Thy Strong Word — Proverbs 19:1-14: Wisdom Over Wealth

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These proverbs contrast integrity and foolishness, emphasizing the value of honesty and wisdom. Solomon highlights that it is better to be poor and walk in integrity than to be rich and dishonest. He warns against hasty actions and underscores the importance of patience and understanding. The verses also address the impact of a person’s actions on their relationships, the danger of false witnesses, and the importance of discipline and prudent living.

The Rev. David Boisclair, pastor of Our Redeemer Lutheran Church in Overland, MO, joins the Rev. Dr. Phil Booe to study Proverbs 19:1-14.

Step into the spiritually rich landscape of the Book of Proverbs, a text divinely inspired and attributed to Solomon, the sage king endowed by God with unsurpassed wisdom. This ancient scripture begins with heartfelt lessons from a father to a son, laying a foundation of moral and ethical guidance before unfolding into a collection of timeless proverbs. It uniquely personifies wisdom and folly as two paths that stand before humanity, offering a choice between a life filled with virtue, fear of the Lord, and understanding, and one marred by shortsighted pleasures and foolishness. Proverbs serves as a compass for those seeking to walk in righteousness, offering insights that resonate deeply with the human experience, guiding us toward a life of purpose and discernment according to God’s will.

Thy Strong Word, hosted by Rev. Dr. Phil Booe, pastor of St. John Lutheran Church of Luverne, MN, reveals the light of our salvation in Christ through study of God’s Word, breaking our darkness with His redeeming light. Each weekday, two pastors fix our eyes on Jesus by considering Holy Scripture, verse by verse, in order to be strengthened in the Word and be equipped to faithfully serve in our daily vocations.

Thy Strong Word is graciously underwritten by the Lutheran Heritage Foundation. Through the mission gifts of people like you, LHF translates, publishes, distributes and introduces books that are Bible-based, Christ-centered and Reformation-driven. Learn more at lhfmissions.org.

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Proverbs 19:1-14

19 Better is a poor person who walks in his integrity
than one who is crooked in speech and is a fool.
² Desire^[a] without knowledge is not good,
and whoever makes haste with his feet misses his way.
³ When a man’s folly brings his way to ruin,
his heart rages against the Lord.
⁴ Wealth brings many new friends,
but a poor man is deserted by his friend.
⁵ A false witness will not go unpunished,
and he who breathes out lies will not escape.
⁶ Many seek the favor of a generous man,^[b]
and everyone is a friend to a man who gives gifts.
⁷ All a poor man’s brothers hate him;
how much more do his friends go far from him!
He pursues them with words, but does not have them.^[c]
8 Whoever gets sense loves his own soul;
he who keeps understanding will discover good.
⁹ A false witness will not go unpunished,
and he who breathes out lies will perish.
¹⁰ It is not fitting for a fool to live in luxury,
much less for a slave to rule over princes.
¹¹ Good sense makes one slow to anger,
and it is his glory to overlook an offense.
¹² A king’s wrath is like the growling of a lion,
but his favor is like dew on the grass.
¹³ A foolish son is ruin to his father,
and a wife’s quarreling is a continual dripping of rain.
¹⁴ House and wealth are inherited from fathers,
but a prudent wife is from the Lord.

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Footnotes

1. Proverbs 19:2 Or A soul
2. Proverbs 19:6 Or of a noble
3. Proverbs 19:7 The meaning of the Hebrew sentence is uncertain

English Standard Version (ESV) The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. esv.org