The way of the slothful man is as an hedge of thorns: but the way of the righteous is made plain.
Parallel translations
- WEB The way of the sluggard is like a thorn patch, but the path of the upright is a highway.
- BSB The way of the slacker is like a hedge of thorns, but the path of the upright is a highway.
- ESV The way of a sluggard is like a hedge of thorns, but the path of the upright is a level highway.
- NKJV The way of the lazy man is like a hedge of thorns, But the way of the upright is a highway.
- NASB The way of the lazy one is like a hedge of thorns, But the path of the upright is a highway.
- NLT A lazy person’s way is blocked with briers, but the path of the upright is an open highway.
Scripture quotations are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Quick answer
The lazy person's path is choked with self-made obstacles, while the upright travel a clear, open road. It matters because diligence and integrity smooth life's way that sloth complicates.
Overview
Using vivid imagery, the proverb pictures the sluggard's way as a hedge of thorns and the upright's as a level highway. Laziness manufactures difficulties and excuses, whereas uprightness yields a path of relative ease and progress. The contrast reflects the broader biblical theme that wisdom orders life rightly under God.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 14
- Isa 35:8And an highway shall be there, and a way, and it shall be called The way of holiness; the unclean shall not pass over it; but it shall be for those: the wayfaring men, though fools, shall not err therein.
- Prov 22:5Thorns and snares are in the way of the froward: he that doth keep his soul shall be far from them.
- Prov 22:13The slothful man saith, There is a lion without, I shall be slain in the streets.
- Prov 26:13The slothful man saith, There is a lion in the way; a lion is in the streets.
- Isa 30:21And thine ears shall hear a word behind thee, saying, This is the way, walk ye in it, when ye turn to the right hand, and when ye turn to the left.
- Ps 27:11Teach me thy way, O LORD, and lead me in a plain path, because of mine enemies.
- Num 14:1–3And all the congregation lifted up their voice, and cried; and the people wept that night.
- Prov 8:9They are all plain to him that understandeth, and right to them that find knowledge.
- Ps 5:8Lead me, O LORD, in thy righteousness because of mine enemies; make thy way straight before my face.
- Ps 25:8–9Good and upright is the LORD: therefore will he teach sinners in the way.
- Num 14:7–9And they spake unto all the company of the children of Israel, saying, The land, which we passed through to search it, is an exceeding good land.
- Prov 3:6In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.
- Ps 25:12What man is he that feareth the LORD? him shall he teach in the way that he shall choose.
- Isa 57:14And shall say, Cast ye up, cast ye up, prepare the way, take up the stumblingblock out of the way of my people.
Themes, concepts, people & topics
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Hebrew/Greek interlinear, word definitions, and cross-references for this verse.
Christ at the center
Wisdom personified, with God before creation and the agent of all things, anticipates Christ 'in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom' — the wisdom of God made flesh.
How Proverbs 15:19 points to him is part of the one story that runs through all Scripture — meet Jesus at the heart of the web, or follow a trail that traces him from Genesis to Revelation.
Original language
Each word below is tagged with its Strong’s number — tap one to see the underlying Hebrew word, its meaning, and every verse that uses it.