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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 brings joy to his father, but a foolish son grief to his mother. ​
2
Ill-gotten treasures profit nothing, but righteousness brings deliverance from death. ​
3
The LORD does not let the righteous go hungry, but He denies the craving of the wicked. ​
4
Idle hands make one poor, but diligent hands bring wealth. ​
5
He who gathers in summer is a wise son, but he who sleeps during harvest is a disgraceful son.
6
Blessings are on the head of the righteous, but the mouth of the wicked conceals violence.
7
The memory of the righteous is a blessing, but the name of the wicked will rot. ​

Wisdom and the Discipline of Speech

8
A wise heart will receive commandments, but foolish lips will come to ruin.
9
He who walks in integrity walks securely, but he who perverts his ways will be found out.
10
He who winks the eye causes grief, and foolish lips will come 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 dissension, but love covers all transgressions. ​
13
Wisdom is found on the lips of the discerning, but a rod is for the back of him who lacks judgment.
14
The wise store up knowledge, but the mouth of the fool invites destruction.

Wealth, Diligence, and Lasting Security

15
The wealth of the rich man is his fortified city, but poverty is the ruin of the poor. ​
16
The labor of the righteous leads to life, but the gain of the wicked brings punishment.
17
Whoever heeds instruction is on the path to life, but he who ignores reproof goes astray.
18
The one who conceals hatred has lying lips, and whoever spreads slander is a fool.
19
When words are many, sin is unavoidable, but he who restrains his lips is wise. ​
20
The tongue of the righteous is choice silver, but the heart of the wicked has little worth.
21
The lips of the righteous feed many, but fools die for lack of judgment.

The Blessings of the LORD and Final Justice

22
The blessing of the LORD enriches, and He adds no sorrow to it. ​
23
The fool delights in shameful conduct, but a man of understanding has wisdom.
24
What the wicked man dreads will overtake him, but the desire of the righteous will be granted.
25
When the whirlwind passes, the wicked are no more, but the righteous are secure forever. ​
26
Like vinegar to the teeth and smoke to the eyes, so is the slacker to those who send him. ​
27
The fear of the LORD prolongs life, but the years of the wicked will be cut short. ​
28
The hope of the righteous is joy, but the expectations of the wicked will perish.
29
The way of the LORD is a refuge to the upright, but destruction awaits those who do evil.
30
The righteous will never be shaken, but the wicked will not inhabit the land.
31
The mouth of the righteous brings forth wisdom, but a perverse tongue will be cut out.
32
The lips of the righteous know what is fitting, but the mouth of the wicked is perverse. ​

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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