Proverbs 26:19
New International Version
is one who deceives their neighbor and says, “I was only joking!”

New Living Translation
is someone who lies to a friend and then says, “I was only joking.”

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

Berean Standard Bible
so is the man who deceives his neighbor and says, “I was only joking!”

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

New King James Version
Is the man who deceives his neighbor, And says, “I was only joking!”

New American Standard Bible
So is a person who deceives his neighbor, And says, “Was I not joking?”

NASB 1995
So is the man who deceives his neighbor, And says, “Was I not joking?”

NASB 1977
So is the man who deceives his neighbor, And says, “Was I not joking?”

Legacy Standard Bible
So is the man who deceives his neighbor, And says, “Am I not joking?”

Amplified Bible
So is the man who deceives his neighbor (acquaintance, friend) And then says, “Was I not joking?”

Christian Standard Bible
so is the person who deceives his neighbor and says, “I was only joking! ”

Holman Christian Standard Bible
so is the man who deceives his neighbor and says, “I was only joking!”

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

Contemporary English Version
than to cheat someone and say, "I was only fooling!"

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

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

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

Majority Standard Bible
so is the man who deceives his neighbor and says, ?I was only joking!?

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

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

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?”
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
So has a man deceived his neighbor, "" And has said, “Am I not playing?”

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

Smith's Literal Translation
So the man deceiving his neighbor and saying, Am I not sporting?
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
So is the man that hurteth his friend deceitfully: and when he is taken, saith: I did it in jest.

Catholic Public Domain Version
so also is the man who harms his friend by deceitfulness. And when he has been apprehended, he says, “I did it jokingly.”

New American Bible
Such are those who deceive their neighbor, and then say, “I was only joking.”

New Revised Standard Version
so is one who deceives a neighbor and says, “I am only joking!”
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
So is the man who deceives his neighbor; when he is caught, he says, I was merely jesting.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
So is the man that deceives his neighbor, and when it is known, says, "I was just joking.”
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
So is the man that deceiveth his neighbour, And saith: 'Am not I in sport?'

Brenton Septuagint Translation
so are all that lay wait for their own friends, and when they are discovered, say, I did it in jest.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Similitudes and Instructions
18Like a madman shooting firebrands and deadly arrows, 19so is the man who deceives his neighbor and says, “I was only joking!” 20Without wood, a fire goes out; without gossip, a conflict ceases.…

Cross References
Ephesians 5:4
Nor should there be obscenity, foolish talk, or crude joking, which are out of character, but rather thanksgiving.

Matthew 12:36-37
But I tell you that men will give an account on the day of judgment for every careless word they have spoken. / For by your words you will be acquitted, and by your words you will be condemned.”

James 3:5-10
In the same way, the tongue is a small part of the body, but it boasts of great things. Consider how small a spark sets a great forest ablaze. / The tongue also is a fire, a world of wickedness among the parts of the body. It pollutes the whole person, sets the course of his life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell. / All kinds of animals, birds, reptiles, and creatures of the sea are being tamed and have been tamed by man, ...

Colossians 3:8
But now you must put aside all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips.

1 Peter 3:10
For, “Whoever would love life and see good days must keep his tongue from evil and his lips from deceitful speech.

Romans 14:13
Therefore let us stop judging one another. Instead, make up your mind not to put any stumbling block or obstacle in your brother’s way.

1 Corinthians 10:32
Do not become a stumbling block, whether to Jews or Greeks or the church of God—

Galatians 5:15
But if you keep on biting and devouring one another, watch out, or you will be consumed by one another.

2 Timothy 2:16
But avoid irreverent, empty chatter, which will only lead to more ungodliness,

Titus 3:2
to malign no one, and to be peaceable and gentle, showing full consideration to everyone.

Ecclesiastes 10:12-14
The words of a wise man’s mouth are gracious, but the lips of a fool consume him. / The beginning of his talk is folly, and the end of his speech is evil madness. / Yet the fool multiplies words. No one knows what is coming, and who can tell him what will come after him?

Psalm 34:13
Keep your tongue from evil and your lips from deceitful speech.

Psalm 52:2-4
Your tongue devises destruction like a sharpened razor, O worker of deceit. / You love evil more than good, falsehood more than speaking truth. Selah / You love every word that devours, O deceitful tongue.

Psalm 101:5
Whoever slanders his neighbor in secret, I will put to silence; the one with haughty eyes and a proud heart, I will not endure.

Proverbs 10:18-19
The one who conceals hatred has lying lips, and whoever spreads slander is a fool. / When words are many, sin is unavoidable, but he who restrains his lips is wise.


Treasury of Scripture

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

and

Proverbs 10:23
It is as sport to a fool to do mischief: but a man of understanding hath wisdom.

Proverbs 14:9
Fools make a mock at sin: but among the righteous there is favour.

Proverbs 15:21
Folly is joy to him that is destitute of wisdom: but a man of understanding walketh uprightly.

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Proverbs 26
1. observations about fools
13. about sluggards
17. and about contentious busybodies














so is the man
This phrase introduces a comparison, drawing a parallel between the preceding verses and the behavior of a particular type of person. In the Hebrew text, the word for "man" is "אִישׁ" (ish), which often denotes an individual with a certain character or role. Here, it emphasizes personal responsibility and the moral character of the individual being described. The use of "man" underscores the universality of the proverb's lesson, applicable to all people regardless of status or position.

who deceives
The Hebrew root for "deceives" is "רָמָה" (ramah), which means to beguile, mislead, or betray. This word conveys a sense of intentionality and malice, highlighting the deliberate nature of the deception. In the biblical context, deception is often associated with sin and moral failure, as it breaks trust and sows discord among people. The act of deceiving is not merely a social faux pas but a serious ethical breach that reflects a heart not aligned with God's truth.

his neighbor
The term "neighbor" in Hebrew is "רֵעַ" (rea), which can refer to a friend, companion, or fellow member of the community. This word choice emphasizes the close relationship and trust that should exist between individuals. In the biblical worldview, neighbors are to be loved and treated with respect, as seen in Leviticus 19:18, which commands, "Love your neighbor as yourself." Deceiving a neighbor, therefore, is a violation of this fundamental principle of love and community.

and says, 'I was only joking!'
This phrase captures the dismissive attitude of the deceiver, who attempts to downplay the seriousness of their actions by claiming it was all in jest. The Hebrew word for "joking" is "שָׂחַק" (sachaq), which can mean to laugh, mock, or play. This word choice suggests a trivialization of the harm caused, as if the deception were a mere game. In the biblical context, such an attitude is condemned because it reflects a lack of accountability and a failure to recognize the impact of one's words and actions on others.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
so
כֵּֽן־ (kên-)
Adverb
Strong's 3651: So -- thus

is the man
אִ֭ישׁ (’îš)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 376: A man as an individual, a male person

who deceives
רִמָּ֣ה (rim·māh)
Verb - Piel - Perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 7411: To hurl, to shoot, to delude, betray

his neighbor
רֵעֵ֑הוּ (rê·‘ê·hū)
Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 7453: Friend, companion, fellow

and says,
וְ֝אָמַ֗ר (wə·’ā·mar)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 559: To utter, say

“I
אָֽנִי׃ (’ā·nî)
Pronoun - first person common singular
Strong's 589: I

was only
הֲ‍ֽלֹא־ (hălō-)
Adverb - Negative particle
Strong's 3808: Not, no

joking!”
מְשַׂחֵ֥ק (mə·śa·ḥêq)
Verb - Piel - Participle - masculine singular
Strong's 7832: To laugh, to play


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OT Poetry: Proverbs 26:19 Is the man who deceives his neighbor (Prov. Pro Pr)
Proverbs 26:18
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