Wisdom · Chapter 10 of 31

Proverbs 10

Here begins the proverbs of Solomon, a long collection of two-line sayings, most built on sharp contrasts between the righteous and the wicked. This chapter gathers dozens of them on wealth and integrity, the power of speech, diligence and sloth, and the differing ends of the just and the wicked. Its refrain: righteousness delivers, and the memory of the just is blessed.

What happens in Proverbs 10

This is not a story but an anthology. The heading marks a new section, the proverbs of Solomon, and the sayings arrive one after another, most in the pattern the righteous do this, but the wicked do that. A wise son gladdens his father; treasures of wickedness profit nothing, but righteousness delivers from death. The LORD will not let the righteous soul famish. The diligent hand makes rich; the mouth of the righteous is a well of life. Love covers all sins.

A recurring focus falls on speech: restrained lips are wise, the tongue of the just is choice silver, while the froward tongue is cut out. Wealth is weighed honestly: the blessing of the LORD makes rich and adds no sorrow. The chapter contrasts the enduring foundation of the righteous with the wicked who pass like a whirlwind, closing on the acceptable words of the just against the frowardness of the wicked mouth.

Proverbs 10 in context

With chapter 10 Proverbs shifts from the extended fatherly lectures of chapters 1 through 9 to a large collection of individual, self-contained sayings attributed to Solomon. Most here use antithetic parallelism, setting a wise or righteous line against a foolish or wicked one.

These are general observations about how life usually goes, not ironclad promises. Read as a mosaic, they train the reader to see the long-term difference character makes.

Main themes of Proverbs 10

Proverbs 10 (KJV)

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.

Verses to carry from Proverbs 10

“The mouth of a righteous man is a well of life: but violence covereth the mouth of the wicked.”Proverbs 10:11

“Hatred stirreth up strifes: but love covereth all sins.”Proverbs 10:12

“The blessing of the LORD, it maketh rich, and he addeth no sorrow with it.”Proverbs 10:22

Reflection

Read your own week through these contrasts. Were your words a well of life or a cover for something less? Did you chase gain that adds sorrow, or receive the blessing of the LORD with gratitude? And where might love cover a multitude of sins, as Christ's love has covered yours?

A prayer from Proverbs 10