Proverbs 10:13-23

13 In the lips of the intelligent is wisdom found, And a rod [is] for the back of him who is lacking understanding.
14 The wise lay up knowledge, and the mouth of a fool [is] near ruin.
15 The wealth of the rich [is] his strong city, The ruin of the poor [is] their poverty.
16 The wage of the righteous [is] for life, The increase of the wicked for sin.
17 A traveller to life [is] he who is keeping instruction, And whoso is forsaking rebuke is erring.
18 Whoso is covering hatred with lying lips, And whoso is bringing out an evil report is a fool.
19 In the abundance of words transgression ceaseth not, And whoso is restraining his lips [is] wise.
20 The tongue of the righteous [is] chosen silver, The heart of the wicked -- as a little thing.
21 The lips of the righteous delight many, And fools for lack of heart die.
22 The blessing of Jehovah -- it maketh rich, And He addeth no grief with it.
23 To execute inventions [is] as play to a fool, And wisdom to a man of understanding.

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.

Young's Literal Translation is in the public domain.