Proverbs 10:1-10

1 A wise son makes father glad: but a foolish son is a grief to his mother.

2 Treasures shall not profit the lawless: but righteousness shall deliver from death.

3 The Lord will not famish a righteous soul: but he will overthrow the life of the ungodly.

4 Poverty brings a man low: but the hands of the vigorous make rich. A son who is instructed shall be wise, and shall use the fool for a servant.

5 A wise son is saved from heat: but a lawless son is blighted of the winds in harvest.

6 The blessing of the Lord is upon the head of the just: but untimely grief shall cover the mouth of the ungodly.

7 The memory of the just is praised; but the name of the ungodly is extinguished.

8 A wise man in heart will receive commandments; but he that is unguarded in his lips shall be overthrown in his perverseness.

9 He that walks simply, walks confidently; but he that perverts his ways shall be known.

10 He that winks with his eyes deceitfully, procures griefs for men; but he that reproves boldly is a peacemaker.

Proverbs 10:1-10 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.