Proverbs 19:17–20

PROVERBS CHAPTER 19.

V. 17. He that hath pity upon the poor, showing him charity in the right spirit, lendeth unto the Lord, money given to the poor is deposited in the savings-bank of Yahweh; and that which he hath given, in helping out the poor and needy, will He pay him again. Compare Matt. 25, 40; Luke 6, 30-35.

V. 18. Chasten thy son while there is hope, correcting him, if necessary, by corporal punishment, and let not thy soul spare for his crying, literally, “and to his death do not lift up thy soul”; wisdom and love must know and observe the proper measure of punishment, knowing at the same time, that there is a cruel kindness, which kills by withholding seasonable correction.

V. 19. A man of great wrath, one who cannot control his temper. shall suffer punishment; for if thou deliver him, yet thou must do it again, that is, to interfere with a wrathful man with the purpose of saving him from his own foolishness usually makes matters worse; he must learn to govern himself.

V. 20. Hear counsel and receive instruction, in effecting the moral training which every person needs for true wisdom, that thou mayest be wise in thy latter end, in the future; for the conduct of the truly wise will grow nearer perfection as they grow in years.