Solomon's opening proverb uniquely assigns grief to mothers rather than fathers, reversing the typical biblical pattern where paternal disappointment dominates wisdom literature.
Proverbs 10
Contrasts of Righteous and Wicked Conduct
1The proverbs of Solomon. A wise son makes a glad father; but a foolish son brings grief to his mother.
2Treasures of wickedness profit nothing, but righteousness delivers from death.
3The LORD will not allow the soul of the righteous to go hungry, but he thrusts away the desire of the wicked.
4He becomes poor who works with a lazy hand, but the hand of the diligent brings wealth.
5He who gathers in summer is a wise son, but he who sleeps during the harvest is a son who causes shame.
6Blessings are on the head of the righteous, but violence covers the mouth of the wicked.
7The memory of the righteous is blessed, but the name of the wicked will rot.
8The wise in heart accept commandments, but a chattering fool will fall.
9He who walks blamelessly walks surely, but he who perverts his ways will be found out.
10One who winks with the eye causes sorrow, but a chattering fool will fall.
11The mouth of the righteous is a spring of life, but violence covers the mouth of the wicked.
12Hatred stirs up strife, but love covers all wrongs.
13Wisdom is found on the lips of him who has discernment, but a rod is for the back of him who is void of understanding.
14Wise men lay up knowledge, but the mouth of the foolish is near ruin.
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 increase of the wicked leads to sin.
Speech, Life, and Death
17He is in the way of life who heeds correction, but he who forsakes reproof leads others astray.
18He who hides hatred has lying lips. He who utters a slander is a fool.
19In the multitude of words there is no lack of disobedience, but he who restrains his lips does wisely.
20The tongue of the righteous is like choice silver. The heart of the wicked is of little worth.
21The lips of the righteous feed many, but the foolish die for lack of understanding.
22The LORD’s blessing brings wealth, and he adds no trouble to it.
23It is a fool’s pleasure to do wickedness, but wisdom is a man of understanding’s pleasure.
24What the wicked fear will overtake them, but the desire of the righteous will be granted.
25When the whirlwind passes, the wicked is no more; but the righteous stand firm forever.
26As vinegar to the teeth, and as smoke to the eyes, so is the sluggard to those who send him.
27The fear of the LORD prolongs days, but the years of the wicked shall be shortened.
28The prospect of the righteous is joy, but the hope of the wicked will perish.
29The way of the LORD is a stronghold to the upright, but it is a destruction to the workers of iniquity.
30The righteous will never be removed, but the wicked will not dwell in the land.
31The mouth of the righteous produces wisdom, but the perverse tongue will be cut off.
32The lips of the righteous know what is acceptable, but the mouth of the wicked is perverse.
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Theme
Proverbs 10 begins the main collection of Solomon's proverbs, presenting a series of contrasts between the righteous and the wicked across all areas of life. The chapter emphasizes how wisdom, diligence, and righteous speech lead to blessing and life, while foolishness, laziness, and wicked words result in destruction and death. These practical teachings demonstrate that moral choices have real consequences, affecting not only individuals but also their families and communities.
Context
This chapter marks the transition from the extended discourses of chapters 1-9 to the individual proverbs that characterize the main Solomonic collection through chapter 22.
Key Themes
Outline
- 1-5 Family Impact and Work Ethic Contrasts how wisdom versus foolishness affects parents and how diligence versus laziness determines prosperity.
- 6-11 Reputation and Speech Explores how righteousness brings lasting blessing while wickedness leads to violence and forgotten legacy.
- 12-19 Words and Their Consequences Focuses on how speech patterns reveal character and determine outcomes, emphasizing restraint and wisdom.
- 20-26 Value and Reliability Contrasts the worth of righteous speech with wicked hearts and the frustration of dealing with lazy people.
- 27-32 Divine Justice and Eternal Outcomes Concludes with how fearing the LORD leads to security and longevity while wickedness brings destruction.
Contrasts of Righteous and Wicked Conduct
10:1–10:16 wisdom instruction contemplative
Solomon's proverbs contrasting wise and foolish behavior, covering family relationships, work ethic, speech, and the consequences of righteous versus wicked conduct.
person_contrast
Solomon's opening proverb uniquely assigns grief to mothers rather than fathers, reversing the typical biblical pattern where paternal disappointment dominates wisdom literature.
Speech, Life, and Death
10:17–10:32 wisdom instruction contemplative
Proverbs focusing on the power of speech, the contrast between righteous and wicked outcomes, and how the fear of the LORD brings blessing and longevity.
structural
Within these sixteen verses, the Hebrew word for "lips" (śāpāh) appears six times—more than in any other comparable Proverbs passage—creating an intensive focus on speech's moral power.
Insights
Within these sixteen verses, the Hebrew word for "lips" (śāpāh) appears six times—more than in any other comparable Proverbs passage—creating an intensive focus on speech's moral power.
Cross-References
Connected passages across Scripture
Proverbs 10:1 2 references
Proverbs 10:2 2 references
Proverbs 10:4 2 references
Proverbs 10:5 1 reference
Proverbs 10:6 1 reference
Proverbs 10:8 2 references
Proverbs 10:11 2 references
Proverbs 10:12 1 reference
Proverbs 10:15 1 reference
Proverbs 10:16 1 reference
Proverbs 10:17 1 reference
Proverbs 10:20 1 reference
Proverbs 10:24 1 reference
Proverbs 10:28 5 references
Lexicals 5
Proverbs 11:7 Lexical
When a wicked man dies, hope perishes, and expectation of power comes to nothing.
Job 11:20 Lexical
But the eyes of the wicked will fail. They will have no way to flee. Their hope will be the giving up of the spirit.”
Proverbs 11:23 Lexical
The desire of the righteous is only good. The expectation of the wicked is wrath.
Proverbs 11:10 Lexical
When it goes well with the righteous, the city rejoices. When the wicked perish, there is shouting.
Psalms 1:6 Lexical
For the LORD knows the way of the righteous, but the way of the wicked shall perish.
Proverbs 10:29 1 reference
Proverbs 10:30 4 references
Lexicals 4
Proverbs 12:3 Lexical
A man shall not be established by wickedness, but the root of the righteous shall not be moved.
Psalms 104:5 Lexical
He laid the foundations of the earth, that it should not be moved forever.
Proverbs 25:26 Lexical
Like a muddied spring and a polluted well, so is a righteous man who gives way before the wicked.
Psalms 112:6 Lexical
For he will never be shaken. The righteous will be remembered forever.
Proverbs 10:31 1 reference
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