The way of the lazy man is like a hedge of thorns, But the way of the upright is a highway.
Parallel translations
- WEB The way of the sluggard is like a thorn patch, but the path of the upright is a highway.
- KJV The way of the slothful man is as an hedge of thorns: but the way of the righteous is made plain.
- 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.
- 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 35:8A highway will be there, a road, and it will be called The Holy Way. The unclean shall not pass over it, but it will be for those who walk in the Way. Wicked fools will not go there.
- Prov 22:5Thorns and snares are in the path of the wicked: whoever guards his soul stays from them.
- Prov 22:13The sluggard says, “There is a lion outside! I will be killed in the streets!”
- Prov 26:13The sluggard says, “There is a lion in the road! A fierce lion roams the streets!”
- Isa 30:21and when you turn to the right hand, and when you turn to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, “This is the way. Walk in it.”
- Ps 27:11Teach me your way, Yahweh. Lead me in a straight path, because of my enemies.
- Num 14:1–3All the congregation lifted up their voice, and cried; and the people wept that night.
- Prov 8:9They are all plain to him who understands, right to those who find knowledge.
- Ps 5:8Lead me, Yahweh, in your righteousness because of my enemies. Make your way straight before my face.
- Ps 25:8–9Good and upright is Yahweh, therefore he will instruct sinners in the way.
- Num 14:7–9They spoke to all the congregation of the children of Israel, saying, “The land, which we passed through to spy it out, is an exceeding good land.
- Prov 3:6In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.
- Ps 25:12What man is he who fears Yahweh? He shall instruct him in the way that he shall choose.
- Isa 57:14He will say, “Build up, build up, prepare the way! Remove the stumbling-block 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.