Proverbs10
American Standard Version · Public Domain
1The proverbs of Solomon. A wise son maketh a glad father; But a foolish son is the heaviness of his mother.
2Treasures of wickedness profit nothing; But righteousness delivereth from death.
3Jehovah will not suffer the soul of the righteous to famish; But he thrusteth away the desire of the wicked.
4He becometh poor that worketh with a slack hand; But the hand of the diligent maketh rich.
5He that gathereth in summer is a wise son; But he that sleepeth in harvest is a son that causeth shame.
6Blessings are upon the head of the righteous; But violence covereth the mouth of the wicked.
7The memory of the righteous is blessed; But the name of the wicked shall rot.
8The wise in heart will receive commandments; But a prating fool shall fall.
9He that walketh uprightly walketh surely; But he that perverteth his ways shall be known.
10He that winketh with the eye causeth sorrow; But a prating fool shall fall.
11The mouth of the righteous is a fountain of life; But violence covereth the mouth of the wicked.
12Hatred stirreth up strifes; But love covereth all transgressions.
13In the lips of him that hath discernment wisdom is found; But a rod is for the back of him that is void of understanding.
14Wise men lay up knowledge; But the mouth of the foolish is a present destruction.
15The rich man’s wealth is his strong city: The destruction of the poor is their poverty.
16The labor of the righteous tendeth to life; The increase of the wicked, to sin.
17He is in the way of life that heedeth correction; But he that forsaketh reproof erreth.
18He that hideth hatred is of lying lips; And he that uttereth a slander is a fool.
19In the multitude of words there wanteth not transgression; But he that refraineth his lips doeth wisely.
20The tongue of the righteous is as choice silver: The heart of the wicked is little worth.
21The lips of the righteous feed many; But the foolish die for lack of understanding.
22The blessing of Jehovah, it maketh rich; And he addeth no sorrow therewith.
23It is as sport to a fool to do wickedness; And so is wisdom to a man of understanding.
24The fear of the wicked, it shall come upon him; And the desire of the righteous shall be granted.
25When the whirlwind passeth, the wicked is no more; But the righteous is an everlasting foundation.
26As vinegar to the teeth, and as smoke to the eyes, So is the sluggard to them that send him.
27The fear of Jehovah prolongeth days; But the years of the wicked shall be shortened.
28The hope of the righteous shall be gladness; But the expectation of the wicked shall perish.
29The way of Jehovah is a stronghold to the upright; But it is a destruction to the workers of iniquity.
30The righteous shall never be removed; But the wicked shall not dwell in the land.
31The mouth of the righteous bringeth forth wisdom; But the perverse tongue shall be cut off.
32The lips of the righteous know what is acceptable; But the mouth of the wicked speaketh perverseness.
Study Guide
Public-domain commentary and original-language notes for Proverbs 10.
Chapter Summary
In this chapter: 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..
v1
The comfort of parents much depends on their children; and this suggests to both, motives to their duties.
vv2-3
Though the righteous may be poor, the Lord will not suffer him to want what is needful for spiritual life.
v4
Those who are fervent in spirit, serving the Lord, are likely to be rich in faith, and rich in good works.
Key Words
מָשָׁל: properly, a pithy maxim, usually of metaphorical nature; hence, a simile (as an adage, poem, discourse)
שְׁלֹמֹה: Shelomah, David's successor
חָכָם: wise, (i.e. intelligent, skilful or artful)
בֵּן: a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or condition, etc., (like father or brother), etc.)
שָׂמַח: probably to brighten up, i.e. (figuratively) be (causatively, make) blithe or gleesome
אָב: father, in a literal and immediate, or figurative and remote application
כְּסִיל: properly, fat, i.e. (figuratively) stupid or silly
תּוּגָה: depression (of spirits); concretely a grief
אֵם: a mother (as the bond of the family); in a wide sense (both literally and figuratively (like father))
אוֹצָר: a depository
Cross References
Proverbs 10Direct New Testament parallel to 'love covereth all sins'; Peter quotes or echoes this proverb verbatim.
Supported by Matthew Henry, Matthew Poole, JFB
Direct parallel within Proverbs contrasting the futility of riches with righteousness delivering from death.
Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB
Poole cites David's witness that the righteous are not forsaken or left to famish.
Supported by Matthew Poole
Verbal link to the ant gathering food in summer and harvest to avoid shame.
Supported by Matthew Henry, Matthew Poole
Illustrates 'winketh with the eye' as a gesture of malicious hypocrisy and deceit.
Supported by JFB
The mouth of the righteous as a 'well of life' parallel to living water flowing from believers.
Supported by Matthew Henry, JFB
Christ's parable of the wise builder on the rock echoes the 'everlasting foundation' of the righteous.
Supported by Matthew Henry, JFB
Parallels how the ways of the Lord are strength to upright but stumbling blocks to transgressors.
Supported by JFB
Defines the 'righteousness' that delivers from death as active, enduring beneficence and charity.
Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB
Contrasts the rich man's 'strong city' with the NT warning against trusting in uncertain riches.
Supported by JFB
Elaborates on the folly of hiding hatred with lying, deceitful lips.
Supported by Matthew Henry, Matthew Poole
Reinforces the power and danger of the tongue, where life and death are in its power.
Supported by JFB
Matches 'fools die for want of wisdom' with God's people destroyed for lack of knowledge.
Supported by JFB
Confirms that the memory of the righteous will be in everlasting, blessed remembrance.
Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB
Direct parallel regarding the 'rod for the back' of those void of understanding.
Supported by Matthew Poole