Proverbs 10:1-11

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

2 Ill-gotten treasures have no lasting value, but righteousness delivers from death.

3 The LORD does not let the righteous go hungry, but he thwarts the craving of the wicked.

4 Lazy hands make for poverty, but diligent hands bring wealth.

5 He who gathers crops in summer is a prudent son, but he who sleeps during harvest is a disgraceful son.

6 Blessings crown the head of the righteous, but violence overwhelms the mouth of the wicked.^[a]

7 The name of the righteous is used in blessings,^[b] but the name of the wicked will rot.

8 The wise in heart accept commands, but a chattering fool comes to ruin.

9 Whoever walks in integrity walks securely, but whoever takes crooked paths will be found out.

10 Whoever winks maliciously causes grief, and a chattering fool comes to ruin.

11 The mouth of the righteous is a fountain of life, but the mouth of the wicked conceals violence.

Proverbs 10:1-11 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.

Cross References

• 1. S 1 Kings 4:32
• 2. S Proverbs 1:1
• 3. Proverbs 15:20; Proverbs 17:21; Proverbs 19:13; Proverbs 23:22-25; Proverbs 27:11; Proverbs 29:3
• 4. Proverbs 13:11; Proverbs 21:6
• 5. ver 16; Proverbs 11:4,19; Proverbs 12:28
• 6. Matthew 6:25-34
• 7. Proverbs 13:25
• 8. Proverbs 6:6-8; Proverbs 19:15; Proverbs 24:30-34
• 9. Proverbs 12:24; Proverbs 13:4; Proverbs 21:5
• 10. Proverbs 24:30-34
• 11. ver 8,11,14; Proverbs 12:13; Proverbs 13:3; Ecclesiastes 10:12
• 12. S Psalms 112:6
• 13. S Job 18:17; S Psalms 109:13
• 14. S Job 18:17; Psalms 9:6
• 15. ver 14; S Job 33:33; Matthew 7:24-27
• 16. S Psalms 25:21; Isaiah 33:15
• 17. S Psalms 37:24; Psalms 23:4
• 18. Proverbs 28:18
• 19. S Psalms 35:19
• 20. ver 27; Psalms 37:30; S Proverbs 3:18; S Proverbs 4:23; Proverbs 11:30; Proverbs 13:12,14,19; Proverbs 14:27; Proverbs 15:4; Proverbs 16:22
• 21. S ver 6

Footnotes

• [a]. Or "righteous, / but the mouth of the wicked conceals violence"
• [b]. See Gen. 48:20.