Proverbs 10:23-32

23 To a fool, vileness is like a game, as is wisdom to a person of discernment.

24 What a fool dreads will overtake him, but the righteous will be given his desire.

25 When the storm has passed, the wicked are gone; but the righteous are firmly established forever.

26 Like vinegar to the teeth and smoke to the eyes is a lazy person to his employer.

27 The fear of ADONAI adds length to life, but the years of the wicked are cut short.

28 What the righteous hope for will end in joy; what the wicked expect will come to nothing.

29 The way of ADONAI is a stronghold to the upright but ruin to those who do evil.

30 The righteous will never be moved, 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 wanted, but the mouth of the wicked [knows] deceit.

Proverbs 10:23-32 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.