Chapter
Verse

Proverbs 28:10

ESV Whoever misleads the upright into an evil way will fall into his own pit, but the blameless will have a goodly inheritance.
NIV Whoever leads the upright along an evil path will fall into their own trap, but the blameless will receive a good inheritance.
NASB One who leads the upright astray in an evil way Will himself fall into his own pit, But the blameless will inherit good.
CSB The one who leads the upright into an evil way will fall into his own pit, but the blameless will inherit what is good.
NLT Those who lead good people along an evil path will fall into their own trap, but the honest will inherit good things.
KJV Whoso causeth the righteous to go astray in an evil way, he shall fall himself into his own pit: but the upright shall have good things in possession.
NKJV Whoever causes the upright to go astray in an evil way, He himself will fall into his own pit; But the blameless will inherit good.

What does Proverbs 28:10 mean?

History reveals the way sin spreads through temptation, eventually leading a culture to dire consequences (Proverbs 16:29; James 1:13–15). Convincing others to join in immorality seems like freedom at first, but it ends in negative results (Proverbs 24:21–22; 26:27).

The Bible is filled with examples of unrighteous people dragging society away from God and into sin. Potiphar's wicked wife tried unsuccessfully to seduce Joseph (Genesis 39:7–10). Queen Jezebel introduced Baal worship into Israel and successfully lured her husband and his nation away from the worship of Jehovah (1 Kings 16:30–33; 21:25). Wicked kings such as Manasseh (2 Kings 21:9–12) did the same. Absalom, David's son, triggered a bloody civil war against his father (2 Samuel 15:12–14).

The New Testament warns about false teachers who would lead believers away from truth. Paul warned the Galatian churches about such men. He writes in Galatians 1:7–8: "There are some who trouble you and want to distort the gospel of Christ. But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach to you a gospel contrary to the one we preached to you, let him be accursed."

This proverb speaks of judgment for the enticers but reward for those who resist (1 Corinthians 10:13). The word translated "blameless" here comes from a term implying someone with a clear reputation for morality (Genesis 6:9; Psalm 15:2; Proverbs 2:21; 11:20; 28:18). In such contexts, a person is "blameless" when they cannot be credibly accused by others: they are not perfectly sinless, but they are clearly obedient to God. Proverbs 1:10 is clear: "My son, if sinners entice you, do not consent."
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