Bible Strands
Proverbs 13:19
Desire fulfilled is sweet to the soul, but turning from evil is detestable to fools.
Berean Standard Bible
Follow its threads on the canvas →
Study note
Setting — The wisdom teacher addresses the student immediately after warning that ignoring discipline brings poverty and shame, framing the choice between heedfulness and folly.
The words — תַּאֲוָ֣ה (ta.'a.Vah) means desire, and ס֣וּר (sur) means to turn aside, anchoring the verse’s contrast between satisfaction and avoidance.
The thread — The motif of fulfilled desire appears in Proverbs 13:12, while the pattern of righteousness being detestable to the wicked runs in Proverbs 29:27.
Why it lands — It requires you to pursue righteous goals while accepting that abandoning evil will be despised by fools, so you must act without seeking their approval.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Hebrew words
King James Version
The desire accomplished is sweet to the soul: but it is abomination to fools to depart from evil.
Cross-references
- Proverbs 13:12 Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but desire fulfilled is a tree of life.
- Revelation 7:14 “Sir,” I answered, “you know.” So he replied, “These are the ones who have come out of the great tribulation; they have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.
- Proverbs 29:27 An unjust man is detestable to the righteous, and one whose way is upright is detestable to the wicked.
- 2 Timothy 2:19 Nevertheless, God’s firm foundation stands, bearing this seal: “The Lord knows those who are His,” and, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord must turn away from iniquity.”
- Psalms 34:14 Turn away from evil and do good; seek peace and pursue it.
- Proverbs 16:17 The highway of the upright leads away from evil; he who guards his way protects his life.
- Job 28:28 And He said to man, ‘Behold, the fear of the Lord, that is wisdom, and to turn away from evil is understanding.’”
- Psalms 21:1 For the choirmaster. A Psalm of David. O LORD, the king rejoices in Your strength. How greatly he exults in Your salvation!
- Proverbs 3:7 Be not wise in your own eyes; fear the LORD and turn away from evil.
- Proverbs 16:6 By loving devotion and faithfulness iniquity is atoned for, and by the fear of the LORD one turns aside from evil.