9 Better to be lightly esteemed yet have a servant, than to be self-important but lack food.
Focused Passage
Proverbs 12:9
Discipline, Truthful Speech, Diligence, and the Stable Root of the Righteous
The chapter moves through moral contrasts around discipline, stability, household life, prudence, work, speech, counsel, truth, peace, diligence, anxiety, friendship, and the life-giving path of righteousness.
Berean Standard Bible, Public Domain - Translation notes - Reference sources
Study Helps
References and Original Words
Verse 9
Original words
Better ט֣וֹב H2896 Adjective - masculine singular to be lightly esteemed נִ֭קְלֶה H7034 Verb - Nifal - Participle - masculine singular yet have a servant וְעֶ֣בֶד H5650 Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular than to be self-important מִ֝מְּתַכַּבֵּ֗ד H3513 Preposition-m | Verb - Hitpael - Participle - masculine singular but lack וַחֲסַר־ H2638 Conjunctive waw | Adjective - masculine singular construct food לָֽחֶם׃ H3899 Noun - masculine singular