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Proverbs 10

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Read Proverbs Chapter 10

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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.

3The LORD will not suffer the soul of the righteous to famish: but he casteth away the substance of the wicked.

4He becometh poor that dealeth 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 just: but violence covereth the mouth of the wicked.

7The memory of the just 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 a righteous man is a well of life: but violence covereth the mouth of the wicked.

12Hatred stirreth up strifes: but love covereth all sins.

13In the lips of him that hath understanding 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 near destruction.

15The rich man's wealth is his strong city: the destruction of the poor is their poverty.

16The labour of the righteous tendeth to life: the fruit of the wicked to sin.

17He is in the way of life that keepeth instruction: but he that refuseth reproof erreth.

18He that hideth hatred with lying lips, and he that uttereth a slander, is a fool.

19In the multitude of words there wanteth not sin: but he that refraineth his lips is wise.

20The tongue of the just is as choice silver: the heart of the wicked is little worth.

21The lips of the righteous feed many: but fools die for want of wisdom.

22The blessing of the LORD, it maketh rich, and he addeth no sorrow with it.

23It is as sport to a fool to do mischief: but a man of understanding hath wisdom.

24The fear of the wicked, it shall come upon him: but the desire of the righteous shall be granted.

25As the whirlwind passeth, so is the wicked 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 the LORD 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 the LORD is strength to the upright: but destruction shall be to the workers of iniquity.

30The righteous shall never be removed: but the wicked shall not inhabit the earth.

31The mouth of the just bringeth forth wisdom: but the froward tongue shall be cut out.

32The lips of the righteous know what is acceptable: but the mouth of the wicked speaketh frowardness.

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Explanation

Proverbs 10

In short

This chapter collects many short sayings that compare the lives and outcomes of wise, righteous people with foolish, wicked ones. Each saying teaches that living rightly leads to blessing while foolishness and wrongdoing bring trouble.

What the text says

Verse 1 opens the collection and sets the pattern: a wise son brings joy to his father, but a foolish son brings sorrow to his mother. Verses 2-3 show that wealth gained wrongly does nothing good, but living rightly protects from death, and God feeds the righteous while taking from the wicked. Verses 4-5 teach that lazy hands lead to poverty while hard work brings wealth, and that working at the right time shows wisdom. Verses 6-7 say blessing rests on the just and their memory stays good, while the wicked are forgotten badly. Verses 8-10 warn that the wise listen and stand firm, but fools talk too much and fall. Verses 11-12 explain that righteous speech gives life like a well of water, while hatred causes fighting, but love covers wrongs. Verses 13-16 say understanding brings wisdom and instruction guides to life, while fools destroy themselves by their words, and righteousness leads to life. Verses 17-21 teach that accepting correction means following the path of life, that hidden hate and lies make a fool, that few words show wisdom, that the just speak like fine silver while the wicked are worthless, and that the righteous nourish others. Verses 22-25 say God's blessing brings wealth without sadness, that fools joke about doing harm while the wise understand, that the wicked's fears come true but the righteous get their desires, and that the wicked vanish like wind while the righteous stand forever. Verses 26-32 compare a lazy person to vinegar and smoke, warn that fearing God lengthens life while wickedness shortens it, promise the righteous will be glad while the wicked lose hope, and end by showing the righteous speak wisdom while the wicked speak wrong things.

Takeaways

  • The chapter repeatedly pairs opposite outcomes: foolishness and righteousness lead to very different results in life.
  • Right conduct, hard work, careful speech, and accepting correction shape a person's path and future.
  • God favors the righteous and the wicked face natural ruin from their own choices.

Explanation written with the help of AI. The Bible text above is not changed. Context and interpretation are flagged as such; always come back to the text itself.

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