Proverbs 19:20 Meaning and Explanation
“Hear counsel, and receive instruction, that thou mayest be wise in thy latter end.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →Listen to wise counsel now so that you flourish in old age.
The Context of Proverbs 19:20
A lifetime of learning and counsel leads to wisdom in old age.
What Does Proverbs 19:20 Mean?
Wisdom is not instantaneous; it develops over a lifetime through listening, learning, and applying instruction. The verse calls you to 'hear counsel'—to actually listen when others speak wisdom—and to 'receive instruction,' not merely hear it but take it in, incorporate it. The payoff extends to your 'latter end,' your old age.
By the time you reach old age, the years of receiving instruction will have accumulated into wisdom and flourishing. Conversely, a person who ignores counsel in youth arrives at old age filled with regret and hardship. The verse invites you to invest now in listening and learning so that your later years are marked not by decline alone but by the dignity and peace that comes from a lifetime of wisdom.
Proverbs 19:20 in the Original Language
Etzah (עֵצָה), 'counsel' — advice, the wisdom of others; listening to good counsel is how you gain perspective beyond your own limited view.
Frequently Asked Questions About Proverbs 19:20
What does Proverbs 19:20 mean?
Listen to wise counsel now so that you flourish in old age.
What is the context of Proverbs 19:20?
A lifetime of learning and counsel leads to wisdom in old age.