That which makes a man to be desired is his kindness. A poor man is better than a liar.
Parallel translations
- KJV The desire of a man is his kindness: and a poor man is better than a liar.
- BSB The desire of a man is loving devotion; better to be poor than a liar.
- NKJV What is desired in a man is kindness, And a poor man is better than a liar.
- NASB What is desirable in a person is his kindness, And it is better to be a poor person than a liar.
- NLT Loyalty makes a person attractive. It is better to be poor than dishonest.
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
Loyal kindness is what makes a person desirable, and honest poverty beats deceitful wealth. Faithful love and integrity matter more than riches.
Overview
This proverb commends kindness or steadfast love as what makes a person truly attractive, and declares a poor man better than a liar. The verse is variously rendered, but its thrust honors loyal love and honesty above wealth gained by deceit. It reflects God's own steadfast love (chesed) and calls His people to value integrity and faithful kindness, supremely displayed in Christ.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 12
- 2 Cor 8:12For if the readiness is there, it is acceptable according to what you have, not according to what you don’t have.
- 2 Chr 6:8But Yahweh said to David my father, ‘Whereas it was in your heart to build a house for my name, you did well that it was in your heart;
- Mark 14:6–8But Jesus said, “Leave her alone. Why do you trouble her? She has done a good work for me.
- Mark 12:41–44Jesus sat down opposite the treasury, and saw how the multitude cast money into the treasury. Many who were rich cast in much.
- 2 Cor 8:2–3how that in much proof of affliction the abundance of their joy and their deep poverty abounded to the riches of their liberality.
- Prov 19:1Better is the poor who walks in his integrity than he who is perverse in his lips and is a fool.
- Titus 1:2in hope of eternal life, which God, who can’t lie, promised before time began;
- 1 Chr 29:2–3Now I have prepared with all my might for the house of my God the gold for the things of gold, the silver for the things of silver, the brass for the things of brass, iron for the things of iron, and wood for the things of wood; also onyx stones, stones to be set, stones for inlaid work, of various colors, all kinds of precious stones, and marble stones in abundance.
- Ps 62:9Surely men of low degree are just a breath, and men of high degree are a lie. In the balances they will go up. They are together lighter than a breath.
- 1 Chr 29:17I know also, my God, that you try the heart, and have pleasure in uprightness. As for me, in the uprightness of my heart I have willingly offered all these things. Now I have seen with joy your people, who are present here, offer willingly to you.
- Job 6:15My brothers have dealt deceitfully as a brook, as the channel of brooks that pass away;
- Job 17:5He who denounces his friends for plunder, Even the eyes of his children shall fail.
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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 19:22 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
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