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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.

The Way of the Wise and Foolish Son

1
The proverbs of Shlomo: A wise son is a joy to his father, but a foolish son is a grief to his mother. ​
2
No good comes from ill-gotten wealth, but righteousness rescues from death. ​
3
ADONAI does not let the righteous go hungry, but he thwarts the craving of the wicked. ​
4
Idle hands bring poverty; diligent hands bring wealth. ​
5
A sensible person gathers in summer, but he who sleeps during harvest is an embarrassment.
6
Blessings are for the head of the righteous, but the speech of the wicked is a cover for violence.
7
The memory of the righteous will be for a blessing, but the reputation of the wicked will rot. ​

Wisdom and the Discipline of Speech

8
Wise-hearted people take orders, but a babbling fool will have trouble.
9
He who walks purely walks securely, but he who walks in crooked ways will be found out.
10
He who winks his eye [instead of rebuking] causes pain, yet a babbling fool will have trouble. ​
11
The speech of the righteous is a fountain of life, but the speech of the wicked is a cover for violence.
12
Hate stirs up disputes, but love covers all kinds of transgressions. ​
13
On the lips of the intelligent is found wisdom, but a stick is in store for the back of a fool.
14
Wise people hide their knowledge, but when a fool speaks, ruin is imminent.

Wealth, Diligence, and Lasting Security

15
The wealth of the rich is his fortified city; the ruin of the poor is their poverty. ​
16
The activity of the righteous is for life; the income of the wicked is for sin.
17
He who observes discipline is on the way to life; but he who ignores correction is making a mistake.
18
He who covers up hate has lips that lie, and anyone who slanders is a fool.
19
When words are many, sin is not lacking; so he who controls his speech is wise. ​
20
The tongue of the righteous is like pure silver, but the mind of the wicked is worth little.
21
The lips of the righteous feed many, but fools die for lack of sense.

The Blessings of the LORD and Final Justice

22
The blessing of ADONAI is what makes people rich, and he doesn't mix sorrow with it. ​
23
To a fool, vileness is like a game, as is wisdom to a person of discernment.
24
What a fool dreads will overtake him, but the righteous will be given his desire.
25
When the storm has passed, the wicked are gone; but the righteous are firmly established forever. ​
26
Like vinegar to the teeth and smoke to the eyes is a lazy person to his employer. ​
27
The fear of ADONAI adds length to life, but the years of the wicked are cut short. ​
28
What the righteous hope for will end in joy; what the wicked expect will come to nothing.
29
The way of ADONAI is a stronghold to the upright but ruin to those who do evil.
30
The righteous will never be moved, but the wicked will not remain in the land.
31
The mouth of the righteous brings forth wisdom, but the perverse tongue will be cut off.
32
The lips of the righteous know what is wanted, but the mouth of the wicked [knows] deceit. ​

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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