Proverbs 10:9-19

9 He who walks with integrity walks securely, But he who perverts his ways will become known.

10 He who winks with the eye causes trouble, But a prating fool will fall.

11 The mouth of the righteous is a well of life, But violence covers the mouth of the wicked.

12 Hatred stirs up strife, But love covers all sins.

13 Wisdom is found on the lips of him who has understanding, But a rod is for the back of him who is devoid of understanding.

14 Wise people store up knowledge, But the mouth of the foolish is near destruction.

15 The rich man's wealth is his strong city; The destruction of the poor is their poverty.

16 The labor of the righteous leads to life, The wages of the wicked to sin.

17 He who keeps instruction is in the way of life, But he who refuses correction goes astray.

18 Whoever hides hatred has lying lips, And whoever spreads slander is a fool.

19 In the multitude of words sin is not lacking, But he who restrains his lips is wise.

Proverbs 10:9-19 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.