Verse (Click for Chapter) New International Version Better the poor whose walk is blameless than a fool whose lips are perverse. New Living Translation Better to be poor and honest than to be dishonest and a fool. English Standard Version Better is a poor person who walks in his integrity than one who is crooked in speech and is a fool. Berean Standard Bible Better a poor man who walks with integrity than a fool whose lips are perverse. King James Bible Better is the poor that walketh in his integrity, than he that is perverse in his lips, and is a fool. New King James Version Better is the poor who walks in his integrity Than one who is perverse in his lips, and is a fool. New American Standard Bible Better is a poor person who walks in his integrity Than a person who is perverse in speech and is a fool. NASB 1995 Better is a poor man who walks in his integrity Than he who is perverse in speech and is a fool. NASB 1977 Better is a poor man who walks in his integrity Than he who is perverse in speech and is a fool. Legacy Standard Bible Better is a poor man who walks in his integrity Than he who is crooked in lips and is a fool. Amplified Bible Better is a poor man who walks in his integrity Than a [rich] man who is twisted in his speech and is a [shortsighted] fool. Christian Standard Bible Better a poor person who lives with integrity than someone who has deceitful lips and is a fool. Holman Christian Standard Bible Better a poor man who lives with integrity than someone who has deceitful lips and is a fool. American Standard Version Better is the poor that walketh in his integrity Than he that is perverse in his lips and is a fool. Contemporary English Version It's better to be poor and live right than to be a stupid liar. English Revised Version Better is the poor that walketh in his integrity than he that perverse in his lips and is a fool. GOD'S WORD® Translation Better to be a poor person who lives innocently than to be one who talks dishonestly and is a fool. Good News Translation It is better to be poor but honest than to be a lying fool. International Standard Version A poor man who walks blamelessly is better than a fool who speaks perversely. Majority Standard Bible Better a poor man who walks with integrity than a fool whose lips are perverse. NET Bible Better is a poor person who walks in his integrity than one who is perverse in his speech and is a fool. New Heart English Bible Better is the poor who walks in his integrity than he who is perverse in his lips and is a fool. Webster's Bible Translation Better is the poor that walketh in his integrity, than he that is perverse in his lips, and is a fool. World English Bible Better is the poor who walks in his integrity than he who is perverse in his lips and is a fool. Literal Translations Literal Standard VersionBetter [is] the poor walking in his integrity, "" Than the perverse [in] his lips—who [is] a fool. Young's Literal Translation Better is the poor walking in his integrity, Than the perverse in his lips, who is a fool. Smith's Literal Translation Good the poor one going in his integrity above the perverse of lips, and he foolish. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleBetter is the poor man, that walketh in his simplicity, than a rich man that is perverse in his lips, and unwise. Catholic Public Domain Version Better is the poor who walks in his simplicity, than the rich who twists his lips and is unwise. New American Bible Better to be poor and walk in integrity than rich and crooked in one’s ways. New Revised Standard Version Better the poor walking in integrity than one perverse of speech who is a fool. Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleBETTER is the poor man who walks in his integrity than the rich man who is perverse in his ways. Peshitta Holy Bible Translated Better is the poor that walks in integrity than the rich that perverts his ways. OT Translations JPS Tanakh 1917Better is the poor that walketh in his integrity Than he that is perverse in his lips and a fool at the same time. Additional Translations ... Audio Bible Context The Man of Integrity1Better a poor man who walks with integrity than a fool whose lips are perverse. 2Even zeal is no good without knowledge, and he who hurries his footsteps misses the mark.… Cross References James 2:5 Listen, my beloved brothers: Has not God chosen the poor of this world to be rich in faith and to inherit the kingdom He promised those who love Him? Matthew 5:3 “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Luke 6:20 Looking up at His disciples, Jesus said: “Blessed are you who are poor, for yours is the kingdom of God. 1 Timothy 6:6-10 Of course, godliness with contentment is great gain. / For we brought nothing into the world, so we cannot carry anything out of it. / But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with these. ... James 1:9-10 The brother in humble circumstances should exult in his high position. / But the one who is rich should exult in his low position, because he will pass away like a flower of the field. 1 Corinthians 1:27-29 But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. / He chose the lowly and despised things of the world, and the things that are not, to nullify the things that are, / so that no one may boast in His presence. Matthew 19:23-24 Then Jesus said to His disciples, “Truly I tell you, it is hard for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven. / Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God.” Luke 16:19-25 Now there was a rich man dressed in purple and fine linen, who lived each day in joyous splendor. / And a beggar named Lazarus lay at his gate, covered with sores / and longing to be fed with the crumbs that fell from the rich man’s table. Even the dogs came and licked his sores. ... 2 Corinthians 8:9 For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though He was rich, yet for your sake He became poor, so that you through His poverty might become rich. Philippians 4:11-12 I am not saying this out of need, for I have learned to be content regardless of my circumstances. / I know how to live humbly, and I know how to abound. In any and every situation I have learned the secret of being filled and being hungry, of having plenty and having need. Psalm 37:16 Better is the little of the righteous than the abundance of many who are wicked. Proverbs 28:6 Better a poor man who walks with integrity than a rich man whose ways are perverse. Ecclesiastes 4:13 Better is a poor but wise youth than an old but foolish king who no longer knows how to take a warning. Psalm 119:1 Blessed are those whose way is blameless, who walk in the Law of the LORD. Proverbs 15:16-17 Better a little with the fear of the LORD than great treasure with turmoil. / Better a dish of vegetables where there is love than a fattened ox with hatred. Treasury of Scripture Better is the poor that walks in his integrity, than he that is perverse in his lips, and is a fool. perverse 1 Samuel 25:17,25 Now therefore know and consider what thou wilt do; for evil is determined against our master, and against all his household: for he is such a son of Belial, that a man cannot speak to him… Isaiah 59:3 For your hands are defiled with blood, and your fingers with iniquity; your lips have spoken lies, your tongue hath muttered perverseness. Matthew 12:31-34 Wherefore I say unto you, All manner of sin and blasphemy shall be forgiven unto men: but the blasphemy against the Holy Ghost shall not be forgiven unto men… Jump to Previous Better Blameless Fool Integrity Lips Perverse Poor Speech Time Twisted Upright Walk Walketh Walking Walks Ways WealthJump to Next Better Blameless Fool Integrity Lips Perverse Poor Speech Time Twisted Upright Walk Walketh Walking Walks Ways WealthProverbs 19 1. Life and ConductBetter a poor man who walks with integrity This phrase emphasizes the value of integrity over material wealth. In biblical times, poverty was often seen as a sign of divine disfavor, yet this proverb challenges that notion by highlighting the moral superiority of the poor who maintain their integrity. Integrity, or moral uprightness, is a recurring theme in Proverbs (e.g., Proverbs 10:9, 11:3) and is highly valued in the biblical narrative. The Hebrew word for "integrity" implies completeness and soundness, suggesting a life lived in accordance with God's laws. This aligns with the teachings of Jesus, who emphasized the blessedness of the poor in spirit (Matthew 5:3) and the importance of storing up treasures in heaven rather than on earth (Matthew 6:19-21). than a fool whose lips are perverse Persons / Places / Events 1. The Poor ManRepresents individuals who may lack material wealth but possess moral integrity and righteousness. 2. The Fool Symbolizes those who lack wisdom and understanding, often characterized by moral and spiritual folly. 3. Solomon Traditionally attributed as the author of Proverbs, Solomon was the king of Israel known for his wisdom. 4. Ancient Israel The cultural and historical context in which the Proverbs were written, emphasizing wisdom and moral living. 5. The Community of Believers The audience for whom the Proverbs were intended, both in ancient times and today, seeking guidance in righteous living. Teaching Points Value of IntegrityIntegrity is a priceless virtue that surpasses material wealth. It is better to be poor and righteous than to be wealthy and morally corrupt. The Danger of Perverse Speech Words have power, and perverse speech can lead to destruction. We must guard our tongues and speak truthfully. Wisdom Over Folly True wisdom is demonstrated through righteous living and integrity, not through foolish and deceitful behavior. Contentment in Godliness Finding contentment in a life of integrity and godliness brings true satisfaction and peace. Eternal Perspective Our focus should be on eternal values rather than temporary material gains, aligning our lives with God's standards.XIX. (1) Perverse in his lips.--One who distorts the truth; translated "froward" in Proverbs 4:24. That a rich man is here intended appears likely from the parallel passage in Proverbs 28:6. Verse 1. - Better is the poor that walkth in his integrity. The word for "poor" is, here and in vers. 7, 22, rash, which signifies "poor" in opposition to "rich." In the present reading of the second clause, than he that is perverse in his lips, and is a fool, there seems to be a failure in antithesis, unless we can understand the fool as a rich fool. This, the repetition of the maxim in Proverbs 28:6 ("Than he that is perverse in his ways, though he be rich"), would lead one to admit. The Vulgate accordingly has, Quam dives torquem labia sua, et insipiens, "Than a rich man who is of perverse lips and a fool." With this the Syriac partly agrees. So that, if we take this reading, the moralist says that the poor man who lives a guileless, innocent life, content with his lot, and using no wrong means to improve his fortunes, is happier and better than the rich man who is hypocritical in his words and deceives others, and has won his wealth by such means, thus proving himself to be a fool, a morally bad man. But if we content ourselves with the Hebrew text, we must find the antithesis in the simple, pious, poor man, contrasted with the arrogant rich man, who sneers at his poor neighbour as an inferior creature. The writer would seem to insinuate that there is a natural connection between poverty and integrity of life on the one hand, and wealth and folly on the other. He would assent to the sweeping assertion, Omnis dives ant iniquus aut iniqui heres, "Every rich man is either a rascal or a rascal's heir."Parallel Commentaries ... Hebrew Betterטֽוֹב־ (ṭō·wḇ-) Adjective - masculine singular Strong's 2896: Pleasant, agreeable, good a poor man רָ֭שׁ (rāš) Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular Strong's 7326: To be in want or poor who walks הוֹלֵ֣ךְ (hō·w·lêḵ) Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular Strong's 1980: To go, come, walk with integrity בְּתֻמּ֑וֹ (bə·ṯum·mōw) Preposition-b | Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine singular Strong's 8537: Completeness, integrity, also part of the high priest's breastplate than a fool כְסִֽיל׃ (ḵə·sîl) Noun - masculine singular Strong's 3684: Stupid fellow, dullard, fool whose lips שְׂ֝פָתָ֗יו (p̄ā·ṯāw) Noun - fdc | third person masculine singular Strong's 8193: The lip, language, a margin are perverse. מֵעִקֵּ֥שׁ (mê·‘iq·qêš) Preposition-m | Adjective - masculine singular construct Strong's 6141: Twisted, perverted Links Proverbs 19:1 NIVProverbs 19:1 NLT Proverbs 19:1 ESV Proverbs 19:1 NASB Proverbs 19:1 KJV Proverbs 19:1 BibleApps.com Proverbs 19:1 Biblia Paralela Proverbs 19:1 Chinese Bible Proverbs 19:1 French Bible Proverbs 19:1 Catholic Bible OT Poetry: Proverbs 19:1 Better is the poor who walks (Prov. 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