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Proverbs10

Proverbs 10 contrasts the paths and outcomes of the wise and the foolish, the righteous and the wicked. It asserts that a wise son brings joy, while a foolish son causes sorrow, and that righteousness leads to life and divine favour. Conversely, wickedness yields no profit and ultimately leads to destruction and a forgotten name. The chapter emphasizes that the Lord sustains the righteous, but casts away the substance of the wicked.
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The Way of the Wise and Foolish Son

1
The proverbs of Solomon. A wise son maketh a glad father; But a foolish son is the heaviness of his mother. ​
2
Treasures of wickedness profit nothing; But righteousness delivereth from death. ​
3
Jehovah will not suffer the soul of the righteous to famish; But he thrusteth away the desire of the wicked. ​
4
He becometh poor that worketh with a slack hand; But the hand of the diligent maketh rich. ​
5
He that gathereth in summer is a wise son; Buthe that sleepeth in harvest is a son that causeth shame.
6
Blessings are upon the head of the righteous; But violence covereth the mouth of the wicked.
7
The memory of the righteous is blessed; But the name of the wicked shall rot. ​

Wisdom and the Discipline of Speech

8
The wise in heart will receive commandments; But a prating fool shall fall.
9
He that walketh uprightly walketh surely; But he that perverteth his ways shall be known.
10
He that winketh with the eye causeth sorrow; But a prating fool shall fall. ​
11
The mouth of the righteous is a fountain of life; But violence covereth the mouth of the wicked.
12
Hatred stirreth up strifes; But love covereth all transgressions. ​
13
In the lips of him that hath discernment wisdom is found; But a rod is for the back of him that is void of understanding.
14
Wise men lay up knowledge; But the mouth of the foolish is a present destruction.

Wealth, Diligence, and Lasting Security

15
The rich man’s wealth is his strong city: The destruction of the poor is their poverty. ​
16
The labor of the righteoustendethto life; The increase of the wicked, to sin.
17
He is in the way of life that heedeth correction; But he that forsaketh reproof erreth.
18
He that hideth hatred is of lying lips; And he that uttereth a slander is a fool.
19
In the multitude of words there wanteth not transgression; But he that refraineth his lips doeth wisely. ​
20
The tongue of the righteous isaschoice silver: The heart of the wicked is little worth.
21
The lips of the righteous feed many; But the foolish die for lack of understanding.

The Blessings of the LORD and Final Justice

22
The blessing of Jehovah, it maketh rich; And he addeth no sorrow therewith. ​
23
It is as sport to a fool to do wickedness; Andso iswisdom to a man of understanding.
24
The fear of the wicked, it shall come upon him; And the desire of the righteous shall be granted.
25
When the whirlwind passeth, the wicked is no more; But the righteous is an everlasting foundation. ​
26
As vinegar to the teeth, and as smoke to the eyes, So is the sluggard to them that send him. ​
27
The fear of Jehovah prolongeth days; But the years of the wicked shall be shortened. ​
28
The hope of the righteousshall begladness; But the expectation of the wicked shall perish.
29
The way of Jehovah is a stronghold to the upright; But it is a destruction to the workers of iniquity.
30
The righteous shall never be removed; But the wicked shall not dwell in the land.
31
The mouth of the righteous bringeth forth wisdom; But the perverse tongue shall be cut off.
32
The lips of the righteous know what is acceptable; But the mouth of the wickedspeaketh perverseness. ​

Study Notes for Proverbs 10

Verse 1

This verse serves as the thematic introduction to this major collection of Solomonic proverbs, establishing the central contrast between wisdom (leading to joy) and folly (leading to grief) within the family unit.

Verse 2

The contrast emphasizes that material wealth gained unjustly ('treasures of wickedness') is ultimately worthless, while righteousness provides true security, often equated here with deliverance from premature death.

Verse 3

This proverb introduces the theological dimension, assuring the reader that the LORD actively participates in the affairs of humans, sustaining the righteous while punishing the wicked by removing their means of security.

Verse 4

This is a practical wisdom teaching contrasting the inevitable poverty resulting from 'slack hand' (laziness) with the reward of diligence, a foundational principle of the wisdom literature.

Verse 7

The focus here is on legacy. The righteous leave behind a positive influence and reputation ('memory is blessed'), while the wicked’s name ('rot') quickly fades or becomes synonymous with shame.

Verse 10

To 'wink with the eye' often signifies plotting, malicious deceit, or signaling hidden intent. Such calculated deception brings sorrow, contrasting with the simple, open foolishness of the 'prating fool'.

Verse 12

This is one of the most significant verses on ethics in Proverbs. Hatred is inherently divisive and generates conflict, whereas love actively seeks to conceal or reconcile the faults ('sins') of others, leading to peace.

Verse 15

This proverb observes the practical reality that wealth provides temporal security and defense, while poverty leaves the poor vulnerable; however, the book often implies that diligence and righteousness are the root causes of wealth.

Verse 19

An essential teaching on communication, emphasizing that verbosity inevitably leads to error and sin. True wisdom is demonstrated through thoughtful restraint and measured speech.

Verse 22

This is a key theological statement. Unlike wealth gained by human effort or wickedness (which often brings guilt, conflict, or anxiety), wealth given as a divine blessing is pure and unmixed with trouble ('no sorrow').

Verse 25

Using a striking natural metaphor, the proverb contrasts the fleeting, unstable existence of the wicked (like a whirlwind that passes quickly) with the stability and permanence ('everlasting foundation') of the righteous.

Verse 26

A vivid, practical analogy defining the sluggard (lazy person). They are not merely idle but actively hinder and irritate those who depend on them, causing physical discomfort and frustration.

Verse 27

The 'fear of the LORD' (reverent piety and obedience) is linked directly to temporal blessings, specifically longevity, reflecting the promises of the Mosaic covenant.

Verse 32

This final proverb summarizes the focus on speech throughout the chapter. The righteous understand what is appropriate and beneficial ('acceptable'), while the wicked speak only perverse and contrary things.

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