Proverbs 10:10-20

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.)
13 Wisdom is found in the lips of a wise man; and a rod in the back of him that is needy of heart. (Wisdom is found on the lips of the wise; and a rod on the back of him who is foolish.)
14 Wise men hide knowing (The wise store up knowledge); but the mouth of a fool is next to confusion.
15 The chattel of a rich man is the city of his strength; the dread of poor men is the neediness of them. (The substance of a rich man is his strong city; the fear of the poor is their own neediness.)
16 The work of a just man is to life; but the fruit of a wicked man is to sin. (The work of a good person serveth unto life; but the fruit of the wicked is sin.)
17 The way of life is to him that keepeth chastising; but he that forsaketh blamings, erreth. (The way of life is for him who receiveth discipline; but he who forsaketh rebukes, erreth.)
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.)

Proverbs 10:10-20 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.

Copyright © 2001 by Terence P. Noble. For personal use only.