Proverbs 10

1 parabolae Salomonis filius sapiens laetificat patrem filius vero stultus maestitia est matris suae

2 non proderunt thesauri impietatis iustitia vero liberabit a morte

3 non adfliget Dominus fame animam iusti et insidias impiorum subvertet

4 egestatem operata est manus remissa manus autem fortium divitias parat

5 qui congregat in messe filius sapiens est qui autem stertit aestate filius confusionis

6 benedictio super caput iusti os autem impiorum operit iniquitatem

7 memoria iusti cum laudibus et nomen impiorum putrescet

8 sapiens corde praecepta suscipiet stultus caeditur labiis

9 qui ambulat simpliciter ambulat confidenter qui autem depravat vias suas manifestus erit

10 qui annuit oculo dabit dolorem stultus labiis verberabitur

11 vena vitae os iusti et os impiorum operiet iniquitatem

12 odium suscitat rixas et universa delicta operit caritas

13 in labiis sapientis invenietur sapientia et virga in dorso eius qui indiget corde

14 sapientes abscondunt scientiam os autem stulti confusioni proximum est

15 substantia divitis urbs fortitudinis eius pavor pauperum egestas eorum

16 opus iusti ad vitam fructus impii ad peccatum

17 via vitae custodienti disciplinam qui autem increpationes relinquit errat

18 abscondunt odium labia mendacia qui profert contumeliam insipiens est

19 in multiloquio peccatum non deerit qui autem moderatur labia sua prudentissimus est

20 argentum electum lingua iusti cor impiorum pro nihilo

21 labia iusti erudiunt plurimos qui autem indocti sunt in cordis egestate morientur

22 benedictio Domini divites facit nec sociabitur ei adflictio

23 quasi per risum stultus operatur scelus sapientia autem est viro prudentia

24 quod timet impius veniet super eum desiderium suum iustis dabitur

25 quasi tempestas transiens non erit impius iustus autem quasi fundamentum sempiternum

26 sicut acetum dentibus et fumus oculis sic piger his qui miserunt eum

27 timor Domini adponet dies et anni impiorum breviabuntur

28 expectatio iustorum laetitia spes autem impiorum peribit

29 fortitudo simplicis via Domini et pavor his qui operantur malum

30 iustus in aeternum non commovebitur impii autem non habitabunt in terram

31 os iusti parturiet sapientiam lingua pravorum peribit

32 labia iusti considerant placita et os impiorum perversa

Proverbs 10 Commentary

Chapter 10

Through the whole of the Proverbs, we are to look for somewhat beyond the first sense the passage may imply, and this we shall find to be Christ. He is the Wisdom so often spoken of in this book.

Verse 1 The comfort of parents much depends on their children; and ( proverbs 10:2-3 ) the righteous may be poor, the Lord will not suffer him to want what is needful for spiritual life. Verse 4 . Those who are fervent in spirit, serving the Lord, are likely to be rich in faith, and rich in good works. Verse 5 . Here is just blame of those who trifle away opportunities, both for here and for hereafter. Verse 6 . Abundance of blessings shall abide on good men; real blessings. Verse 7 . Both the just and the wicked must die; but between their souls there is a vast difference. Verse 8 . The wise in heart puts his knowledge in practice. Verse 9 . Dissemblers, after all their shuffling, will be exposed. Verse 10 . Trick and artifice will be no excuse for iniquity. Verse 11 . The good man's mouth is always open to teach, comfort, and correct others. Verse 12 . Where there is hatred, every thing stirs up strife. By bearing with each other, peace and harmony are preserved. Verse 13 . Those that foolishly go on in wicked ways, prepare rods for themselves. Verse 14 . Whatever knowledge may be useful, we must lay it up, that it may not be to seek when we want it. The wise gain this wisdom by reading, by hearing the word, by meditation, by prayer, by faith in Christ, who is made of God unto us wisdom. Verse 15 . This refers to the common mistakes both of rich and poor, as to their outward condition. Rich people's wealth exposes them to many dangers; while a poor man may live comfortably, if he is content, keeps a good conscience, and lives by faith. Verse 16 . Perhaps a righteous man has no more than what he works hard for, but that labour tends to life. Verse 17 . The traveller that has missed his way, and cannot bear to be told of it, and to be shown the right way, must err still. Verse 18 . He is especially a fool who thinks to hide anything from God; and malice is no better. Verse 19 . Those that speak much, speak much amiss. He that checks himself is a wise ( proverbs 10:20-21 ) the just is sincere, freed from the dross of guile and evil design. Pious discourse is spiritual food to the needy. Fools die for want of a heart, so the word is; for want of thought. Verse 22 . That wealth which is truly desirable, has no vexation of spirit in the enjoyment; no grief for the loss; no guilt by the abuse of it. What comes from the love of God, has the grace of God for its companion. Verse 23 . Only foolish and wicked men divert themselves with doing harm to others, or tempting to sin. Verse 24 . The largest desire of eternal blessings the righteous can form, will be granted. Verse 25 . The course of prosperous sinners is like a whirlwind, which soon spends itself, and is gone. Verse 26 . As vinegar sets the teeth on edge, and as the smoke causes the eyes ( proverbs 10:27-28 ) is he that loves life? Let him fear God, and that will secure to him life enough in this world, and eternal life in the other. Verse 29 . The believer grows stronger in faith, and obeys with increased delight. Verse 30 . The wicked would be glad to have this earth their home for ever, but it cannot be so. They must die ( proverbs 10:31-32 ) wisely for the benefit of others. But it is the sin, and will be the ruin of a wicked man, that he speaks what is displeasing to God, and provoking to those he converses with. The righteous is kept by the power of God; and nothing shall be able to separate him from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus.

Chapter Summary

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.