so is a person ¹  who deceives his neighbor, and says, “Was I not only joking?” ² 

biblegateway Pro 26:19

So is the man who deceives his neighbor, And says, "Was I not joking?"

so is the man who deceives his neighbor and says, "I was only joking!"

so is the person who tricks his neighbor and says, "I was only joking!"

biblegateway Pro 26:19

is a man who deceives his neighbour and says, "I was only joking!"

is the man who deceives his neighbor and says, "I am only joking!"

bibleoremus Pro 26:19

so is one who deceives a neighbor and says, "I am only joking!"

so is the man who deceives another and then says, “It was only a joke.”

biblegateway Pro 26:19

Is the man who deceives his neighbor, And says, "I was only joking!"

So [is] the man [that] deceiveth his neighbour, and saith, Am not I in sport?

biblegateway Pro 26:19

so is a person ¹  who deceives his neighbor, and says, “Was I not only joking?” ² 

¹ tn Heb “man.”

² sn The subject of this proverb is not simply a deceiver, but one who does so out of jest, or at least who claims he was joking afterward. The participle מְשַׂחֵק has the idea of “laughing, mocking”; in this context it might convey the idea of “kidding” or “joking.” The point is that such practical joking is immature and often dangerous. To the foolish deceiver it might all seem like fun, like sport; but it can destroy people. One cannot trifle with dangerous weapons, or put them in irresponsible hands; likewise one cannot trifle with human relationships. W. G. Plaut notes, “The only worthwhile humor is that which laughs with, not at others” (Proverbs, 270).