Proverbs 10

1 These are the wise words of Solomon: A wise son makes his father happy, but a foolish son makes his mother sad.

2 Riches gotten by doing wrong have no value, but right living will save you from death.

3 The Lord does not let good people go hungry, but he keeps evil people from getting what they want.

4 A lazy person will end up poor, but a hard worker will become rich.

5 Those who gather crops on time are wise, but those who sleep through the harvest are a disgrace.

6 Good people will have rich blessings, but the wicked will be overwhelmed by violence.

7 Good people will be remembered as a blessing, but evil people will soon be forgotten.

8 The wise do what they are told, but a talkative fool will be ruined.

9 The honest person will live in safety, but the dishonest will be caught.

10 A wink may get you into trouble, and foolish talk will lead to your ruin.

11 The words of a good person give life, like a fountain of water, but the words of the wicked contain nothing but violence.

12 Hatred stirs up trouble, but love forgives all wrongs.

13 Smart people speak wisely, but people without wisdom should be punished.

14 The wise don't tell everything they know, but the foolish talk too much and are ruined.

15 Having lots of money protects the rich, but having no money destroys the poor.

16 Good people are rewarded with life, but evil people are paid with punishment.

17 Whoever accepts correction is on the way to life, but whoever ignores correction will lead others away from life.

18 Whoever hides hate is a liar. Whoever tells lies is a fool.

19 If you talk a lot, you are sure to sin; if you are wise, you will keep quiet.

20 The words of a good person are like pure silver, but an evil person's thoughts are worth very little.

21 Good people's words will help many others, but fools will die because they don't have wisdom.

22 The Lord's blessing brings wealth, and no sorrow comes with it.

23 A foolish person enjoys doing wrong, but a person with understanding enjoys doing what is wise.

24 Evil people will get what they fear most, but good people will get what they want most.

25 A storm will blow the evil person away, but a good person will always be safe.

26 A lazy person affects the one he works for like vinegar on the teeth or smoke in the eyes.

27 Whoever respects the Lord will have a long life, but the life of an evil person will be cut short.

28 A good person can look forward to happiness, but an evil person can expect nothing.

29 The Lord will protect good people but will ruin those who do evil.

30 Good people will always be safe, but evil people will not remain in the land.

31 A good person says wise things, but a liar's tongue will be stopped.

32 Good people know the right thing to say, but evil people only tell lies.

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Proverbs 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.

Taken from Matthew Henry Commentary on the Whole Bible (Concise)

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.

Taken from John Gill's Exposition of the Bible