Bible Strands
Proverbs 28:6
Better a poor man who walks with integrity than a rich man whose ways are perverse.
Berean Standard Bible
Follow its threads on the canvas →
Study note
Setting — The text delivers a wisdom instruction contrasting two archetypal figures, addressing a student audience within the Solomonic collection.
The words — תֻמּוֹ (tu.M/o) conveys integrity or moral completeness, while עִקֵּשׁ ('i.Kesh) denotes a twisted or crooked moral direction.
The thread — This structural contrast reappears in Proverbs 19:1 and Proverbs 28:18, which both pair walking with integrity against perversity. Luke 16:19 is supplied as a cross-reference that describes a rich man’s lavish lifestyle and appearance, without addressing his moral standing or fate.
Why it lands — The text states that a poor man’s blameless conduct is preferable to a rich man’s crooked path. It requires the reader to measure worth by ethical consistency rather than economic standing.
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
Better is the poor that walketh in his uprightness, than he that is perverse in his ways, though he be rich.
Cross-references
- Proverbs 19:1 Better a poor man who walks with integrity than a fool whose lips are perverse.
- Proverbs 28:18 He who walks with integrity will be kept safe, but whoever is perverse in his ways will suddenly fall.
- Luke 16:19 Now there was a rich man dressed in purple and fine linen, who lived each day in joyous splendor.
- Proverbs 19:22 The desire of a man is loving devotion; better to be poor than a liar.
- Proverbs 16:8 Better a little with righteousness than great gain with injustice.
- Acts 24:24 After several days, Felix returned with his wife Drusilla, who was a Jewess. He sent for Paul and listened to him speak about faith in Christ Jesus.