Proverbs 26:19
 Proverbs 26:19 
New International Version (©2011)
is one who deceives their neighbor and says, "I was only joking!"

New Living Translation (©2007)
is someone who lies to a friend and then says, "I was only joking."

English Standard Version (©2001)
is the man who deceives his neighbor and says, “I am only joking!”

New American Standard Bible (©1995)
So is the man who deceives his neighbor, And says, "Was I not joking?"

King James Bible (Cambridge Ed.)
So is the man that deceiveth his neighbour, and saith, Am not I in sport?

Holman Christian Standard Bible (©2009)
so is the man who deceives his neighbor and says, "I was only joking!"

International Standard Version (©2012)
that's what someone is like who lies to his neighbor and then says, "I was joking, wasn't I?"

NET Bible (©2006)
so is a person who deceives his neighbor, and says, "Was I not only joking?"

Aramaic Bible in Plain English (©2010)
So is the man that deceives his neighbor, and when it is known, says, “I was just joking.”

GOD'S WORD® Translation (©1995)
so is the person who tricks his neighbor and says, "I was only joking!"

King James 2000 Bible (©2003)
So is the man that deceives his neighbor, and says, Am I not jesting?

American King James Version
So is the man that deceives his neighbor, and said, Am not I in sport?

American Standard Version
So is the man that deceiveth his neighbor, And saith, Am not I in sport?

Douay-Rheims Bible
So is the man that hurteth his friend deceitfully: and when he is taken, saith: I did it in jest.

Darby Bible Translation
so is a man that deceiveth his neighbour, and saith, Am I not in sport?

English Revised Version
So is the man that deceiveth his neighbour, and saith, Am not I in sport?

Webster's Bible Translation
So is the man that deceiveth his neighbor, and saith, Am not I in sport?

World English Bible
is the man who deceives his neighbor and says, "Am I not joking?"

Young's Literal Translation
So hath a man deceived his neighbour, And hath said, 'Am not I playing?'

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary

26:2. He that is cursed without cause, the curse shall do him no more harm than the bird that flies over his head. 3. Every creature must be dealt with according to its nature, but careless and profligate sinners never will be ruled by reason and persuasion. Man indeed is born like the wild ass's colt; but some, by the grace of God, are changed. 4,5. We are to fit our remarks to the man, and address them to his conscience, so as may best end the debate. 6-9. Fools are not fit to be trusted, nor to have any honour. Wise sayings, as a foolish man delivers and applies them, lose their usefulness. 10. This verse may either declare how the Lord, the Creator of all men, will deal with sinners according to their guilt, or, how the powerful among men should disgrace and punish the wicked. 11. The dog is a loathsome emblem of those sinners who return to their vices, 2Pe 2:22. 12. We see many a one who has some little sense, but is proud of it. This describes those who think their spiritual state to be good, when really it is very bad. 13. The slothful man hates every thing that requires care and labour. But it is foolish to frighten ourselves from real duties by fancied difficulties. This may be applied to a man slothful in the duties of religion. 14. Having seen the slothful man in fear of his work, here we find him in love with his ease. Bodily ease is the sad occasion of many spiritual diseases. He does not care to get forward with his business. Slothful professors turn thus. The world and the flesh are hinges on which they are hung; and though they move in a course of outward services, yet they are not the nearer to heaven. 15. The sluggard is now out of his bed, but he might have lain there, for any thing he is likely to bring to pass in his work. It is common for men who will not do their duty, to pretend they cannot. Those that are slothful in religion, will not be at the pains to feed their souls with the bread of life, nor to fetch in promised blessings by prayer. 16. He that takes pains in religion, knows he is working for a good Master, and that his labour shall not be in vain. 17. To make ourselves busy in other men's matters, is to thrust ourselves into temptation. 18,19. He that sins in jest, must repent in earnest, or his sin will be his ruin. 20-22. Contention heats the spirit, and puts families and societies into a flame. And that fire is commonly kindled and kept burning by whisperers and backbiters. 23. A wicked heart disguising itself, is like a potsherd covered with the dross of silver.


Gill's Exposition of the Entire Bible

So is the man that deceiveth his neighbour,.... By telling him a lie; or by reporting false things concerning him; or by cheating him in trade and commerce; or by taking his goods privately from him; and, when caught in either of these,

and saith, Am not I in sport? do not be angry, I designed no hurt; it is all in jest, a mere joke: but, had he not been apprehended, it would have been in earnest, as he was. This is only an excuse, and as absurd an one as if a man should set fire to his neighbour's house and barns, or throw arrows at him, or strike him with any instrument of death, as the sword, &c. and then say he was only in jest, or pretend madness.


Proverbs 26:19 Parallel Commentaries

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Similitudes and Instructions
18As a mad man who casts firebrands, arrows, and death, 19So is the man that deceives his neighbor, and said, Am not I in sport? 20Where no wood is, there the fire goes out: so where there is no talebearer, the strife ceases. …

Ephesians 5:4 Nor should there be obscenity, foolish talk or coarse joking, which are out of place, but rather thanksgiving.
Proverbs 24:28 Do not testify against your neighbor without cause-- would you use your lips to mislead?