proverbs 19

Read Proverbs 19 at Bible Gateway.

Hebrew paragraph divisions:

Pro 10:1b-19:9 {p} Contrast between wise/ foolish, righteous/ wicked, rich/ poor
Pro 19:10-21:30 {p} Wisdom to discern good or evil, the wise or foolish course

Pro 19:15-24 chiastic structure:

1a) Pro 19:15, Laziness casts one into a deep sleep + an idle person will suffer hunger;

1b) Pro 19:16-18, He who does not keep the commandment (is careless of his ways) will be destroyed;

1a) Pro 19:16, He who keeps the commandment keeps his soul, but he who is careless of his ways will die;
central axis) Pro 19:17, He who has pity on the poor lends to the LORD + He will pay back what he has given;
2a) Pro 19:18, Chasten your son while there is hope, and do not set your heart on his destruction;

1c) Pro 19:19, A man of great wrath will suffer punishment/ if you rescue him, you will have to do it again;

1d) Pro 19:20a, Listen to counsel and receive instruction;

central axis) Pro 19:20b, That you may be wise in your latter days;

2d) Pro 19:21, There are many plans in a man’s heart, nevertheless the Lord’s counsel — that will stand;

2c) Pro 19:22, What is desired in a man is kindness, and a poor man is better than a liar;

2b) Pro 19:23, The fear of the LORD leads to life/ he who has it will abide in satisfaction + not be visited with evil;

2a) Pro 19:24, A lazy man buries his hand in the bowl, and will not so much as bring it to his mouth again.

Not only listen to counsel – but listen to the LORD’s counsel, for that is what will stand in the end. Kindness is better than wrath, and rescuing someone from the punishment they have brought on themselves because of wrath, will not help them learn to abandon it. Letting them suffer the consequences of their punishment is the only way someone who refuses to receive instruction and listen to counsel, will learn to abandon it for kindness and wisdom.

And here is reiterated the same admonition found in many places in Torah, for the purpose of keeping the LORD’s commandments – so that it may go well with you, and so that you and your son, and your son’s son, may be blessed.