9Better 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
Betterט֣וֹבH2896Adjective - masculine singularto be lightly esteemedנִ֭קְלֶהH7034Verb - Nifal - Participle - masculine singularyet have a servantוְעֶ֣בֶדH5650Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singularthan to be self-importantמִ֝מְּתַכַּבֵּ֗דH3513Preposition-m | Verb - Hitpael - Participle - masculine singularbut lackוַחֲסַר־H2638Conjunctive waw | Adjective - masculine singular constructfoodלָֽחֶם׃H3899Noun - masculine singular