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 Solomon. A wise son makes a glad father; but a foolish son brings grief to his mother. ​
2
Treasures of wickedness profit nothing, but righteousness delivers from death. ​
3
The LORD will not allow the soul of the righteous to go hungry, but he thrusts away the desire of the wicked. ​
4
He becomes poor who works with a lazy hand, but the hand of the diligent brings wealth. ​
5
He who gathers in summer is a wise son, but he who sleeps during the harvest is a son who causes shame.
6
Blessings are on the head of the righteous, but violence covers the mouth of the wicked.
7
The memory of the righteous is blessed, but the name of the wicked will rot. ​

Wisdom and the Discipline of Speech

8
The wise in heart accept commandments, but a chattering fool will fall.
9
He who walks blamelessly walks surely, but he who perverts his ways will be found out.
10
One winking with the eye causes sorrow, but a chattering fool will fall. ​
11
The mouth of the righteous is a spring of life, but violence covers the mouth of the wicked.
12
Hatred stirs up strife, but love covers all wrongs. ​
13
Wisdom is found on the lips of him who has discernment, but a rod is for the back of him who is void of understanding.
14
Wise men lay up knowledge, but the mouth of the foolish is near ruin.

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 righteous leads to life. The increase of the wicked leads to sin.
17
He is in the way of life who heeds correction, but he who forsakes reproof leads others astray.
18
He who hides hatred has lying lips. He who utters a slander is a fool.
19
In the multitude of words there is no lack of disobedience, but he who restrains his lips does wisely. ​
20
The tongue of the righteous is like choice silver. The heart of the wicked is of 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 LORD’s blessing brings wealth, and he adds no trouble to it. ​
23
It is a fool’s pleasure to do wickedness, but wisdom is a man of understanding’s pleasure.
24
What the wicked fear, will overtake them, but the desire of the righteous will be granted.
25
When the whirlwind passes, the wicked is no more; but the righteous stand firm forever. ​
26
As vinegar to the teeth, and as smoke to the eyes, so is the sluggard to those who send him. ​
27
The fear of the LORD prolongs days, but the years of the wicked shall be shortened. ​
28
The prospect of the righteous is joy, but the hope of the wicked will perish.
29
The way of the LORD is a stronghold to the upright, but it is a destruction to the workers of iniquity.
30
The righteous will never be removed, but the wicked will not dwell in the land.
31
The mouth of the righteous produces wisdom, but the perverse tongue will be cut off.
32
The lips of the righteous know what is acceptable, 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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