Proverbs 10:22-32

22 The blessing of the Lord makes rich, and he adds no sorrow with it.
23 Doing wrong is like sport to a fool, but wise conduct is pleasure to a person of understanding.
24 What the wicked dread will come upon them, but the desire of the righteous will be granted.
25 When the tempest passes, the wicked are no more, but the righteous are established forever.
26 Like vinegar to the teeth, and smoke to the eyes, so are the lazy to their employers.
27 The fear of the Lord prolongs life, but the years of the wicked will be short.
28 The hope of the righteous ends in gladness, but the expectation of the wicked comes to nothing.
29 The way of the Lord is a stronghold for the upright, but destruction for evildoers.
30 The righteous will never be removed, but the wicked will not remain in the land.
31 The mouth of the righteous brings forth wisdom, but the perverse tongue will be cut off.
32 The lips of the righteous know what is acceptable, but the mouth of the wicked what is perverse.

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 1

  • [a]. Or [and toil adds nothing to it]
New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright 1989, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.