Proverbs 10:15-25

15 Wealth protects the rich; poverty destroys the poor.
16 The reward for doing good is life, but sin leads only to more sin.
17 People who listen when they are corrected will live, but those who will not admit that they are wrong are in danger.
18 Anyone who hides hatred is a liar. Anyone who spreads gossip is a fool.
19 The more you talk, the more likely you are to sin. If you are wise, you will keep quiet.
20 A good person's words are like pure silver; a wicked person's ideas are worthless.
21 A good person's words will benefit many people, but you can kill yourself with stupidity.
22 It is the Lord's blessing that makes you wealthy. Hard work can make you no richer.
23 It is foolish to enjoy doing wrong. Intelligent people take pleasure in wisdom.
24 The righteous get what they want, but the wicked will get what they fear most.
25 Storms come, and the wicked are blown away, but honest people are always safe.

Proverbs 10:15-25 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.

Footnotes 1

  • [a]. Hard work . . . richer; [or] And the Lord does not add sorrow to your wealth.
Scripture taken from the Good News Translation - Second Edition, Copyright 1992 by American Bible Society. Used by Permission.