Proverbs 10:3-13

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

4 Idle hands bring poverty; diligent hands bring wealth.

5 A sensible person gathers in summer, but he who sleeps during harvest is an embarrassment.

6 Blessings are for the head of the righteous, but the speech of the wicked is a cover for violence.

7 The memory of the righteous will be for a blessing, but the reputation of the wicked will rot.

8 Wise-hearted people take orders, but a babbling fool will have trouble.

9 He who walks purely walks securely, but he who walks in crooked ways will be found out.

10 He who winks his eye [instead of rebuking] causes pain, yet a babbling fool will have trouble.

11 The speech of the righteous is a fountain of life, but the speech of the wicked is a cover for violence.

12 Hate stirs up disputes, but love covers all kinds of transgressions.

13 On the lips of the intelligent is found wisdom, but a stick is in store for the back of a fool.

Proverbs 10:3-13 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.