Proverbs 13:19 kjv

The desire accomplished is sweet to the soul: but it is abomination to fools to depart from evil.

Proverbs 13:19 nkjv

A desire accomplished is sweet to the soul, But it is an abomination to fools to depart from evil.

Proverbs 13:19 niv

A longing fulfilled is sweet to the soul, but fools detest turning from evil.

Proverbs 13:19 esv

A desire fulfilled is sweet to the soul, but to turn away from evil is an abomination to fools.

Proverbs 13:19 nlt

It is pleasant to see dreams come true,
but fools refuse to turn from evil to attain them.

Proverbs 13 verses

Proverbs 13 19 Meaning

Proverbs 13:19 presents a clear antithesis regarding human desires and moral inclination. The first part highlights the profound satisfaction and inner peace experienced when a righteous or worthy aspiration is achieved, describing it as a "sweetness to the soul." The second part reveals the deep moral perversion of a "fool" who finds the very act of abandoning evil, which is inherently good and life-giving, utterly repulsive and detestable. This contrast underscores that what brings joy and fulfillment to the wise and upright is considered an "abomination" by those whose hearts are set on wickedness.

Proverbs 13 19 Context

Proverbs chapter 13, like many chapters in the book, consists of a collection of disconnected yet thematically related maxims that frequently contrast the wise and the foolish, the righteous and the wicked, and the consequences of their actions and choices. Key themes include the power of words, the value of diligence, the danger of idleness, the fleeting nature of ill-gotten wealth, the importance of discipline, and the profound difference between the paths of righteousness and wickedness. Verse 19 directly engages this central theme of antithesis by illustrating how the deepest longings and moral dispositions differ starkly between the discerning and the defiant fool. It speaks to an internal state, how different realities (fulfillment of desire vs. forsaking evil) are perceived and experienced, highlighting the heart's alignment (or misalignment) with wisdom and righteousness.

Proverbs 13 19 Word analysis

• A desire: Hebrew: תַּאֲוָה (ta'avah). This word signifies a longing, craving, or appetite. While often used in the negative sense for "lust" or "inordinate desire" (e.g., Num 11:4, Ps 78:30), here it is used neutrally or positively, implying a legitimate or even righteous longing. The context suggests a good, perhaps even God-given, desire.
• fulfilled: Hebrew: הַגָּלְלָה (haggal·lāh). Derived from the root גָּלַל (galal), meaning "to roll." This can imply "rolled away" (as a stone from a well), or figuratively "accomplished," "brought to completion," or "realized." It speaks of the successful realization or achievement of a strong longing.
• is sweet: Hebrew: מָתוֹק (matoq). Literally "sweet." This metaphor conveys delight, pleasantness, profound satisfaction, and enjoyment. It denotes an experience of inner joy and contentment.
• to the soul: Hebrew: לַנֶּפֶשׁ (lan·ne·p̄eš). נֶפֶשׁ (nephesh) often translated "soul," can refer to the entire being, life force, or inner self. Here, it indicates deep, internal gratification and refreshment, going beyond mere external pleasure to touch the very core of a person.
• but it is an abomination: Hebrew: תּוֹעֵבָה (to'evah). This term denotes something detestable, repulsive, or abhorrent, particularly in a moral or religious sense, implying what is contrary to God's standards. It signifies ultimate disgust or hatred.
• to fools: Hebrew: לַכְּסִילִים (lakkesilîm). From כְּסִיל (kesil), referring to a dullard, a stubborn, dense fool who lacks moral understanding and spiritual perception. Unlike אֱוִיל (evil - simpleton) or לֵץ (lets - scoffer), kesil is characterized by moral deficiency and resistance to wisdom, often to his own detriment.
• to depart from evil: Hebrew: סוּר מֵרָע (sur me-ra'). סוּר (sur) means "to turn aside," "to deviate," "to depart." רָע (ra') means "evil," "bad," "wickedness," "harm." This phrase signifies repentance, moral reformation, turning away from harmful actions and lifestyles, or choosing righteousness over wrongdoing. For the kesil, this foundational moral act is found utterly repugnant.

Words-group analysis

• A desire fulfilled is sweet to the soul: This phrase beautifully captures the profound inner satisfaction and well-being that results from the realization of a cherished, often righteous, longing or ambition. It implies an aligning of a person's inner yearning with external reality, bringing deep contentment and peace. This reflects the order God intends, where right desires lead to good outcomes and inner harmony.
• but it is an abomination to fools to depart from evil: This contrasting clause highlights the perversity of the fool's nature. What is objectively good and necessary for life (turning from evil) is viewed as detestable. The fool's moral compass is so inverted that genuine goodness is offensive, possibly because it means abandoning their chosen path of sin or comfort in disobedience. They reject the path of wisdom and repentance, clinging to what is harmful.

Proverbs 13 19 Bonus section

The word "ta'avah" (desire) itself is quite significant. While in this proverb it takes on a positive nuance (referring to a good or appropriate desire that, when fulfilled, brings spiritual sweetness), in many other Old Testament contexts, ta'avah carries a negative connotation, often translated as "lust" or "coveting." For example, the Israelites in the wilderness craved meat in Numbers 11:4, 34, a craving that was a "ta'avah" and brought judgment. This usage in Proverbs 13:19 highlights the importance of the nature of the desire itself – that not all desires lead to sweetness. The sweetness to the soul implies a desire that aligns with wisdom and righteousness, bringing contentment rather than fleeting pleasure leading to regret. It contrasts with the "lusts of the flesh" found in the New Testament (1 Jn 2:16) which war against the soul (1 Pet 2:11). The fool’s problem is not just that he finds turning from evil abhorrent, but that his underlying desires are themselves skewed toward wickedness.

Proverbs 13 19 Commentary

Proverbs 13:19 presents a powerful truth about the human heart, bifurcating humanity into two camps based on their relationship to desire and morality. The first part, "A desire fulfilled is sweet to the soul," speaks to the universal human experience of gratification. When a worthy goal is attained or a deep yearning realized, it brings profound joy and peace that settles within one's very being. This fulfillment is not merely superficial pleasure but touches the "soul," indicating a spiritual and emotional well-being that resonates with God's design for human flourishing, especially when these desires align with His will (Ps 37:4).

In stark contrast, the second half of the verse, "but it is an abomination to fools to depart from evil," exposes the core tragedy of folly. A "fool" (kesil) in Proverbs is not simply ignorant but willfully resistant to wisdom and divine instruction. For such an individual, the concept of turning away from wickedness is not only unappealing but utterly repugnant. This is an "abomination" – something truly hateful and disgusting to them. This inversion reveals their spiritual blindness; they are so deeply entrenched in their self-serving desires and sinful ways that repentance and righteous living feel like an assault on their identity and "comfort." To depart from evil would mean surrendering the temporary pleasures or perceived advantages that their evil choices afford them. They despise the light (Jn 3:19-20), preferring their darkness, and thus find the path to life offensive, remaining stuck in their destructive ways (Pr 10:23, 14:16). The verse therefore functions as a warning and a stark delineator of character, emphasizing the joy of righteousness against the inherent perversity and inevitable self-destruction of persistent folly.