Proverbs 10:22-32

22 The Lord's blessing enriches,[a] and struggle adds nothing to it.[b]
23 As shameful conduct is pleasure for a fool, so wisdom is for a man of understanding.[c]
24 What the wicked dreads will come to him,[d] but what the righteous desires will be given to him.[e]
25 When the whirlwind passes, the wicked are no more,[f] but the righteous are secure forever.[g]
26 Like vinegar to the teeth and smoke to the eyes,[h] so the slacker is to the one who sends him [on an errand].
27 The fear of the Lord prolongs life,[i] but the years of the wicked are cut short.[j]
28 The hope of the righteous is joy, but the expectation of the wicked comes to nothing.[k]
29 The way of the Lord is a stronghold for the honorable, but destruction awaits the malicious.[l]
30 The righteous will never be shaken, but the wicked will not remain on the earth.[m]
31 The mouth of the righteous produces wisdom, but a perverse tongue will be cut out.[n]
32 The lips of the righteous know what is appropriate, but the mouth of the wicked, [only] what is perverse.[o]

Proverbs 10:22-32 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO PROVERBS 10

From this chapter to the "twenty fifth" are various proverbial sentences, without any very apparent connection or coherence with each other; describing righteous and wicked men; setting forth their different temper, conduct, and actions, and the fruits and effects of them. It should be observed, that frequently in the preceding chapters two persons are represented as women; one goes by the name of "Wisdom", the other is called the "foolish" woman and a "harlot"; the former is clearly to be understood of Christ; and the latter, being opposed to him, must be antichrist, the whore of Rome, and mother of harlots: now in the following part of this book two sorts of persons are spoken of; the one as wise, righteous, good and the other as foolish, wicked, &c. who are no other than the followers of Christ and antichrist; which observation is a key to the whole book.

Footnotes 15

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