Chapter 10
Themes, discussion questions, Christ connections, and denomination lenses.
Just read this chapter →Scripture
KJV1The 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.
“The blessing of the LORD, it maketh rich, and he addeth no sorrow with it.”
Overview
Chapter 10 marks the beginning of Solomon's individual proverbs, presented as contrasting couplets comparing the righteous and the wicked, the wise and the foolish. Themes include the value of diligent labor over laziness, the power of the tongue for good or ill, and the lasting blessings of righteousness versus the fleeting gains of wickedness. The memory of the just is declared blessed, while the name of the wicked shall rot.
Key Themes
Diligence Versus Laziness
A slack hand brings poverty, but the hand of the diligent makes rich — the contrast between the diligent and the sluggard runs throughout the chapter.
The Power of the Tongue
The mouth of the just is a well of life, but violence covers the mouth of the wicked — words have the power to bless, heal, destroy, or conceal.
The Enduring Legacy of Righteousness
The blessing of the Lord makes rich and adds no sorrow; the righteous have an everlasting foundation, while the wicked are cut short.
Study Questions
How does the opening proverb about a wise son making a glad father (v. 1) set the tone for the rest of the chapter?
What does it mean that 'the blessing of the LORD, it maketh rich, and he addeth no sorrow with it' (v. 22)?
How do the numerous proverbs about speech in this chapter (vv. 11, 13, 14, 18-21, 31-32) shape our understanding of the tongue's power?
Why does Solomon say 'the memory of the just is blessed: but the name of the wicked shall rot' (v. 7)? What kind of legacy are we building?
How does the contrast between the righteous and wicked throughout this chapter help simplify moral decision-making?
Connection to Christ
Jesus is the ultimate righteous man whose memory is eternally blessed. His words are the well of life, and His mouth speaks wisdom and truth. The blessings of God described throughout this chapter find their fullest expression in Christ, through whom believers receive every spiritual blessing and an inheritance that does not fade away.
Personal Reflection
Take time to journal or meditate on what God is teaching you through Proverbs 10. How can these truths transform your thinking and actions today?