Proverbs 10

1 A wise son maketh the father glad: but a foolish son is the sorrow of his mother.

2 Treasures of wickedness shall profit nothing: but justice shall deliver from death.

3 The Lord will not afflict the soul of the just with famine, and he will disappoint the deceitful practices of the wicked.

4 The slothful hand hath wrought poverty: but the hand of the industrious getteth riches. He that trusteth to lies feedeth the winds: and the same runneth after birds, that fly away.

5 He that gathereth in the harvest, is a wise son: but he that snorteth in the summer, is the son of confusion.

6 The blessing of the Lord is upon the head of the just: but iniquity covereth the mouth of the wicked.

7 The memory of the just is with praises: and the name of the wicked shall rot.

8 The wise of heart receiveth precepts: a fool is beaten with lips.

9 He that walketh sincerely, walketh confidently: but he that perverteth his ways, shall be manifest.

10 He that winketh with the eye, shall cause sorrow: and the foolish in lips shall be beaten.

11 The mouth of the just is a vein of life: and the mouth of the wicked covereth iniquity.

12 Hatred stirreth up strifes: and charity covereth all sins.

13 In the lips of the wise is wisdom found: and a rod on the back of him that wanteth sense.

14 Wise men lay up knowledge: but the mouth of the fool is next to confusion.

15 The substance of a rich man is the city of his strength: the fear of the poor is their poverty.

16 The work of the just is unto life: but the fruit of the wicked unto sin.

17 The way of life, to him that observeth correction: but he that forsaketh reproofs, goeth astray.

18 Lying lips hide hatred: he that uttereth reproach, is foolish.

19 In the multitude of words there shall not want sin: but he that refraineth his lips, is most wise.

20 The tongue of the just is as choice silver: but the heart of the wicked is nothing worth.

21 The lips of the just teach many: but they that are ignorant, shall die in the want of understanding.

22 The blessing of the Lord maketh men rich: neither shall affliction be joined to them.

23 A fool worketh mischief as it were for sport: but wisdom is prudence to a man.

24 That which the wicked feareth, shall come upon him: to the just their desire shall be given.

25 As a tempest that passeth, so the wicked shall be no more: but the just is as an everlasting foundation.

26 As vinegar to the teeth, and smoke to the eyes, so is the sluggard to them that sent him.

27 The fear of the Lord shall prolong days: and the years of the wicked shall be shortened.

28 The expectation of the just is joy: but the hope of the wicked shall perish.

29 The strength of the upright is the way of the Lord: and fear to them that work evil.

30 The just shall never be moved: but the wicked shall not dwell on the earth.

31 The mouth of the just shall bring forth wisdom: the tongue of the perverse shall perish.

32 The lips of the just consider what is acceptable: and the mouth of the wicked uttereth perverse things.

Proverbs 10 Commentary

Chapter 10

Through the whole of the Proverbs, we are to look for somewhat beyond the first sense the passage may imply, and this we shall find to be Christ. He is the Wisdom so often spoken of in this book.

Verse 1 The comfort of parents much depends on their children; and ( proverbs 10:2-3 ) the righteous may be poor, the Lord will not suffer him to want what is needful for spiritual life. Verse 4 . Those who are fervent in spirit, serving the Lord, are likely to be rich in faith, and rich in good works. Verse 5 . Here is just blame of those who trifle away opportunities, both for here and for hereafter. Verse 6 . Abundance of blessings shall abide on good men; real blessings. Verse 7 . Both the just and the wicked must die; but between their souls there is a vast difference. Verse 8 . The wise in heart puts his knowledge in practice. Verse 9 . Dissemblers, after all their shuffling, will be exposed. Verse 10 . Trick and artifice will be no excuse for iniquity. Verse 11 . The good man's mouth is always open to teach, comfort, and correct others. Verse 12 . Where there is hatred, every thing stirs up strife. By bearing with each other, peace and harmony are preserved. Verse 13 . Those that foolishly go on in wicked ways, prepare rods for themselves. Verse 14 . Whatever knowledge may be useful, we must lay it up, that it may not be to seek when we want it. The wise gain this wisdom by reading, by hearing the word, by meditation, by prayer, by faith in Christ, who is made of God unto us wisdom. Verse 15 . This refers to the common mistakes both of rich and poor, as to their outward condition. Rich people's wealth exposes them to many dangers; while a poor man may live comfortably, if he is content, keeps a good conscience, and lives by faith. Verse 16 . Perhaps a righteous man has no more than what he works hard for, but that labour tends to life. Verse 17 . The traveller that has missed his way, and cannot bear to be told of it, and to be shown the right way, must err still. Verse 18 . He is especially a fool who thinks to hide anything from God; and malice is no better. Verse 19 . Those that speak much, speak much amiss. He that checks himself is a wise ( proverbs 10:20-21 ) the just is sincere, freed from the dross of guile and evil design. Pious discourse is spiritual food to the needy. Fools die for want of a heart, so the word is; for want of thought. Verse 22 . That wealth which is truly desirable, has no vexation of spirit in the enjoyment; no grief for the loss; no guilt by the abuse of it. What comes from the love of God, has the grace of God for its companion. Verse 23 . Only foolish and wicked men divert themselves with doing harm to others, or tempting to sin. Verse 24 . The largest desire of eternal blessings the righteous can form, will be granted. Verse 25 . The course of prosperous sinners is like a whirlwind, which soon spends itself, and is gone. Verse 26 . As vinegar sets the teeth on edge, and as the smoke causes the eyes ( proverbs 10:27-28 ) is he that loves life? Let him fear God, and that will secure to him life enough in this world, and eternal life in the other. Verse 29 . The believer grows stronger in faith, and obeys with increased delight. Verse 30 . The wicked would be glad to have this earth their home for ever, but it cannot be so. They must die ( proverbs 10:31-32 ) wisely for the benefit of others. But it is the sin, and will be the ruin of a wicked man, that he speaks what is displeasing to God, and provoking to those he converses with. The righteous is kept by the power of God; and nothing shall be able to separate him from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus.

Chapter Summary

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.