Proverbi 10

1 Proverbi di Salomone. Un figliuol savio rallegra suo padre, ma un figliuolo stolto è il cordoglio di sua madre.

2 I tesori d’empietà non giovano, ma la giustizia libera dalla morte.

3 L’Eterno non permette che il giusto soffra la fame, ma respinge insoddisfatta l’avidità degli empi.

4 Chi lavora con mano pigra impoverisce, ma la mano dei diligenti fa arricchire.

5 Chi raccoglie nella estate è un figliuolo prudente, ma chi dorme durante la raccolta è un figliuolo che fa vergogna.

6 Benedizioni vengono sul capo dei giusti, ma la violenza cuopre la bocca degli empi.

7 La memoria del giusto e in benedizione, ma il nome degli empi marcisce.

8 Il savio di cuore accetta i precetti, ma lo stolto di labbra va in precipizio.

9 Chi cammina nella integrità cammina sicuro, ma chi va per vie tortuose sarà scoperto.

10 Chi ammicca con l’occhio cagiona dolore, e lo stolto di labbra va in precipizio.

11 La bocca del giusto è una fonte di vita, ma la bocca degli empi nasconde violenza.

12 L’odio provoca liti, ma l’amore cuopre ogni fallo.

13 Sulle labbra dell’uomo intelligente si trova la sapienza, ma il bastone è per il dosso di chi è privo di senno.

14 I savi tengono in serbo la scienza, ma la bocca dello stolto e una rovina imminente.

15 I beni del ricco sono la sua città forte; la rovina de’ poveri è la loro povertà.

16 Il lavoro del giusto serve alla vita, le entrate dell’empio servono al peccato.

17 Chi tien conto della correzione, segue il cammino della vita; ma chi non fa caso della riprensione si smarrisce.

18 Chi dissimula l’odio ha labbra bugiarde, e chi spande la calunnia è uno stolto.

19 Nella moltitudine delle parole non manca la colpa, ma chi frena le sue labbra è prudente.

20 La lingua del giusto è argento eletto; il cuore degli empi val poco.

21 Le labbra del giusto pascono molti, ma gli stolti muoiono per mancanza di senno.

22 Quel che fa ricchi è la benedizione dell’Eterno e il tormento che uno si dà non le aggiunge nulla.

23 Commettere un delitto, per lo stolto, è come uno spasso; tale è la sapienza per l’uomo accorto.

24 All’empio succede quello che teme, ma ai giusti è concesso quel che desiderano.

25 Come procella che passa, l’empio non è più, ma il giusto ha un fondamento eterno.

26 Come l’aceto ai denti e il fumo agli occhi, così è il pigro per chi lo manda.

27 Il timor dell’Eterno accresce i giorni ma gli anni degli empi saranno accorciati.

28 L’aspettazione dei giusti è letizia, ma la speranza degli empi perirà.

29 La via dell’Eterno è una fortezza per l’uomo integro, ma una rovina per gli operatori d’iniquità.

30 Il giusto non sarà mai smosso, ma gli empi non abiteranno la terra.

31 La bocca del giusto sgorga sapienza, ma la lingua perversa sarà soppressa.

32 Le labbra del giusto conoscono ciò che è grato, ma la bocca degli empi e piena di perversità.

Proverbi 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.