Proverbs 10:18-28

18 False lips hide hatred; he that bringeth forth despising is unwise.

19 Sin shall not fail in much speaking; but he that measureth his lips, is most prudent. (Sin shall abound with much speaking; but he who ruleth his lips, is most prudent.)

20 Chosen silver is the tongue of a just man; the heart of wicked men is for nought. (Like chosen silver is the tongue of a righteous person; but the hearts of the wicked be worth nothing.)

21 The lips of a just man teach full many men; but they that be unlearned shall die in neediness of heart. (The lips of the righteous teach a great many people; but they who be ignorant, shall die without any understanding.)

22 The blessing of the Lord maketh rich men (The blessing of the Lord maketh people rich); and torment shall not be fellowshipped to them.

23 A fool worketh wickedness as by laughing; but wisdom is prudence to a man/but prudence is to a wise man. (A fool worketh wickedness with laughter; but wisdom is a delight to those with understanding.)

24 That that a wicked man dreadeth, shall come [up]on him; the desire of just men shall be given to them. (That which the wicked fear, shall come upon them; and the desire of the righteous shall be given to them.)

25 As a tempest passing, a wicked man shall not be; but a just man shall be as an everlasting foundament. (Like a tempest passing by, a wicked person shall soon not be; but the foundations of the righteous be everlasting.)

26 As vinegar harmeth the teeth, and smoke harmeth the eyes; so a slow man harmeth them that sent him in the way. (Like vinegar harmeth the teeth, and smoke harmeth the eyes; so a lazy man harmeth those who sent him on the way.)

27 The dread of the Lord increaseth days; and the years of wicked men shall be made short. (The fear of the Lord/Reverence for the Lord increaseth days; and the years of the wicked shall be made short.)

28 Abiding of just men is gladness; but the hope of wicked men shall perish. (Hopeful waiting by the righteous shall lead to gladness; but all the hopes of the wicked shall perish.)

Proverbs 10:18-28 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.