Proverbs 10:13-23

13 In the lips of an intelligent [man] wisdom is found; but a rod is for the back of him that is void of understanding.
14 The wise lay up knowledge; but the mouth of the fool is near destruction.
15 The rich man's wealth is his strong city; the destruction of the poor is their poverty.
16 The labour of a righteous [man] [tendeth] to life; the revenue of a wicked [man], to sin.
17 Keeping instruction is the path to life; but he that forsaketh reproof goeth astray.
18 He that covereth hatred hath lying lips, and he that sendeth forth a slander is a fool.
19 In the multitude of words there wanteth not transgression; but he that restraineth his lips doeth wisely.
20 The tongue of the righteous [man] is [as] choice silver; the heart of the wicked is little worth.
21 The lips of a righteous [man] feed many; but fools die for want of understanding.
22 The blessing of Jehovah, it maketh rich, and he addeth no sorrow to it.
23 It is as sport to a foolish [man] to do wickedness; but a man of understanding hath wisdom.

Proverbs 10:13-23 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 7

  • [a]. Or 'is imminent destruction.'
  • [b]. 'Reduced,' 'exhausted,' or 'helpless,' ch. 28.3; 'weaker,' as 2Sam. 3.1.
  • [c]. Chattaah: see Note, Zech. 14.19.
  • [d]. Or 'discipline.'
  • [e]. Kesil: see Note o, ch. 1.7.
  • [f]. Or 'toil addeth nothing to it.'
  • [g]. Or 'to commit infamy.'
The Darby Translation is in the public domain.