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Chapter 19
Verse 19

Proverbs 19:4

Verse

Berean Standard Bible

Wealth attracts many friends, but a poor man is deserted by his friend.

American Standard Version (1901)

Wealth addeth many friends; But the poor is separated from his friend.

Bible in Basic English

Wealth makes a great number of friends; but the poor man is parted from his friend.

Douay-Rheims 1899

Riches make many friends: but from the poor man, even they whom he had, depart.

Free Bible Version

If you're rich, you get a lot of friends, but if you're poor, you lose any friends you had.

Geneva Bible 1599

Riches gather many friends: but the poore is separated from his neighbour.

King James (Authorized) Version

Wealth maketh many friends; but the poor is separated from his neighbour.

One Unity Resource Bible

Wealth adds many friends, but the poor is separated from his friend.

Translation for Translators

Those who are rich easily find people who want to be their friends, but when people become poor, their friends often desert them.

Unlocked Literal Bible

Wealth adds many friends, but a poor person is separated from his friends.

Noah Webster Bible

Wealth maketh many friends; but the poor is separated from his neighbor.

World English Bible

Wealth adds many friends, but the poor is separated from his friend.

Young's Literal Translation

Wealth addeth many friends, And the poor from his neighbour is separated.

Context

The Man of Integrity

³A man’s own folly subverts his way, yet his heart rages against the LORD. ⁴Wealth attracts many friends, but a poor man is deserted by his friend.

Summary

This verse highlights the importance of wealth and how it can lead to many friends, but also emphasizes that a poor person is deserted by their friends. It serves as a reminder of the fickle nature of human relationships, showing that some may be drawn to others based on material possessions rather than genuine care. The verse encourages discernment in friendships, urging individuals to seek relationships based on sincerity and loyalty rather than wealth or status.

Commentary

Keil-Delitzsch
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
John Gill
Matthew Henry

Carl Friedrich Keil and Franz Delitzsch Old Testament Commentary

4 Wealth bringeth many friends; But the reduced - his friend separateth himself. The very same contrast, though otherwise expressed, we had at Pro 14:20. Regarding הון, vid., vol. i, p. 63. דל is the tottering, or he who has fallen into a tottering condition, who has no resources, possesses no means. The accentuation gives Mugrash to the word (according to which the Targ. translates), for it is not the subject of יפּרד: the reduced is separated (pass. Niph.) by his misfortunes, or must separate himself (reflex. Niph.) from his friend (מרעהוּ, as Ecc 4:4, prae socio suo); but subject of the virtual pred. מרעהוּ יפּרד: the reduced - his friend (מרעהו, as Pro 19:7) separates himself, i.e., (according to the nature of the Semitic substantival clause) he is such (of such a fate) that his friend sets himself free, whereby ממּנּוּ may be omitted as self-obvious; נפרד means one who separates himself, Pro 18:1. If we make דל the subject of the separatur, then the initiative of the separation from the friend is not expressed.

Proverbs 19:4

The Man of Integrity

³A man’s own folly subverts his way, yet his heart rages against the LORD. ⁴Wealth attracts many friends, but a poor man is deserted by his friend.

Scripture
Sermons
Commentary

Berean Standard Bible

Wealth attracts many friends, but a poor man is deserted by his friend.

American Standard Version (1901)

Wealth addeth many friends; But the poor is separated from his friend.

Bible in Basic English

Wealth makes a great number of friends; but the poor man is parted from his friend.

Douay-Rheims 1899

Riches make many friends: but from the poor man, even they whom he had, depart.

Free Bible Version

If you're rich, you get a lot of friends, but if you're poor, you lose any friends you had.

Geneva Bible 1599

Riches gather many friends: but the poore is separated from his neighbour.

King James (Authorized) Version

Wealth maketh many friends; but the poor is separated from his neighbour.

One Unity Resource Bible

Wealth adds many friends, but the poor is separated from his friend.

Translation for Translators

Those who are rich easily find people who want to be their friends, but when people become poor, their friends often desert them.

Unlocked Literal Bible

Wealth adds many friends, but a poor person is separated from his friends.

Noah Webster Bible

Wealth maketh many friends; but the poor is separated from his neighbor.

World English Bible

Wealth adds many friends, but the poor is separated from his friend.

Young's Literal Translation

Wealth addeth many friends, And the poor from his neighbour is separated.

Keil-Delitzsch
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
John Gill
Matthew Henry

Carl Friedrich Keil and Franz Delitzsch Old Testament Commentary

4 Wealth bringeth many friends; But the reduced - his friend separateth himself. The very same contrast, though otherwise expressed, we had at Pro 14:20. Regarding הון, vid., vol. i, p. 63. דל is the tottering, or he who has fallen into a tottering condition, who has no resources, possesses no means. The accentuation gives Mugrash to the word (according to which the Targ. translates), for it is not the subject of יפּרד: the reduced is separated (pass. Niph.) by his misfortunes, or must separate himself (reflex. Niph.) from his friend (מרעהוּ, as Ecc 4:4, prae socio suo); but subject of the virtual pred. מרעהוּ יפּרד: the reduced - his friend (מרעהו, as Pro 19:7) separates himself, i.e., (according to the nature of the Semitic substantival clause) he is such (of such a fate) that his friend sets himself free, whereby ממּנּוּ may be omitted as self-obvious; נפרד means one who separates himself, Pro 18:1. If we make דל the subject of the separatur, then the initiative of the separation from the friend is not expressed.