Proverbs 10:1-12

1 The Proverbs of Solomon. A wise son maketh a glad father; but a foolish son is the grief of his mother.

2 Treasures of wickedness profit nothing; but righteousness delivereth from death.

3 Jehovah suffereth not the soul of the righteous [man] to famish; but he repelleth the craving of the wicked.

4 He cometh to want that dealeth with a slack hand; but the hand of the diligent maketh rich.

5 He that gathereth in summer is a wise son; he that sleepeth in harvest is a son that causeth shame.

6 Blessings are upon the head of a righteous [man]; but the mouth of the wicked covereth violence.

7 The memory of the righteous [man] shall be blessed; but the name of the wicked shall rot.

8 The wise in heart receiveth commandments; but a prating fool shall fall.

9 He that walketh in integrity walketh securely; but he that perverteth his ways shall be known.

10 He that winketh with the eye causeth grief, and a prating fool shall fall.

11 The mouth of a righteous [man] is a fountain of life; but the mouth of the wicked covereth violence.

12 Hatred stirreth up strifes; but love covereth all transgressions.

Proverbs 10:1-12 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.

Footnotes

• [a]. Or 'but violence covereth the mouth of the wicked.'
• [b]. Lit. 'for a blessing.'
• [c]. Or 'confidently.'
• [d]. Lit. 'a fool of lips.' '
• [e]. See Note, ver. 6.