischief; and he that uses provoking words shall not escape.
GreekΠᾶς ὃς ἀδελφὸν πτωχὸν μισεῖ, καὶ φιλίας μακρὰν ἔσται· ἔννοια ἀγαθὴ τοῖς εἰδόσιν αὐτὴν ἐγγιεῖ, ἀνὴρ δὲ φρόνιμος εὑρήσει αὐτήν· ὁ πολλὰ κακοποιῶν τελεσιουργεῖ κακίαν, ὃς δὲ ἐρεθίζει λόγους, οὐ σωθήσεται.
KJVAll 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.
JPSAll the brethren of the poor do hate him; How much more do his friends go far from him! He that pursueth words, they turn against him.
8
ThomsonHe who procureth wisdom loveth himself; and he who keepeth it shall find good things.
BrentonHe that procures wisdom loves himself; and he that keeps wisdom shall find good.
GreekὉ κτώμενος φρόνησιν ἀγαπᾷ ἑαυτὸν, ὃς δὲ φυλάσσει φρόνησιν, εὑρήσει ἀγαθά.
KJVHe that getteth wisdom loveth his own soul: he that keepeth understanding shall find good.
JPSHe that getteth wisdom loveth his own soul; He that keepeth understanding shall find good.
9
ThomsonLet not a false witness go unpunished; and let him who kindleth mischief perish by it.
BrentonA false witness shall not be unpunished; and whosoever shall kindle mischief shall perish by it.
GreekΜάρτυς ψευδὴς οὐκ ἀτιμώρητος ἔσται, ὃς δʼ ἂν ἐκκαύσῃ κακίαν, ἀπολεῖται ὑπʼ αὐτῆς.
KJVA false witness shall not be unpunished, and he that speaketh lies shall perish.
JPSA false witness shall not be unpunished; And he that breatheth forth lies shall perish.
10
ThomsonIt is not seemly for a fool to enjoy delicacies; nor for a servant to begin to domineer with haughtiness.
BrentonDelight does not suit a fool, nor is it seemly if a servant should begin to rule with haughtiness.
GreekΟὐ συμφέρει ἄφρονι τρυφὴ, καὶ ἐὰν οἰκέτης ἄρξηται μεθʼ ὕβρεως δυναστεύειν.
KJVDelight is not seemly for a fool; much less for a servant to have rule over princes.
JPSLuxury is not seemly for a fool; Much less for a servant to have rule over princes.
11
ThomsonA merciful man is slow to wrath; and his exhultation is over transgressors.
BrentonA merciful man is long-suffering; and his triumph overtakes transgressors.
GreekἘλεήμων ἀνὴρ μακροθυμεῖ, τὸ δὲ καύχημα αὐτοῦ ἐπέρχεται παρανόμοις.
KJV—
JPS—
12
ThomsonThe threat of a king is like the roaring of a lion; but his favour is like dew on the grass.
BrentonThe threatening of a king is like the roaring of a lion; but as dew on the grass, so is his favour.
GreekΒασιλέως ἀπειλὴ ὁμοία βρυγμῷ λέοντος· ὥσπερ δὲ δρόσος ἐπὶ χόρτῳ, οὕτως τὸ ἱλαρὸν αὐτοῦ.
KJVThe king’s wrath is as the roaring of a lion; but his favour is as dew upon the grass.
JPSThe king’s wrath is as the roaring of a lion; But his favour is as dew upon the grass.
13
ThomsonA foolish son is a shame to a father. Vows for the hire of a harlot are not pure.
BrentonA foolish son is a disgrace to his father: vows paid out of the hire of a harlot are not pure.
GreekΑἰσχύνη πατρὶ υἱὸς ἄφρων, οὐχ ἁγναὶ εὐχαὶ ἀπὸ μισθώματος ἑταίρας.
KJVA foolish son is the calamity of his father: and the contentions of a wife are a continual dropping.
JPSA foolish son is the calamity of his father; And the contentions of a wife are a continual dropping.
14
ThomsonFathers bequeath houses and wealth to children; but the Lord accommodateth a wife to a husband.
BrentonFathers divide house and substance to their children: but a wife is suited to a man by the Lord.
GreekΟἶκον καὶ ὕπαρξιν μερίζουσι πατέρες παισὶ, παρὰ δὲ Κυρίου ἁρμόζεται γυνὴ ἀνδρί.
KJVHouse and riches are the inheritance of fathers: and a prudent wife is from the LORD.
JPSHouse and riches are the inheritance of fathers; But a prudent wife is from the LORD.
15
Thomson—
BrentonCowardice possesses the effeminate man; and the soul of the sluggard shall hunger.
GreekΔειλία κατέχει ἀνδρόγυνον, ψυχὴ δὲ ἀεργοῦ πεινάσει.
KJV—
JPS—
16
ThomsonHe who keepeth a command preserveth his soul; but he who despiseth his own ways shall perish.
BrentonHe that keeps the commandment keeps his own soul; but he that despises his ways shall perish.
GreekὋς φυλάσσει ἐντολὴν, τηρεῖ τὴν ἑαυτοῦ ψυχήν· ὁ δὲ καταφρονῶν τῶν ἑαυτοῦ ὁδῶν, ἀπολεῖται.
KJVHe that keepeth the commandment keepeth his own soul; but he that despiseth his ways shall die.
JPSHe that keepeth the commandment keepeth his soul; But he that despiseth His ways shall die.
17
ThomsonHe who is kind to the poor lendeth to God; and according to his gift he will repay him.
BrentonHe that has pity on the poor lends to the Lord; and he will recompense to him according to his gift.
GreekΔανείζει Θεῷ ὁ ἐλεῶν πτωχὸν, κατὰ δὲ τὸ δόμα αὐτοῦ ἀνταποδώσει αὐτῷ.
KJVHe that hath pity upon the poor lendeth unto the LORD; and that which he hath given will he pay him again.
JPS—
18
ThomsonChasten thy son, for thus he will be hopeful; but be not in thy soul transported to haughtiness.
BrentonChasten thy son, for so he shall be hopeful; and be not exalted in thy soul to haughtiness.
GreekΠαίδευε υἱόν σου, οὕτως γὰρ ἔσται εὔελπις, εἰς δὲ ὕβριν μὴ ἐπαίρου τῇ ψυχῇ σου.
KJVChasten thy son while there is hope, and let not thy soul spare for his crying.
JPSChasten thy son, for there is hope; But set not thy heart on his destruction. .
19
ThomsonLet a malicious man be fined high; but if he take away life, let him forfeit his own.
BrentonA malicious man shall be severely punished, and if he commit injury, he shall also lose his life.
GreekΚακόφρων ἀνὴρ πολλὰ ζημιωθήσεται· ἐὰν δὲ λοιμεύηται, καὶ τὴν ψυχὴν αὐτοῦ προσθήσει.
KJV—
JPS—
20
ThomsonHear my son, the instruction of thy father that thou mayst be wise in thy latter days.
BrentonHear, son, the instruction of thy father, that thou mayest be wise at thy latter end.
GreekἌκουε, υἱὲ, παιδείαν πατρός σου, ἵνα σοφὸς γένῃ ἐπʼ ἐσχάτων σου.
KJVHear counsel, and receive instruction, that thou mayest be wise in thy latter end.
JPSHear counsel, and receive instruction, That thou mayest be wise in thy latter end.
21
ThomsonThere are many thoughts in a man’s heart; but the counsel of the Lord shall endure forever.
BrentonThere are many thoughts in a man's heart; but the counsel of the Lord abides for ever.
GreekΠολλοὶ λογισμοὶ ἐν καρδίᾳ ἀνδρὸς, ἡ δὲ βουλὴ τοῦ Κυρίου εἰς τὸν αἰῶνα μένει.
KJVThere are many devices in a man’s heart; nevertheless the counsel of the LORD, that shall stand.
JPSThere are many devices in a man’s heart; But the counsel of the LORD, that shall stand.
22
ThomsonBeneficence is a crop for a man: and a poor just man is better than a rich liar.
BrentonMercy is a fruit to a man: and a poor man is better than a rich liar.
GreekΚαρπὸς ἀνδρὶ ἐλεημοσύνη, κρείσσων δὲ πτωχὸς δίκαιος ἢ πλούσιος ψευδής.
KJVThe desire of a man is his kindness: and a poor man is better than a liar.
JPSThe lust of a man is his shame; And a poor man is better than a liar.
23
ThomsonThe fear of the Lord conduceth to a man’s life: but he who is fearless will lodge in places where knowledge doth not watch.
BrentonThe fear of the Lord is life to a man: and he shall lodge without fear in places where knowledge is not seen.
GreekΦόβος Κυρίου εἰς ζωὴν ἀνδρὶ· ὁ δὲ ἄφοβος αὐλισθήσεται ἐν τόποις οὗ οὐκ ἐπισκοπεῖται γνῶσις.
KJVThe fear of the LORD tendeth to life: and he that hath it shall abide satisfied; he shall not be visited with evil.
JPSThe fear of the LORD tendeth to life; And he that hath it shall abide satisfied, He shall not be visited with evil.
24
ThomsonHe who hideth his hands in his bosom unjustly; should not bring them out for his mouth.
BrentonHe that unjustly hides his hands in his bosom, will not even bring them up to his mouth.
GreekὉ ἐγκρύπτων εἰς τὸν κόλπον αὐτοῦ χεῖρας ἀδίκως, οὐδὲ τῷ στόματι οὐ μὴ προσενείκῃ αὐτάς.
KJVA slothful man hideth his hand in his bosom, and will not so much as bring it to his mouth again.
JPS—
25
ThomsonWhen a criminal is scourged, a simpleton [merely] becometh more wary: but if thou rebukest a wise man, he will call to mind discernment.
BrentonWhen a pestilent character is scourged, a simple man is made wiser: and if thou reprove a wise man, he will understand discretion.
GreekΛοιμοῦ μαστιγουμένου, ἄφρων πανουργότερος γίνεται· ἐὰν δὲ ἐλέγχῃς ἄνδρα φρόνιμον, νοήσει αἴσθησιν.
KJVSmite a scorner, and the simple will beware: and reprove one that hath understanding, and he will understand knowledge.
JPS—
26
ThomsonHe who bringeth dishonour on a father and causeth his mother to flee shall be exposed to shame and shall be reproached.
BrentonHe that dishonours his father, and drives away his mother, shall be disgraced and shall be exposed to reproach.
GreekὉ ἀτιμάζων πατέρα καὶ ἀπωθούμενος μητέρα αὐτοῦ, καταισχυνθήσεται καὶ ἐπονείδιστος ἔσται.
KJVHe that wasteth his father, and chaseth away his mother, is a son that causeth shame, and bringeth reproach.
JPSA son that dealeth shamefully and reproachfully Will despoil his father, and chase away his mother.
27
ThomsonA son who ceaseth to keep the instruction of a father will meditate on evil sayings.
BrentonA son who ceases to attend to the instruction of a father will cherish evil designs.
GreekΥἱὸς ἀπολειπόμενος φυλάξαι παιδείαν πατρὸς, μελετήσει ῥήσεις κακάς.
KJV—
JPS—
28
ThomsonHe who is surety for a foolish son, shall rail at the statute; but the mouth of the wicked shall swallow decisions.
BrentonHe that becomes surety for a foolish child will despise the ordinance: and the mouth of ungodly men shall drink down judgments.
GreekὉ ἐγγυώμενος παῖδα ἄφρονα, καθυβρίσει δικαίωμα· στόμα δὲ ἀσεβῶν καταπίεται κρίσεις.
KJV—
JPS—
29
ThomsonRods are prepared for the profligate: and punishments in like manner for fools.
BrentonScourges are preparing for the intemperate, and punishments likewise for fools.
GreekἙτοιμάζονται ἀκολάστοις μάστιγες, καὶ τιμωρίαι ὁμοίως ἄφροσιν.
KJV—
JPS—