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 (GNV)
Geneva Bible 1599 (public domain)
The Proverbs of Solomon: The Wise Son and the Foolish Son
1THE PARABLE OF SALOMON. A wise sonne maketh a glad father: but a foolish sonne is an heauines to his mother. 2The treasures of wickednesse profite nothing: but righteousnesse deliuereth from death. 3The Lord will not famish the soule of the righteous: but he casteth away the substance of the wicked. 4A slouthfull hand maketh poore: but the hand of the diligent maketh riche. 5He that gathereth in sommer, is the sonne of wisdome: but he that sleepeth in haruest, is the sonne of confusion. 6Blessings are vpon the head of the righteous: but iniquitie shall couer the mouth of the wicked. 7The memoriall of the iust shalbe blessed: but the name of the wicked shall rotte. 8The wise in heart will receiue commandements: but the foolish in talke shalbe beaten. 9He that walketh vprightly, walketh boldely: but he that peruerteth his wayes, shalbe knowen. 10He that winketh with the eye, worketh sorowe, and he yet is foolish in talke, shalbe beaten. 11The mouth of a righteous man is a welspring of life: but iniquitie couereth the mouth of the wicked. 12Hatred stirreth vp contentions: but loue couereth all trespasses. 13In the lippes of him that hath vnderstanding wisdome is founde, and a rod shalbe for the backe of him that is destitute of wisedome. 14Wise men lay vp knowledge: but ye mouth of the foole is a present destruction. 15The riche mans goodes are his strong citie: but the feare of the needie is their pouertie. 16The labour of the righteous tendeth to life: but the reuenues of the wicked to sinne. 17He that regardeth instruction, is in the way of life: but he that refuseth correction, goeth out of the way. 18He that dissembleth hatred with lying lips, and he that inuenteth slaunder, is a foole. 19In many wordes there cannot want iniquitie: but he that refrayneth his lippes, is wise. 20The tongue of the iust man is as fined siluer: but the heart of the wicked is litle worth. 21The lippes of the righteous doe feede many: but fooles shall die for want of wisedome. 22The blessing of the Lord, it maketh riche, and he doeth adde no sorowes with it. 23It is as a pastime to a foole to doe wickedly: but wisedome is vnderstanding to a man. 24That which the wicked feareth, shall come vpon him: but God wil graunt the desire of the righteous. 25As the whirlewinde passeth, so is the wicked no more: but the righteous is as an euerlasting foundation. 26As vineger is to the teeth, and as smoke to the eyes, so is the slouthful to them that send him. 27The feare of the Lord increaseth the dayes: but the yeeres of the wicked shalbe diminished. 28The patient abiding of the righteous shall be gladnesse: but the hope of the wicked shall perish. 29The way of the Lord is strength to the vpright man: but feare shall be for the workers of iniquitie. 30The righteous shall neuer be remooued: but the wicked shall not dwell in the land. 31The mouth of the iust shall be fruitfull in wisdome: but the tongue of the froward shall be cut out. 32The lips of the righteous knowe what is acceptable: but the mouth of the wicked speaketh froward things.