Proverbs 10:11-21

11 The words of a good person give life, like a fountain of water, but the words of the wicked contain nothing but violence.

12 Hatred stirs up trouble, but love forgives all wrongs.

13 Smart people speak wisely, but people without wisdom should be punished.

14 The wise don't tell everything they know, but the foolish talk too much and are ruined.

15 Having lots of money protects the rich, but having no money destroys the poor.

16 Good people are rewarded with life, but evil people are paid with punishment.

17 Whoever accepts correction is on the way to life, but whoever ignores correction will lead others away from life.

18 Whoever hides hate is a liar. Whoever tells lies is a fool.

19 If you talk a lot, you are sure to sin; if you are wise, you will keep quiet.

20 The words of a good person are like pure silver, but an evil person's thoughts are worth very little.

21 Good people's words will help many others, but fools will die because they don't have wisdom.

Proverbs 10:11-21 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.