Proverbs 10:13-23

13 Wisdom is found on the lips of him who has discernment, But a rod is for the back of him who is void of understanding.

14 Wise men lay up knowledge, But the mouth of the foolish is near ruin.

15 The rich man's wealth is his strong city. The destruction of the poor is their poverty.

16 The labor of the righteous leads to life. The increase of the wicked leads to sin.

17 He is in the way of life who heeds correction, But he who forsakes reproof leads others astray.

18 He who hides hatred has lying lips. He who utters a slander is a fool.

19 In the multitude of words there is no lack of disobedience, But he who restrains his lips does wisely.

20 The tongue of the righteous is like choice silver. The heart of the wicked is of little worth.

21 The lips of the righteous feed many, But the foolish die for lack of understanding.

22 The blessing of the LORD brings wealth, And he adds no trouble to it.

23 It is a fool's pleasure to do wickedness, But wisdom is a man of understanding's pleasure.

Proverbs 10:13-23 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.