Proverbs chapter 10
English Standard Version
2 Treasures gained by wickedness do not profit, but righteousness delivers from death. 3 The 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. 7 The memory of the righteous is a blessing, but the name of the wicked will rot. 8 The wise of heart will receive commandments, but a babbling fool will come to ruin. 9 Whoever 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. 11 The 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. 15 A 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. 19 When 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. 22 The 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. 24 What 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. 27 The fear of the Lord prolongs life, but the years of the wicked will be short. 28 The hope of the righteous brings joy, but the expectation of the wicked will perish. 29 The way of the Lord is a stronghold to the blameless, but destruction to evildoers. 30 The righteous will never be removed, but the wicked will not dwell in the land. 31 The 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
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
New Living Translation
King James Version
New King James Version
1The proverbs of Solomon: A wise son makes a glad father, But a foolish son is the grief of his mother. 2 Treasures of wickedness profit nothing, But righteousness delivers from death. 3 The Lord will not allow the righteous soul to famish, But He casts away the desire of the wicked. 4 He who has a slack hand becomes poor, But the hand of the diligent makes rich. 5He who gathers in summer is a wise son; He who sleeps in harvest is a son who causes shame. 6Blessings are on the head of the righteous, But violence covers the mouth of the wicked. 7 The memory of the righteous is blessed, But the name of the wicked will rot. 8The wise in heart will receive commands, But a prating fool will fall. 9 He who walks with integrity walks securely, But he who perverts his ways will become known. 10He who winks with the eye causes trouble, But a prating fool will fall. 11The mouth of the righteous is a well of life, But violence covers the mouth of the wicked. 12Hatred stirs up strife, But love covers all sins. 13Wisdom is found on the lips of him who has understanding, But a rod is for the back of him who is devoid of understanding. 14Wise people store 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 labor of the righteous leads to life, The wages of the wicked to sin. 17He who keeps instruction is in the way of life, But he who refuses correction goes astray. 18Whoever hides hatred has lying lips, And whoever spreads slander is a fool. 19 In the multitude of words sin is not lacking, But he who restrains his lips is wise. 20The tongue of the righteous is choice silver; The heart of the wicked is worth little. 21The lips of the righteous feed many, But fools die for lack of wisdom. 22 The blessing of the Lord makes one rich, And He adds no sorrow with it. 23 To do evil is like sport to a fool, But a man of understanding has wisdom. 24 The fear of the wicked will come upon him, And the desire of the righteous will be granted. 25When the whirlwind passes by, the wicked is no more, But the righteous has an everlasting foundation. 26As vinegar to the teeth and smoke to the eyes, So is the lazy man to those who send him. 27 The fear of the Lord prolongs days, But the years of the wicked will be shortened. 28The hope of the righteous will be gladness, But the expectation of the wicked will perish. 29The way of the Lord is strength for the upright, But destruction will come to the workers of iniquity. 30 The righteous will never be removed, But the wicked will not inhabit the earth. 31 The mouth of the righteous brings forth wisdom, But the perverse tongue will be cut out. 32The lips of the righteous know what is acceptable, But the mouth of the wicked what is perverse.
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.
