Proverbs 10:6-12

6 The blessing of God is over the head of a just man; but wickedness covereth the mouth of wicked men. (The blessing of God is upon the heads of the righteous; but wickedness covereth the mouths of the wicked.)

7 The mind of a just man shall be with praisings; and the name of wicked men shall wax rotten. (The righteous shall be remembered with praise/The memory of the righteous is blessed; but the names of the wicked shall grow rotten.)

8 A wise man shall receive commandments with heart (A wise person shall take commandments to heart); a fool is beaten with (his own) lips.

9 He that goeth simply, goeth trustily; but he that maketh shrewd his ways, shall be [made] open. (He who goeth with honesty, or with integrity, goeth with security; but he who maketh his ways depraved, shall be exposed.)

10 He that beckoneth with the eye, shall give sorrow; a fool shall be beaten with (his own) lips.

11 The vein of life is the mouth of a just man; but the mouth of wicked men covereth wickedness. (The words of the righteous be a fountain of life; but wickedness covereth the mouths of the wicked.)

12 Hatred raiseth up chidings; and charity covereth all sins. (Hatred raiseth up arguments, or strife; but love covereth all sins.)

Proverbs 10:6-12 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.