Proverbs 10
Proverbs 10 is part of “The Proverbs of Solomon: Part One” (10:1–22:16) in the outline of Proverbs.
Proverbs 10 summary
Hitherto we have been in the porch or preface to the proverbs, here they begin. They are short but weighty sentences; most of them are distichs, two sentences in one verse, illustrating each other; but it is seldom that there is any coherence between the verses, much less any thread of discourse, and therefore in these chapters we need not attempt to reduce the contents to their proper heads, the several sentences will appear best in their own places. The scope of them all is to set before us good and evil, the blessing and the curse. Many of the proverbs in this chapter relate to the good government of the tongue, without which men's…
Read the full introduction
Hitherto we have been in the porch or preface to the proverbs, here they begin. They are short but weighty sentences; most of them are distichs, two sentences in one verse, illustrating each other; but it is seldom that there is any coherence between the verses, much less any thread of discourse, and therefore in these chapters we need not attempt to reduce the contents to their proper heads, the several sentences will appear best in their own places. The scope of them all is to set before us good and evil, the blessing and the curse. Many of the proverbs in this chapter relate to the good government of the tongue, without which men's religion is vain.
Source: Matthew Henry, Commentary on the Whole Bible (1706–21; Romans–Revelation completed by Nonconformist ministers). Public domain. Digital text: Free Use Bible API (bible.helloao.org).
Proverbs 10 (ASV)
American Standard Version (public domain)
The Proverbs of Solomon: The Wise Son and the Foolish Son
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.