Chapter
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Verse
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Proverbs chapter 10

English Standard Version

1The proverbs of Solomon. A wise son makes a glad father, but a foolish son is a sorrow to his mother.
2Treasures gained by wickedness do not profit, but righteousness delivers from death. 3The LORD does not let the righteous go hungry, but he thwarts the craving of the wicked. 4A slack hand causes poverty, but the hand of the diligent makes rich. 5He who gathers in summer is a prudent son, but he who sleeps in harvest is a son who brings shame. 6Blessings are on the head of the righteous, but the mouth of the wicked conceals violence. 7The memory of the righteous is a blessing, but the name of the wicked will rot. 8The wise of heart will receive commandments, but a babbling fool will come to ruin. 9Whoever walks in integrity walks securely, but he who makes his ways crooked will be found out. 10Whoever winks the eye causes trouble, and a babbling fool will come to ruin. 11The mouth of the righteous is a fountain of life, but the mouth of the wicked conceals violence. 12Hatred stirs up strife, but love covers all offenses. 13On the lips of him who has understanding, wisdom is found, but a rod is for the back of him who lacks sense. 14The wise lay up knowledge, but the mouth of a fool brings ruin near. 15A rich man’s wealth is his strong city; the poverty of the poor is their ruin. 16The wage of the righteous leads to life, the gain of the wicked to sin. 17Whoever heeds instruction is on the path to life, but he who rejects reproof leads others astray. 18The one who conceals hatred has lying lips, and whoever utters slander is a fool. 19When words are many, transgression is not lacking, but whoever restrains his lips is prudent. 20The tongue of the righteous is choice silver; the heart of the wicked is of little worth. 21The lips of the righteous feed many, but fools die for lack of sense. 22The blessing of the LORD makes rich, and he adds no sorrow with it. 23Doing wrong is like a joke to a fool, but wisdom is pleasure to a man of understanding. 24What the wicked dreads will come upon him, but the desire of the righteous will be granted. 25When the tempest passes, the wicked is no more, but the righteous is established forever. 26Like vinegar to the teeth and smoke to the eyes, so is the sluggard to those who send him. 27The fear of the LORD prolongs life, but the years of the wicked will be short. 28The hope of the righteous brings joy, but the expectation of the wicked will perish. 29The way of the LORD is a stronghold to the blameless, but destruction to evildoers. 30The righteous will never be removed, but the wicked will not dwell in the land. 31The mouth of the righteous brings forth wisdom, but the perverse tongue will be cut off. 32The lips of the righteous know what is acceptable, but the mouth of the wicked, what is perverse.
New International Version

1The proverbs of Solomon: A wise son brings joy to his father, but a foolish son brings grief to his mother.
2Ill-gotten treasures have no lasting value, but righteousness delivers from death.
3The LORD does not let the righteous go hungry, but he thwarts the craving of the wicked.
4Lazy hands make for poverty, but diligent hands bring wealth.
5He who gathers crops in summer is a prudent son, but he who sleeps during harvest is a disgraceful son.
6Blessings crown the head of the righteous, but violence overwhelms the mouth of the wicked.
7The name of the righteous is used in blessings, but the name of the wicked will rot.
8The wise in heart accept commands, but a chattering fool comes to ruin.
9Whoever walks in integrity walks securely, but whoever takes crooked paths will be found out.
10Whoever winks maliciously causes grief, and a chattering fool comes to ruin.
11The mouth of the righteous is a fountain of life, but the mouth of the wicked conceals violence.
12Hatred stirs up conflict, but love covers over all wrongs.
13Wisdom is found on the lips of the discerning, but a rod is for the back of one who has no sense.
14The wise store up knowledge, but the mouth of a fool invites ruin.
15The wealth of the rich is their fortified city, but poverty is the ruin of the poor.
16The wages of the righteous is life, but the earnings of the wicked are sin and death.
17Whoever heeds discipline shows the way to life, but whoever ignores correction leads others astray.
18Whoever conceals hatred with lying lips and spreads slander is a fool.
19Sin is not ended by multiplying words, but the prudent hold their tongues.
20The tongue of the righteous is choice silver, but the heart of the wicked is of little value.
21The lips of the righteous nourish many, but fools die for lack of sense.
22The blessing of the LORD brings wealth, without painful toil for it.
23A fool finds pleasure in wicked schemes, but a person of understanding delights in wisdom.
24What the wicked dread will overtake them; what the righteous desire will be granted.
25When the storm has swept by, the wicked are gone, but the righteous stand firm forever.
26As vinegar to the teeth and smoke to the eyes, so are sluggards to those who send them.
27The fear of the LORD adds length to life, but the years of the wicked are cut short.
28The prospect of the righteous is joy, but the hopes of the wicked come to nothing.
29The way of the LORD is a refuge for the blameless, but it is the ruin of those who do evil.
30The righteous will never be uprooted, but the wicked will not remain in the land.
31From the mouth of the righteous comes the fruit of wisdom, but a perverse tongue will be silenced. 32The lips of the righteous know what finds favor, but the mouth of the wicked only what is perverse.
New American Standard Bible

1The proverbs of Solomon. A wise son makes a father glad, But a foolish son is a grief to his mother. 2 Ill-gotten gains do not benefit, But righteousness rescues from death. 3The Lord will not allow the righteous to hunger, But He will reject the craving of the wicked. 4Poor is one who works with a lazy hand, But the hand of the diligent makes rich. 5He who gathers in summer is a son who acts wisely, But he who sleeps in harvest is a son who acts shamefully. 6Blessings are on the head of the righteous, But the mouth of the wicked conceals violence. 7The mentioning of the righteous is a blessing, But the name of the wicked will rot. 8The wise of heart will receive commands, But a babbling fool will come to ruin. 9One who walks in integrity walks securely, But one who perverts his ways will be found out. 10He who winks the eye causes trouble, And a babbling fool will come to ruin. 11The mouth of the righteous is a fountain of life, But the mouth of the wicked conceals violence. 12Hatred stirs up strife, But love covers all offenses. 13On the lips of the discerning, wisdom is found, But a rod is for the back of him who has no sense. 14Wise people store up knowledge, But with the mouth of the foolish, ruin is at hand. 15The rich person’s wealth is his fortress, The ruin of the poor is their poverty. 16The wages of the righteous is life, The income of the wicked, punishment. 17One who is on the path of life follows instruction, But one who ignores a rebuke goes astray. 18One who conceals hatred has lying lips, And one who spreads slander is a fool. 19When there are many words, wrongdoing is unavoidable, But one who restrains his lips is wise. 20The tongue of the righteous is like choice silver, The heart of the wicked is worth little. 21The lips of the righteous feed many, But fools die for lack of understanding. 22It is the blessing of the Lord that makes rich, And He adds no sorrow to it. 23Doing wickedness is like sport to a fool, And so is wisdom to a person of understanding. 24What the wicked fears will come upon him, But the desire of the righteous will be granted. 25When the whirlwind passes, the wicked is no more, But the righteous has an everlasting foundation. 26Like vinegar to the teeth and smoke to the eyes, So is the lazy one to those who send him. 27The fear of the Lord prolongs life, But the years of the wicked will be shortened. 28The hope of the righteous is gladness, But the expectation of the wicked perishes. 29The way of the Lord is a stronghold for the upright, But ruin to the workers of injustice. 30The righteous will never be shaken, But the wicked will not live in the land. 31The mouth of the righteous flows with wisdom, But the perverted tongue will be cut out. 32The lips of the righteous know what is acceptable, But the mouth of the wicked, what is perverted.
Christian Standard Bible

1Solomon's proverbs: A wise son brings joy to his father, but a foolish son, heartache to his mother.
2Ill-gotten gains do not profit anyone, but righteousness rescues from death.
3The Lord will not let the righteous go hungry, but he denies the wicked what they crave.
4Idle hands make one poor, but diligent hands bring riches.
5The son who gathers during summer is prudent; the son who sleeps during harvest is disgraceful.
6Blessings are on the head of the righteous, but the mouth of the wicked conceals violence.
7The remembrance of the righteous is a blessing, but the name of the wicked will rot.
8A wise heart accepts commands, but foolish lips will be destroyed.
9The one who lives with integrity lives securely, but whoever perverts his ways will be found out.
10A sly wink of the eye causes grief, and foolish lips will be destroyed.
11The mouth of the righteous is a fountain of life, but the mouth of the wicked conceals violence.
12Hatred stirs up conflicts, but love covers all offenses.
13Wisdom is found on the lips of the discerning, but a rod is for the back of the one who lacks sense.
14The wise store up knowledge, but the mouth of the fool hastens destruction.
15The wealth of the rich is his fortified city; the poverty of the poor is their destruction.
16The reward of the righteous is life; the wages of the wicked is punishment.
17The one who follows instruction is on the path to life, but the one who rejects correction goes astray.
18The one who conceals hatred has lying lips, and whoever spreads slander is a fool.
19When there are many words, sin is unavoidable, but the one who controls his lips is prudent.
20The tongue of the righteous is pure silver; the heart of the wicked is of little value.
21The lips of the righteous feed many, but fools die for lack of sense.
22The Lord's blessing enriches, and he adds no painful effort to it.
23As shameful conduct is pleasure for a fool, so wisdom is for a person of understanding.
24What the wicked dreads will come to him, but what the righteous desire will be given to them.
25When the whirlwind passes, the wicked are no more, but the righteous are secure forever.
26Like vinegar to the teeth and smoke to the eyes, so the slacker is to the one who sends him on an errand.
27The fear of the Lord prolongs life, but the years of the wicked are cut short.
28The hope of the righteous is joy, but the expectation of the wicked will perish.
29The way of the Lord is a stronghold for the honorable, but destruction awaits evildoers.
30The righteous will never be shaken, but the wicked will not remain on the earth.
31The mouth of the righteous produces wisdom, but a perverse tongue will be cut out. 32The lips of the righteous know what is appropriate, but the mouth of the wicked, only what is perverse.
New Living Translation

1The proverbs of Solomon: A wise child brings joy to a father; a foolish child brings grief to a mother.
2Tainted wealth has no lasting value, but right living can save your life.
3The Lord will not let the godly go hungry, but he refuses to satisfy the craving of the wicked.
4Lazy people are soon poor; hard workers get rich.
5A wise youth harvests in the summer, but one who sleeps during harvest is a disgrace.
6The godly are showered with blessings; the words of the wicked conceal violent intentions.
7We have happy memories of the godly, but the name of a wicked person rots away.
8The wise are glad to be instructed, but babbling fools fall flat on their faces.
9People with integrity walk safely, but those who follow crooked paths will be exposed.
10People who wink at wrong cause trouble, but a bold reproof promotes peace.
11The words of the godly are a life-giving fountain; the words of the wicked conceal violent intentions.
12Hatred stirs up quarrels, but love makes up for all offenses.
13Wise words come from the lips of people with understanding, but those lacking sense will be beaten with a rod.
14Wise people treasure knowledge, but the babbling of a fool invites disaster.
15The wealth of the rich is their fortress; the poverty of the poor is their destruction.
16The earnings of the godly enhance their lives, but evil people squander their money on sin.
17People who accept discipline are on the pathway to life, but those who ignore correction will go astray.
18Hiding hatred makes you a liar; slandering others makes you a fool.
19Too much talk leads to sin. Be sensible and keep your mouth shut.
20The words of the godly are like sterling silver; the heart of a fool is worthless.
21The words of the godly encourage many, but fools are destroyed by their lack of common sense.
22The blessing of the Lord makes a person rich, and he adds no sorrow with it.
23Doing wrong is fun for a fool, but living wisely brings pleasure to the sensible.
24The fears of the wicked will be fulfilled; the hopes of the godly will be granted.
25When the storms of life come, the wicked are whirled away, but the godly have a lasting foundation.
26Lazy people irritate their employers, like vinegar to the teeth or smoke in the eyes.
27Fear of the Lord lengthens one’s life, but the years of the wicked are cut short.
28The hopes of the godly result in happiness, but the expectations of the wicked come to nothing.
29The way of the Lord is a stronghold to those with integrity, but it destroys the wicked.
30The godly will never be disturbed, but the wicked will be removed from the land.
31The mouth of the godly person gives wise advice, but the tongue that deceives will be cut off.
32The lips of the godly speak helpful words, but the mouth of the wicked speaks perverse words.
King James Version

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.

What does Proverbs chapter 10 mean?

Prior chapters in the book of Proverbs established the importance of wisdom and its basic definition: humble, submissive reverence and obedience to God (Proverbs 1:7). Chapter 10 begins a long series of individual statements, each of these is a "proverb" in and of itself.

The proverbs of chapter 10 are mostly aimed at comparing the consequences one can expect from leading a righteous life as opposed to leading a wicked life. The comparison term "but" is repeated in almost every verse.

These wise comments begin with a summary of how righteousness and evil result in different reputations (Proverbs 10:1–7).

Those who participate in godly wisdom have a better likelihood of success. They are less likely to invite revenge, punishment, or judgment because of their actions (Proverbs 10:8–19).

Those who learn godliness, and pass it along to others, can give valuable advice. In contrast, those who sneer at truth lead other people into disaster (Proverbs 10:20–32).

Chapter 11 continues this long list of common-sense remarks, with an emphasis on personal integrity.
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