Verse (Click for Chapter) New International Version What a person desires is unfailing love; better to be poor than a liar. New Living Translation Loyalty makes a person attractive. It is better to be poor than dishonest. English Standard Version What is desired in a man is steadfast love, and a poor man is better than a liar. Berean Standard Bible The desire of a man is loving devotion; better to be poor than a liar. King James Bible The desire of a man is his kindness: and a poor man is better than a liar. New King James Version What is desired in a man is kindness, And a poor man is better than a liar. New American Standard Bible What is desirable in a person is his kindness, And it is better to be a poor person than a liar. NASB 1995 What is desirable in a man is his kindness, And it is better to be a poor man than a liar. NASB 1977 What is desirable in a man is his kindness, And it is better to be a poor man than a liar. Legacy Standard Bible What is desirable in a man is his lovingkindness, And better is a poor man than a man of falsehood. Amplified Bible That which is desirable in a man is his loyalty and unfailing love, But it is better to be a poor man than a [wealthy] liar. Christian Standard Bible What is desirable in a person is his fidelity; better to be a poor person than a liar. Holman Christian Standard Bible What is desirable in a man is his fidelity; better to be a poor man than a liar. American Standard Version That which maketh a man to be desired is his kindness; And a poor man is better than a liar. Contemporary English Version What matters most is loyalty. It's better to be poor than to be a liar. English Revised Version The desire of a man is the measure of his kindness: and a poor man is better than a liar. GOD'S WORD® Translation Loyalty is desirable in a person, and it is better to be poor than a liar. Good News Translation It is a disgrace to be greedy; poor people are better off than liars. International Standard Version Human beings long for grace, and it's better to be poor than a man of deceit. Majority Standard Bible The desire of a man is loving devotion; better to be poor than a liar. NET Bible What is desirable for a person is to show loyal love, and a poor person is better than a liar. New Heart English Bible That which makes a man to be desired is his kindness. A poor man is better than a liar. Webster's Bible Translation The desire of a man is his kindness: and a poor man is better than a liar. World English Bible That which makes a man to be desired is his kindness. A poor man is better than a liar. Literal Translations Literal Standard VersionThe desirableness of a man [is] his kindness, "" And the poor [is] better than a liar. Young's Literal Translation The desirableness of a man is his kindness, And better is the poor than a liar. Smith's Literal Translation The desire of man his mercy: and the poor good above the man of falsehood. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleA needy man is merciful: and better is the poor than the lying man. Catholic Public Domain Version An indigent man is merciful. And a pauper is better than a deceitful man. New American Bible What is desired of a person is fidelity; rather be poor than a liar. New Revised Standard Version What is desirable in a person is loyalty, and it is better to be poor than a liar. Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleThe longing of a man is to do good; and a poor man is better than a rich man who lies. Peshitta Holy Bible Translated The desire of a man is his favor, and the poor man is better than a rich man who lies. OT Translations JPS Tanakh 1917The lust of a man is his shame; And a poor man is better than a liar. Brenton Septuagint Translation Mercy is a fruit to a man: and a poor man is better than a rich liar. Additional Translations ... Audio Bible Context The Man of Integrity…21Many plans are in a man’s heart, but the purpose of the LORD will prevail. 22The desire of a man is loving devotion; better to be poor than a liar. 23The fear of the LORD leads to life, that one may rest content, without visitation from harm.… Cross References 1 Samuel 15:22 But Samuel declared: “Does the LORD delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices as much as in obedience to His voice? Behold, obedience is better than sacrifice, and attentiveness is better than the fat of rams. Micah 6:8 He has shown you, O man, what is good. And what does the LORD require of you but to act justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God? Matthew 9:13 But go and learn what this means: ‘I desire mercy, not sacrifice.’ For I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners.” Hosea 6:6 For I desire mercy, not sacrifice, and the knowledge of God rather than burnt offerings. 1 Corinthians 13:3 If I give all I possess to the poor and exult in the surrender of my body, but have not love, I gain nothing. James 2:13 For judgment without mercy will be shown to anyone who has not been merciful. Mercy triumphs over judgment. Matthew 5:7 Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy. Luke 6:36 Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful. Isaiah 1:17 Learn to do right; seek justice and correct the oppressor. Defend the fatherless and plead the case of the widow.” Matthew 23:23 Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You pay tithes of mint, dill, and cumin. But you have disregarded the weightier matters of the law: justice, mercy, and faithfulness. You should have practiced the latter, without neglecting the former. 1 John 3:17 If anyone with earthly possessions sees his brother in need, but withholds his compassion from him, how can the love of God abide in him? Romans 12:8 if it is encouraging, let him encourage; if it is giving, let him give generously; if it is leading, let him lead with diligence; if it is showing mercy, let him do it cheerfully. 2 Corinthians 8:12 For if the eagerness is there, the gift is acceptable according to what one has, not according to what he does not have. Psalm 37:21 The wicked borrow and do not repay, but the righteous are gracious and giving. Ephesians 4:28 He who has been stealing must steal no longer, but must work, doing good with his own hands, that he may have something to share with the one in need. Treasury of Scripture The desire of a man is his kindness: and a poor man is better than a liar. desire 1 Chronicles 29:2,3,17 Now I have prepared with all my might for the house of my God the gold for things to be made of gold, and the silver for things of silver, and the brass for things of brass, the iron for things of iron, and wood for things of wood; onyx stones, and stones to be set, glistering stones, and of divers colours, and all manner of precious stones, and marble stones in abundance… 2 Chronicles 6:8 But the LORD said to David my father, Forasmuch as it was in thine heart to build an house for my name, thou didst well in that it was in thine heart: Mark 12:41-44 And Jesus sat over against the treasury, and beheld how the people cast money into the treasury: and many that were rich cast in much… and Proverbs 19:1 Better is the poor that walketh in his integrity, than he that is perverse in his lips, and is a fool. Job 6:15 My brethren have dealt deceitfully as a brook, and as the stream of brooks they pass away; Job 17:5 He that speaketh flattery to his friends, even the eyes of his children shall fail. Jump to Previous Better Charm Desirable Desire Desired Desires Kindness Liar Love Makes Maketh Mercy Ornament Poor Shame UnfailingJump to Next Better Charm Desirable Desire Desired Desires Kindness Liar Love Makes Maketh Mercy Ornament Poor Shame UnfailingProverbs 19 1. Life and ConductThe desire of a man is loving devotion; This phrase highlights the intrinsic longing within humans for steadfast love and faithfulness. In the biblical context, loving devotion, or "chesed" in Hebrew, is a covenantal term often used to describe God's loyal love towards His people. It suggests that true fulfillment comes from relationships characterized by loyalty and kindness. This aligns with the biblical teaching that love is the greatest commandment (Matthew 22:37-39) and reflects the nature of God, who is described as love (1 John 4:8). The desire for loving devotion can be seen as a reflection of humanity's creation in the image of God, who is relational and loving. better to be poor than a liar. Persons / Places / Events 1. SolomonTraditionally regarded as the author of Proverbs, Solomon was the son of King David and known for his wisdom. His proverbs often provide practical guidance for living a life that honors God. 2. Ancient Israel The cultural and historical context in which Proverbs was written. Understanding the societal values of ancient Israel helps us grasp the emphasis on integrity and truthfulness. 3. The Wise and the Foolish Throughout Proverbs, these two archetypes are used to contrast those who live according to God's wisdom and those who reject it. Teaching Points Value of IntegrityIntegrity is a core value in the Christian life. It is better to maintain honesty and truthfulness, even if it means living in poverty, than to gain wealth through deceit. Loving Devotion The Hebrew word for "loving devotion" (chesed) implies loyalty, kindness, and faithfulness. This is what God desires from us, reflecting His own character. Contentment in Simplicity Embrace a life of simplicity and contentment, recognizing that material wealth is not the ultimate goal. True fulfillment comes from a heart aligned with God's values. God's Perspective on Wealth Earthly wealth is temporary and can lead to moral compromise. God's perspective values character and integrity over financial success. Truthfulness as a Witness Living truthfully serves as a powerful witness to others about the transformative power of the Gospel. It reflects the character of Christ in our lives.(22) The desire of a man is his kindness--i.e., what makes a man desired or beloved is his kindness. Or, the kindness of a man consists in--is shewn by--his good-will, even though he cannot carry it out. And a poor man (who would do a kindness if he could) is better than a liar.--Than a rich man who could help another, but professes to be unable to do so. Verse 22. - The desire of a man is his kind. nose. The Revised Version rather paraphrases the clause, The desire of a man is the measure of his kindness; i.e. the wish and intention to do good is that which gives its real value to an act. The word for "kindness" is chesed, "mercy;" and, looking to the context, we see the meaning of the maxim to be that a poor man's desire of aiding a distressed neighbour, even if he is unable to carry out his intention, is taken for the act of mercy. "The desire of a man" may signify a man's desirableness, that which makes him to be desired or loved; this is found in his liberality. But the former explanation is most suitable. Septuagint, "Mercifulness is a gain unto a man," which is like ver. 17; Vulgate, Homo indigens misericors est, taking a man's desire as evidenceing his need and poverty, and introducing the idea that the experience of misery conduces to pity, as says Dido (Virgil, 'AEn.,' 1:630) -"Non ignara mali miseris succurrere disco." A poor man is better than a liar. A poor man who gives to one in distress his sympathy and good wishes, even if he can afford no substantial aid, is better than a rich man who promises much and does nothing, or who falsely professes that he is unable to help (comp. Proverbs 3:27, 28). Septuagint, "A poor righteous man is better than a rich liar." A Buddhist maxim says, "Like a beautiful flower, full of colours, but without scent, are the fine but fruitless words of him who does not act accordingly" (Max Muller). Hebrew The desireתַּאֲוַ֣ת (ta·’ă·waṯ) Noun - feminine singular construct Strong's 8378: A longing, a delight of a man אָדָ֣ם (’ā·ḏām) Noun - masculine singular Strong's 120: Ruddy, a human being is loving devotion; חַסְדּ֑וֹ (ḥas·dōw) Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine singular Strong's 2617: Kindness, piety, reproof, beauty better וְטֽוֹב־ (wə·ṭō·wḇ-) Conjunctive waw | Adjective - masculine singular Strong's 2896: Pleasant, agreeable, good to be poor רָ֝שׁ (rāš) Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular Strong's 7326: To be in want or poor than מֵאִ֥ישׁ (mê·’îš) Preposition-m | Noun - masculine singular construct Strong's 376: A man as an individual, a male person a liar. כָּזָֽב׃ (kā·zāḇ) Noun - masculine singular Strong's 3577: A lie, falsehood, deceptive thing Links Proverbs 19:22 NIVProverbs 19:22 NLT Proverbs 19:22 ESV Proverbs 19:22 NASB Proverbs 19:22 KJV Proverbs 19:22 BibleApps.com Proverbs 19:22 Biblia Paralela Proverbs 19:22 Chinese Bible Proverbs 19:22 French Bible Proverbs 19:22 Catholic Bible OT Poetry: Proverbs 19:22 That which makes a man to be (Prov. Pro Pr) |