Mishle 10

1 0 The mishle (proverbs) of Sh’lomo. A ben chacham maketh glad an av, but a ben kesil is the grief of his em.

2 Otzarot resha profit nothing, but tzedakah (righteousness) saveth from mavet.

3 Hashem will not suffer the nefesh of the tzaddik to famish, but He thwarteth the craving of the resha’im.

4 He becometh poor that dealeth with a negligent palm, but the yad of the diligent maketh wealth.

5 He that gathereth in kayitz is a ben maskil (son of wisdom), but he that sleepeth in katzir (harvest) is a ben that causeth shame.

6 Brakhot are upon the head of the tzaddik, but chamas covereth the peh (mouth) of the resha’im.

7 The memory of the tzaddik is as bracha, but the shem resha’im shall rot.

8 The chacham lev will receive mitzvot, but one with foolish sfatayim (lips) shall be thrust down.

9 He that walketh uprightly walketh securely, but he that perverteth his drakhim shall be known.

10 He that winketh with the ayin causeth trouble, but one with foolish sfatayim shall come to ruin.

11 The peh (mouth) of a tzaddik is a Makor Chayyim, but chamas covereth the peh (mouth) of the resha’im.

12 Sin’ah (hatred) stirreth up medanim (dissensions), but ahavah covereth all peysha’im.

13 In the sfatayim (lips) of him that hath understanding chochmah is found, but a shevet (rod) is for the back of him that is devoid of lev [understanding].

14 Chachamim treasure up da’as (knowledge); but the peh (mouth) of the foolish is near destruction.

15 The oisher’s wealth is his strong city; the destruction of the poor ones is their poverty.

16 The wage of the tzaddik leadeth to Chayyim; the wage of the rashah is for chattat [Ro 6:23].

17 He is in the orach (path) of Chayyim that is shomer over musar, but he that abandoneth tokhakhat (reproof) goes astray.

18 He that hideth sin’ah with sfatayim sheker, and he that uttereth a slander, is a kesil (fool).

19 In the multitude of devarim there wanteth not sin, but he that restraineth his sfatayim (lips) is maskil (wise).

20 The lashon of the tzaddik is as choice kesef; the lev of the resha’im is of little worth.

21 The sfatayim (lips) of the tzaddik feed rabbim (many), but fools die for lack of lev [of chochmah].

22 The Birkat Hashem, it maketh wealthy, and He addeth no sorrow with it.

23 It is as sport to a kesil to do zimmah (evil design), but an ish tevunah (man of understanding) hath chochmah.

24 What the rashah dreads, it shall come upon him, but the ta’avat tzaddikim shall be granted.

25 As the whirlwind passeth, so is the rashah no more, but the tzaddik is a yesod olam (an everlasting foundation).

26 As chometz to the teeth, and as smoke to the eyes, so is the atzel (sluggard, lazy one) to them that send him.

27 The Yirat Hashem prolongeth yamim; but the shanot of the resha’im shall be cut short.

28 The prospect of the tzaddikim shall be simchah, but the tikveh of the resha’im shall perish.

29 The Derech Hashem is maoz to the blameless, but destruction shall be to the workers of iniquity.

30 The tzaddik shall never be removed, but the resha’im shall not inhabit Eretz.

31 The peh (mouth) of the tzaddik bringeth forth chochmah, but the lashon tahpukhot (tongue of perversion, distortion) shall be cut off.

32 The sfatayim (lips) of the tzaddik know what is ratzon (acceptable), but the peh (mouth) of the resha’im speaketh tahpukhot (perversity).

Mishle 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.