Proverbs 10:4-14

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.

12 Hatred stirs up conflict, but love covers over all wrongs.

13 Wisdom is found on the lips of the discerning, but a rod is for the back of one who has no sense.

14 The wise store up knowledge, but the mouth of a fool invites ruin.

Proverbs 10:4-14 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. Proverbs 6:6-8; Proverbs 19:15; Proverbs 24:30-34
• 2. Proverbs 12:24; Proverbs 13:4; Proverbs 21:5
• 3. Proverbs 24:30-34
• 4. ver 8,11,14; Proverbs 12:13; Proverbs 13:3; Ecclesiastes 10:12
• 5. S Psalms 112:6
• 6. S Job 18:17; S Psalms 109:13
• 7. S Job 18:17; Psalms 9:6
• 8. ver 14; S Job 33:33; Matthew 7:24-27
• 9. S Psalms 25:21; Isaiah 33:15
• 10. S Psalms 37:24; Psalms 23:4
• 11. Proverbs 28:18
• 12. S Psalms 35:19
• 13. 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
• 14. S ver 6
• 15. Proverbs 17:9; 1 Corinthians 13:4-7; 1 Peter 4:8
• 16. ver 31; S Psalms 37:30; Proverbs 15:7
• 17. S Deuteronomy 25:2; Proverbs 14:3; Proverbs 26:3
• 18. Proverbs 11:13; Proverbs 12:23
• 19. S ver 6; S Psalms 59:12; S Proverbs 14:3; Proverbs 18:6,7; S Matthew 12:37

Footnotes

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