Proverbs 19 · Verse 16

Proverbs 19:16

He that keepeth the commandment keepeth his own soul; but he that despiseth his ways shall die.
Proverbs 19:16, King James Version

Proverbs 19:16 in other translations

BSBHe who keeps a commandment preserves his soul, but he who is careless in his ways will die.
WEBHe who keeps the commandment keeps his soul, but he who is contemptuous in his ways shall die.
ASVHe that keepeth the commandment keepeth his soul; But he that is careless of his ways shall die.
YLTWhoso is keeping the command is keeping his soul, Whoso is despising His ways dieth.
DARBYHe that keepeth the commandment keepeth his soul; he that is careless of his ways shall die.
BBEHe who keeps the law keeps his soul; but death will be the fate of him who takes no note of the word.
WebsterHe that keepeth the commandment keepeth his own soul; but he that despiseth his ways shall die.

What does Proverbs 19:16 mean?

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
16. (Compare Pr 10:17; 13:13). despiseth ... ways--opposed to keeping or observing, neglects (Pr 16:17) (as unworthy of regard) his moral conduct.

Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown, 1871 · public domain

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary
If we keep God's word, God's word will keep us from every thing really hurtful. We abuse the doctrine of free grace, if we think that it does away the necessity and advantage of obedience. Those that live at random must die. This truth is clearly taught in words enough to alarm the stoutest sinner.

Matthew Henry, 1706 · public domain

Proverbs 19:16 in the original Hebrew

Word-by-word with transliteration, English gloss and Strong's number. Tap a number for the full definition and every place the word is used.

שֹׁמֵ֣רsho.Mer[one who] keepsH8104
מִ֭צְוָהMitz.vaha commandmentH4687
שֹׁמֵ֣רsho.Mer[is] guardingH8104
נַפְשׁ֑וֹnaf.Sholife hisH5315
בּוֹזֵ֖הbo.Zeh[the] [one who] despisesH959
דְרָכָ֣יוde.ra.Khav<of> ways hisH1870
יָמֽוּת\׃yu.mathe will dieH4191

Source: STEPBible TAHOT/TAGNT (Tyndale House, CC BY 4.0).

Cross references for Proverbs 19:16

  • Proverbs 13:13

    Whoso despiseth the word shall be destroyed: but he that feareth the commandment shall be rewarded.

  • Luke 10:28

    And he said unto him, Thou hast answered right: this do, and thou shalt live.

  • 1 John 5:3

    For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous.

  • Luke 11:28

    But he said, Yea rather, blessed are they that hear the word of God, and keep it.

  • 1 John 3:22

    And whatsoever we ask, we receive of him, because we keep his commandments, and do those things that are pleasing in his sight.

  • Proverbs 16:17

    The highway of the upright is to depart from evil: he that keepeth his way preserveth his soul.

  • Matthew 16:26

    For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?

  • Proverbs 29:18

    Where there is no vision, the people perish: but he that keepeth the law, happy is he.

  • Ecclesiastes 8:5

    Whoso keepeth the commandment shall feel no evil thing: and a wise man’s heart discerneth both time and judgment.

  • Proverbs 21:23

    Whoso keepeth his mouth and his tongue keepeth his soul from troubles.

  • Revelation 22:14

    Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city.

  • Ecclesiastes 12:13

    Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man.

Ranked by reader votes · OpenBible.info cross references (CC BY).

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
keepeth the.
3:1; 29:18; Ps 103:18; Ec 8:5; 12:13; Jer 7:23; Lu 10:28; 11:28
Joh 14:15,21-23; 15:10-14; 1Co 7:19; 1Jo 2:3,4; 3:22; 5:3; Re 22:14
keepeth his.
16:17; 21:23; 22:5; Eze 33:5; Mt 16:26
he that despiseth.
13:13; 15:32

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge (Samuel Bagster, c. 1836) · public domain

Context

  • Proverbs 19:15

    Slothfulness casteth into a deep sleep; and an idle soul shall suffer hunger.

  • Proverbs 19:16

    He that keepeth the commandment keepeth his own soul; but he that despiseth his ways shall die.

  • Proverbs 19:17

    He that hath pity upon the poor lendeth unto the Lord; and that which he hath given will he pay him again.

Read all of Proverbs 19

Proverbs 19:16 in other languages

Spanish
Reina-Valera 1909		El que guarda el mandamiento, guarda su alma: mas el que menospreciare sus caminos, morirá.
French
Bible J.N. Darby 1885		Celui qui garde le commandement garde son âme; celui qui ne veille pas sur ses voies mourra.
German
Elberfelder 1871		Wer das Gebot bewahrt, bewahrt seine Seele; wer seine Wege verachtet, wird sterben.
Latin
Clementine Vulgate		Qui custodit mandatum custodit animam suam; qui autem negligit viam suam mortificabitur.