Proverbs 10

1 The proverbs of Solomon: A wise son makes his father happy, but a foolish son brings grief to his mother.

2 Treasures gained dishonestly profit no one, but righteousness rescues from death.

3 The LORD will not allow a righteous person to starve, but he intentionally ignores the desires of a wicked person.

4 Lazy hands bring poverty, but hard-working hands bring riches.

5 Whoever gathers in the summer is a wise son. Whoever sleeps at harvest time brings shame.

6 Blessings cover the head of a righteous person, but violence covers the mouths of wicked people.

7 The name of a righteous person remains blessed, but the names of wicked people will rot away.

8 The one who is truly wise accepts commands, but the one who talks foolishly will be thrown down headfirst.

9 Whoever lives honestly will live securely, but whoever lives dishonestly will be found out.

10 Whoever winks with his eye causes heartache. The one who talks foolishly will be thrown down headfirst.

11 The mouth of a righteous person is a fountain of life, but the mouths of wicked people conceal violence.

12 Hate starts quarrels, but love covers every wrong.

13 Wisdom is found on the lips of a person who has understanding, but a rod is for the back of one without sense.

14 Those who are wise store up knowledge, but the mouth of a stubborn fool invites ruin.

15 The rich person's wealth is [his] strong city. Poverty ruins the poor.

16 A righteous person's reward is life. A wicked person's harvest is sin.

17 Whoever practices discipline is on the way to life, but whoever ignores a warning strays.

18 Whoever conceals hatred has lying lips. Whoever spreads slander is a fool.

19 Sin is unavoidable when there is much talk, but whoever seals his lips is wise.

20 The tongue of a righteous person is pure silver. The hearts of wicked people are worthless.

21 The lips of a righteous person feed many, but stubborn fools die because they have no sense.

22 It is the LORD's blessing that makes a person rich, and hard work adds nothing to it.

23 Like the laughter of a fool when he carries out an evil plan, so is wisdom to a person who has understanding.

24 That which wicked people dread happens to them, but [the LORD] grants the desire of righteous people.

25 When the storm has passed, the wicked person has vanished, but the righteous person has an everlasting foundation.

26 Like vinegar to the teeth, like smoke to the eyes, so is the lazy person to those who send him [on a mission].

27 The fear of the LORD lengthens [the number of] days, but the years of wicked people are shortened.

28 The hope of righteous people [leads to] joy, but the eager waiting of wicked people comes to nothing.

29 The way of the LORD is a fortress for an innocent person but a ruin to those who are troublemakers.

30 A righteous person will never be moved, but wicked people will not continue to live in the land.

31 The mouth of a righteous person increases wisdom, but a devious tongue will be cut off.

32 The lips of a righteous person announce good will, but the mouths of wicked people are devious.

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.