Down to Earth But Heavenly Minded

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.

Chapter Context
In Proverbs 7—9 Solomon contrasts wisdom and wickedness in the symbolic persons of Lady Wisdom and Woman Folly. He calls upon his sons, or students, to choose wisdom, and he points out the benefits of choosing wisdom and the disastrous results of choosing wickedness. Chapter 10 presents vivid contrasts between wisdom and wickedness in many of life’s settings. These comparisons continue into chapter 11.

Verse by Verse

Verse 1. The proverbs of Solomon. A wise son makes a glad father,but a foolish son is a sorrow to his mother.

This begins a long series of brief, general-case statements of advice or observations, each of which is called a proverb. Since these statements make up the bulk of this book of Scripture, the work is referred to as “The Book of Proverbs.”

Here, Solomon writes about two very different sons and how each son affects his parents. A wise son has taken to heart his parents’ instructions (Proverbs 5:1–2). He values wisdom beyond silver, gold, and jewels (Proverbs 8:10–11). He walks in the way of righteousness and justice (Proverbs 8:20), and he fears the Lord (Proverbs 9:10). He causes his father to rejoice (Proverbs 10:1).

However, a foolish son ridicules wisdom (Proverbs 1:7). He is arrogant, unteachable, refuses to fear God, leads an evil lifestyle, and is lazy (Proverbs 1:25, 29; 4:17, 19; 6:9; 8:13). A foolish son causes his mother to grieve (Proverbs 10:1).

Of course, a wise son brings joy to his mother as well as to his father, and a foolish son grieves his father as well as his mother. The use of “father” in one line of the verse and “mother” in the next is simply a common construction in proverbial literature. Both parents experience either joy or sorrow depending on their son’s behavior.

Context Summary
Proverbs 10:1–5 describes two kinds of sons and how they affect their parents. It also discusses the Lord’s blessings on those who are diligent as well as the result of being lazy.

Verse 2. Treasures gained by wickedness do not profit,but righteousness delivers from death.

A person may acquire a storehouse of treasures by wicked actions and gain fleeting pleasure from them, but in the end, they amount to nothing. They cannot give true joy or peace. Nor can they prolong life. A billionaire who has accumulated enormous wealth, whether honestly or dishonestly, by cleverness or by outright violence, cannot buy even one more day to add to his allotted lifespan. History is full of stories about the unexpected death of wealthy, powerful people. Furthermore, when death separates an unrighteous rich person from his wealth, he has nothing to look forward to beyond the grave except suffering and eternal separation from God (Mark 8:38; Luke 12:20).

On the other hand, as Solomon points out, righteousness delivers from death. The word, “righteousness,” in this verse characterizes the person who does what is right and good on behalf of others and honors God. The righteous person has nothing to fear about death, because he has eternal life and an eternal reward (Philippians 3:8–9).

Verse 3. The Lord does not let the righteous go hungry,but he thwarts the craving of the wicked.

God promises to provide for the needs of His people. Jesus taught His disciples not to be anxious about life’s struggles. He pointed out that our heavenly Father feeds the birds, and He indicated that the disciples were of greater value than the birds (Matthew 6:26). He said, “Do not be anxious, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’” (Matthew 6:31), and promised, “Seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you” (Matthew 6:33). The apostle Paul told the Philippian believers, “And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:19).

The unrighteous—those who reject God and His wisdom (Proverbs 1:7)—cannot claim such promises. To the contrary, the Lord constantly frustrates their appetite for wealth and plenty. This is not to say evil people cannot be successful in the world. Rather, the wicked are never satisfied with what they have (1 Timothy 6:6–10). They crave more and more but never achieve contentment.

Verse 4. A slack hand causes poverty,but the hand of the diligent makes rich.

The contrast here is between laziness and persistence. A lazy person brings poverty on himself, whereas a hardworking person has a much better likelihood of being successful.

The Bible consistently recommends diligent work and warns against laziness. Even in the garden of Eden where conditions were perfect for our first parents, God gave Adam the responsibility to work. Genesis 2:15 tells us, “The LORD God took the man [Adam] and put him in the garden of Eden to work and keep it.” In his first letter to the Thessalonians Paul condemns laziness. He writes: “We ask you, brothers, to respect those who labor among you and are over you in the Lord and admonish you, and to esteem them very highly in love because of their work. Be at peace among yourselves. And we urge you, brothers, admonish the idle, encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, be patient with them all” (1 Thessalonians 5:12–14). In 2 Thessalonians 3:7–8 he reminds the believers that he and his coworkers were not lazy when they were at Thessalonica. He recalls how they worked night and day so they wouldn’t be a burden to any of the believers.

In fact, Scripture’s perspective on laziness is stern: “If anyone is not willing to work, let him not eat” (2 Thessalonians 3:10).

Verse 5. He who gathers in summer is a prudent son,but he who sleeps in harvest is a son who brings shame.

This continues the theme of work ethic, begun in the prior verse (Proverbs 10:4). An old-fashioned English expression delivers a similar message: “make hay while the sun shines.” A diligent person works when and how they can; the lazy person misses even the obvious opportunities to get ahead. When harvesttime is over, is it too late to collect crops. Sensible children tend to make their parents proud, parents of shiftless or selfish children are often ashamed. Laziness fails those children and leads them into a bad reputation.

Christians ought to diligently serve God in harvesting souls. When Jesus’ disciples returned with food from a Samaritan village and offered Jesus something to eat, He replied that His food was to do the will of God (John 4:34). At that time, men in traditional white robes were streaming from the village to see Jesus. Jesus told His disciples: “Do you not say, ‘There are yet four months, then comes the harvest’? Look, I tell you, lift up your eyes, and see that the fields are white for harvest” (John 4:35). Today is the day for harvesting souls. Tomorrow may be too late!

Verse 6. Blessings are on the head of the righteous,but the mouth of the wicked conceals violence.

This is a common theme in the book of Proverbs. Those who live according to godliness are more likely to experience success and to avoid negative consequences (Proverbs 4:13–14). Those who ignore good sense are more likely to suffer and fail.

Addressing His disciples from a mountain, Jesus pronounced blessings on the poor in spirit; on those who mourn; on the meek; on those who hunger and thirst for righteousness; on the merciful; on the pure in heart; on the peacemakers; on those who are persecuted; and on those who are reviled, persecuted, and maligned for His sake (see Matthew 5:1–12).

In contrast, those who hate and reject God curse, threaten, and blaspheme. Words reveal the condition of the heart. Jesus told the hypocritical Pharisees, “You brood of vipers! How can you speak good, when you are evil? For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks. The good person out of his good treasure brings forth good, and the evil person out of his evil treasure brings forth evil. I tell you, on the day of judgment people will give account for every careless word they speak, for by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned” (Matthew 12:34–37).

Context Summary
Proverbs 10:6–10 contrasts the blessings of righteousness with the crooked lifestyle of the wicked. The righteous person is wise, whereas the wicked person is a fool. The righteous person blesses others, whereas the wicked person conceals violence and causes trouble.

Verse 7. The memory of the righteous is a blessing,but the name of the wicked will rot.

Righteous men and women, as well as the wicked, will all die, because “it is appointed for man to die once” (Hebrews 9:27). However, what godly people leave behind is quite different from the legacy of the wicked.

Those who honor God and live by His law (Proverbs 1:7) leave behind a memorable legacy. Those who live on recall the blessings that accompanied their lives. They are grateful that the righteous helped them grow spiritually. Ecclesiastes 7:1 says, “A good name is better than precious ointment, and the day of death than the day of birth.” Psalm 112:3 tells us the righteousness of the person who fears the Lord endures forever, and verse 6 says he will be remembered forever.

Ultimately, the wicked leave no legacy except corruption and embarrassment. It’s difficult to look back with pride on a life of violence and crookedness. In fact, when evil people die, those who live on are more likely to be relieved than they are to grieve. The memory of the evil one fades away and their reputation decays. Like putrefying waste, it only becomes more unpleasant over time. Those wicked people whom the world never knows fade into obscurity. Those whose evil is known are, eventually, only known for that evil.

Verse 8. The wise of heart will receive commandments,but a babbling fool will come to ruin.

The person who sincerely seeks wisdom is teachable. He recognizes that he does not know everything about everything. He longs for good counsel. By contrast, the unteachable person is coarse and hardened, so busy chattering that he doesn’t take time to listen to wise counsel. As a result of his unwillingness to accept godly commandments, the “scoffer” (Proverbs 3:34) will come to a deplorable end of life.

Proverbs often contrasts the approach of those who sincerely desire wisdom to the attitude of those who refuse to learn (Proverbs 9:7–12). James 1:19 instructs us to “be quick to hear, slow to speak.” The fact that we have two ears but only one mouth ought to remind us to heed James’s instruction. When Jesus visited the home of Mary and Martha, Mary sat at His feet and listened to His teaching. When Martha complained that Mary wasn’t helping her with serving, Jesus replied, “Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things, but one thing is necessary. Mary has chosen the good portion, which will not be taken away from her” (Luke 10:42).

Verse 9. Whoever walks in integrity walks securely,but he who makes his ways crooked will be found out.

This proverb is like a modern English expression. Attributed to Mark Twain, it says, “if you tell the truth, you don’t have to remember anything.” An honest, sincere life doesn’t run the risk of being caught in lies or deceit. The honest person, therefore, has a more “secure” life. No one can legitimately build a valid case against him.

However, Solomon also points out that the person who conducts himself dishonestly and commits evil will be discovered, eventually. Not long before Twain, Walter Scott noted, “Oh, what a tangled web we weave, when first we practise to deceive!” Trying to keep multiple lines of lies from tangling with each other is a losing effort. Eventually, liars are exposed.

Christians ought to heed Solomon’s words and lead such a life that no one can legitimately find fault with them. When the apostles instructed the believers in the early church at Jerusalem to select seven men to oversee the welfare program, they said, “Pick out from among you seven men of good repute, full of the Spirit and of wisdom, whom we will appoint to this duty” (Acts 6:3). But such integrity is also supposed to characterize the life of every Christian. Paul admonishes the Philippian believers: “Do all things without grumbling or disputing, that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world” (Philippians 2:14–15).

Verse 10. Whoever winks the eye causes trouble,and a babbling fool will come to ruin.

The expression “winks the eye” is a reference to secret signs and hidden messages (Proverbs 6:13). In this context, it means a signal to evil companions to join in some crime. In Psalm 35:19 David prayed: “Let not those rejoice over me who are wrongfully my foes, and let not those wink the eye who hate me without cause.” While not exactly the same, “winking the eye” in Old Testament times sent messages similar to modern-day gang signs.

Obviously, those who create trouble lack wisdom. Just as a self-inflated, arrogant person comes to ruin (Proverbs 10:10), so eye winkers will pay a similar price for causing trouble. Fortunately, God’s grace extends even to the troublemaker who repents and trusts in Jesus. Saul of Tarsus was the greatest troublemaker that persecuted the early church. He describes his life of terror in Galatians 1:13. He writes: “For you have heard of my former life in Judaism, how I persecuted the church of God violently and tried to destroy it.” However, after he became a Christian by God’s grace, he became an ardent preacher of the faith he had been committed to destroying (Galatians 1:23).

Verse 11. The mouth of the righteous is a fountain of life,but the mouth of the wicked conceals violence.

Speech is one of the more noticeable differences between those who honor God—the righteous—and those who reject Him—the wicked. At times, the sheer volume of hateful, evil chatter can be overwhelming. Like an oasis in the desert, the words of a godly person offer refreshment. They encourage and comfort life’s weary travelers. Like a “fountain of life,” the words of a righteous person are clean and invigorating. They edify those who hear them.

Jesus said, “The words that I have spoken to you are spirit and life” (John 6:63). Followers of Jesus should carefully guard their speech and employ words that are gracious and seasoned with salt (Colossians 4:6). His followers should shun malice, deceit, and slander (1 Peter 2:1). They should not allow any corrupt talk to come out of their mouths, “but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear” (Ephesians 4:29).

Unlike the speech of the righteous, the speech of the wicked corrupts. The wicked commit violent acts and use deceptive words to cover their evil deeds (Proverbs 4:14–17; 10:6).

Context Summary
Proverbs 10:11–32 contrasts the righteous and the wicked, focusing on their different speech patterns, their different lifestyles, their different attitudes, and their different destinies. Verses 21 through 27 are especially focused on the different results which can be expected from pursuing godliness, versus pursuing sin.

Verse 12. Hatred stirs up strife,but love covers all offenses.

This is a key principle of biblical ethics. The general idea given here is repeated often in the Old Testament (Leviticus 19:18; Proverbs 15:1) and is cited in the New Testament (James 5:20; 1 Peter 4:8). In short, revenge-seeking never comes to a good end. It only multiplies anger and escalates a cycle of retaliation. Choosing to respond in love, instead, is far more powerful.

When people despise each another, they try to hurt one another. They argue and tear each other apart. This tragedy can even occur within a group of believers. Hatred divides and disrupts fellowship. Hatred destroys a congregation’s testimony and causes unbelievers to discredit Christianity. Hatred serves the Devil. Love, on the other hand, covers faults and sins. It is important to note that love does not overlook any and every sin, no matter how grievous it might be. This verse is not referring to ignoring sin or “covering it up.” But love does keep on trying to find common ground and ways to work together. It waits patiently for an offender to see the error of his way and repent. It is willing to forgive. In so far as it’s possible, and reasonable, love leads us to pursue unity (John 17:21)

Jesus identified love as evidence of belonging to Him. He said, “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another” (John 13:34–35).

Verse 13. On the lips of him who has understanding, wisdom is found,but a rod is for the back of him who lacks sense.

A major theme of the book of Proverbs is the danger of ignoring godly wisdom (Proverbs 1:7, 19, 32–33; 6:12–15, 32). Listening to those who teach truth is a path to wisdom, and those teachings are worth following. Those who reject such wise advice are bound to suffer the consequences, eventually. A common English proverb echoes this by saying, “life is hard, but it’s harder when you do stupid things.” Whether through cause and effect, relationships, or government, those who lack sense can expect hardship.

When Jesus ministered on earth, He spoke wisely, and His words carried divine authority. Multitudes gathered to hear Him teach because He spoke with authority. Mark 1:22 relates that, when Jesus taught in the synagogue on the Sabbath, the people “were astonished at his teaching, for he taught them as one who had authority, and not as the scribes.” Mark 12:37 reports that on another occasion, “the great throng heard him gladly.” Those who follow Him recognize that His words are those that bring eternal life (John 6:66–69).

By contrast, in the last times “some will depart from the faith by devoting themselves to deceitful spirits and teachings of demons” (1 Timothy 4:1). At His return, the Lord will punish those who have spoken harsh things against him (Jude 1:14–15). The eternal fate of those who ignore the Word of Life, Christ, will be tragic.

Verse 14. The wise lay up knowledge,but the mouth of a fool brings ruin near.

A key aspect of wisdom is preparation: the pursuit of what’s needed before hardship or crisis are at hand (Proverbs 4:20–21; 10:5). Those who sincerely seek truth and wisdom will seek to understand God’s will (Proverbs 1:7) so they are ready for life’s challenges (Hebrews 5:14; 1 Corinthians 10:13). Further, the person with a storehouse of wisdom has good advice to give others when the occasion calls for it (Proverbs 11:14).

James 1:5 promises that God will supply wisdom to those who ask in faith for it so they may understand the purpose of their trials. This makes humility a key aspect of “storing up” wisdom, which can elude a person even if their education is admirable. Paul asks in 1 Corinthians 1:20: “Where is the one who is wise? Where is the scribe? Where is the debater of this age? Has God not made foolish the wisdom of the world?” Although Jesus’ disciples lacked a formal education, they were wise, because they knew Christ and preached the gospel clearly. When they represented Christ at a meeting of the Jewish council, the council members were astonished, because they realized the disciples were “uneducated, common men,” but “they recognized that they had been with Jesus” (Acts 4:13).

Those who prefer to spend their efforts resisting wisdom (Proverbs 10:17) or hating those who offer it (Proverbs 9:7–8) tend to arrogantly chatter while bringing their own downfall even closer.

Verse 15. A rich man ‘s wealth is his strong city;the poverty of the poor is their ruin.

Scripture does not deny that there is some value in worldly wealth—it only notes that this value is temporary and unreliable. Nor does it ignore the struggles of those who are in need—though it does not assign value to someone based on their bank account (Matthew 6:19–24). Here, as with many proverbs, Solomon’s comment is simply an acknowledgement of reality. It’s sometimes said that in order to make money, one needs to spend money. This is why the “cycle of poverty” is hard to break: being poor, in and of itself, creates challenges that can be hard to overcome.

A rich man’s fortune can provide a certain amount of security. For example, if tragedy strikes and damages his house, he has the resources to repair the damage. If an enemy threatens him, he has the resources to defend himself. Poverty can render a person helpless. He is unable to defend against an enemy or powerless to improve his lot in life. Money is not fate, of course, but it’s an unfortunate truth that being poor makes everything else in life more difficult.

The Bible warns about trusting in one’s riches instead of in God. Paul gave Timothy the responsibility to charge the rich “not to be haughty, nor to set their hopes on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who richly provides us with everything to enjoy” (1 Timothy 6:17). It is not wrong to have riches. Joseph of Arimathea was a rich man, but he courageously demonstrated his loyalty to Jesus by providing a tomb for Jesus’ burial (see Luke 23:50–53). It is, however, wrong for riches to have us.

Verse 16. The wage of the righteous leads to life,the gain of the wicked to sin.

The word translated “wage” in this verse is not always a literal reference to money. Instead, it refers to the natural results of something. In that sense, the “wage” of lighting a match is fire, and the “wage” of blowing it out is smoke. Pursuit of godliness—righteousness—naturally leads to a meaningful life. God smiles on the righteous and gives him a full, significant life.

A righteous person experiences personally what Jesus meant when He said, “I came that they may have life and have it abundantly” (John 10:10). By dying for our sins and rising from the grave, Jesus made it possible for believers to have quantity of days, even eternal life, but also to enjoy quality of days, meaning an abundant life. Jesus compared the life He gives those who believe in Him to water that quenches thirst fully and forever. It is a gusher that satisfies the soul (John 4:13–14).

The wicked lead a life that produces only sin (Romans 6:23). He may indulge the passions of his sin nature (1 Peter 4:2–3), but he cannot satisfy the need of his heart for an intimate relationship with God (Revelation 7:15–17).

Verse 17. Whoever heeds instruction is on the path to life,but he who rejects reproof leads others astray.

The person who listens to godly advice (Proverbs 9:9) gives themselves a better likelihood of success and longevity than those who ignore wisdom. Those who follow Christ’s teachings can enjoy a truly meaningful life now (John 10:10) and eternal life beyond the grave (John 10:28).

The person who refuses to be corrected (Proverbs 9:7–8) and continues the wrong path through life sets a bad example. In many cases, others will be tempted to follow that pattern. For that reason, Scripture warns against becoming close with those who hate God and His truth (Proverbs 13:20). Though the truths contained in God’s Word offer forgiveness and life (1 Corinthians 6:9–11), the people defined as “scoffers” (Proverbs 1:22) make a litany of excuses for rejecting that message. This comes in the form of false accusations of contradiction, misleading criticisms, rejection of biblical morality, or claims of irrelevance. Some simply reject the Bible because it exposes their sin and makes them uncomfortable (Ephesians 5:11–13; 2 Peter 1:19; Psalm 119:105).

Unfortunately, many self-labelled “experts” with little legitimate knowledge of the Bible ridicule it and substitute faulty human reasoning in its place. Seemingly educated, or not, such critics of the Bible lead others astray.

Verse 18. The one who conceals hatred has lying lips,and whoever utters slander is a fool.

Hatred is a grievous sin. It is the opposite of the virtue love. Love causes a person to sacrifice for the one he loves, but hatred causes a person to wish only bad things for the one he hates (Romans 12:9). A natural aspect of hate is the willingness to use blatant lies or deception against a victim. Often, a hateful person tries to disguise their contempt for others, even pretending to like the ones he hates. In doing so, he commits hypocrisy, another sin that offends the Lord (1 Peter 2:1). That kind of hidden hate might go unnoticed in the world, but it will not be missed by God (Hebrews 4:13).

Then again, a hateful person may choose to openly speak against the object of their spite. He may start rumors with the intent of ruining a reputation (Psalm 101:5; Colossians 3:8). He may engage in name calling. David’s enemies slandered him (Psalm 41:5–8), and Jesus’ enemies hurled insults at Him. While Jesus hung on the cross, “those who passed by derided him” (Matthew 27:39), and “the chief priests, with the scribes and elders, mocked him” (Matthew 27:41).

Those who engage in openly hateful speech, of course, put themselves at risk of backlash and other consequences (Proverbs 10:10–13). Speaking hatefully of others, especially in the form of slander, is asking for trouble.

Verse 19. When words are many, transgression is not lacking,but whoever restrains his lips is prudent.

According to Solomon, incessant talking leads to sin. This is not meant to be understood in a wooden, literal sense. Rather, the point is that a wise person knows when to stop talking. In fact, when in doubt, it’s better not to speak than to say something one might regret later. Much advice is given in Scripture about the importance of controlling one’s speech. This is not always easy. In English, in fact, a common reference to holding back one’s words is “biting my tongue.” The imagery is of keeping the tongue still and quiet, even if it requires some effort or pain.

The apostle James offers sound advice by exhorting, “Let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger” (James 1:19). He portrays the tongue as a something tiny but powerful (James 3:5). He describes it further as “a fire, a world of unrighteousness” (James 3:6), untamable, and “a restless evil, full of deadly poison” (James 3:8). It is wise, therefore, to restrain our lips. James derides the hypocritical use of the tongue. He writes: “With it we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse people who are made in the likeness of God. From the same mouth come blessing and cursing. My brothers, these things ought not to be so” (James 3:9–10).

Paul admonishes the Ephesian believers to avoid sinning with the tongue. He writes: “Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear” (Ephesians 4:29).

It’s convicting to remember that our words are not self-generating. As Christ said (Matthew 15:18–19), what a person says is ultimately generated from their own heart, mind, and spirit (Luke 6:45). Keeping evil words “to ourselves” is better than letting them loose, but such thoughts still reflect an inner spiritual concern (Proverbs 10:20).

Verse 20. The tongue of the righteous is choice silver;the heart of the wicked is of little worth.

There is a contrast between the words of a person pursuing godliness versus those of a person seeking selfish interests.

The righteous person’s words are extremely valuable. In prior passages, Solomon depicted wisdom as a woman who claimed this same value for her teachings (Proverbs 8:18–21). Wise words point the way to life, both eternal life and daily life. They encourage, comfort, and provide excellent counsel. Out of the good treasure of his heart the righteous person produces good (Luke 6:45). His lips speak God’s words that “are pure words, like silver refined in a furnace on the ground, purified seven times” (Psalm 12:6). The righteous person’s words are true and trustworthy, like God’s Word (John 17:17).

The heart of the wicked is of no eternal worth. It produces evil (Luke 6:45). The wicked person curses, blasphemes, lies, slanders, defames, gossips, and destroys. His words tear down, whereas the words of the righteous person build others up. Endless chatter of evil words (Proverbs 10:19) contrasts sharply with the wisely chosen words of the righteous person.

The following verse uses similar imagery: referring to the benefits of godly wisdom as spoken by wise people (Proverbs 10:21).

Verse 21. The lips of the righteous feed many,but fools die for lack of sense.

In the prior verse, Solomon compared “the tongue” of someone who speaks godly wisdom to precious silver. Here, a similar image implies that wise words lead other people to success. In contrast, those who ignore wisdom or speak against it suffer the consequences.

Just as a server of a huge banquet feeds many people so the righteous person feeds many by speaking good words. That can have a literal implication, in that wise advice can make others more stable and successful. There is also a spiritual facet to this idea. Food is necessary to sustain physical life, but words sourced in God are necessary to impart and sustain spiritual life, Jesus said, “Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God” (Matthew 4:4).

The apostle Peter referred to God’s Word as producing the new birth. He writes in 1 Peter 1:23: “Since you have been born again, not of perishable seed but of imperishable, through the living and abiding word of God.” Jesus’ disciples had seen him feed 5,000 people to their complete satisfaction, but they understood that His words were effective in feeding their souls. Simon Peter confessed, “You have the words of eternal life” (John 6:68). Christians can effectively feed many spiritually by sharing the words of eternal life with others.

The wicked person’s words, on the other hand, cannot feed anybody, not even himself. Dealing in foolishness is a path to disaster (Proverbs 10:17, 27).

Verse 22. The blessing of the Lord makes rich,and he adds no sorrow with it.

The original Hebrew of this verse literally says “the blessing of the LORD, it makes rich…” Scripture is not naïve about our corrupt world; good people are not always financially successful (John 16:33; Philippians 4:11–13), and evil people often become wealthy (Psalm 37:7; 73:3). Godliness, put into practice through wisdom, gives a person a better likelihood at long-lasting triumph. The contrast expressed in this verse is not a guarantee of prosperity, but a comparison between wealth gained righteously as opposed to that obtained by deception.

In short, wealth obtained morally is more secure than riches gained through sin. Immoral dealings put a person at risk of revenge, legal trouble, or other problems (Proverbs 10:2, 9). Further, at least some of the pleasure of wealth is countered by a person’s conscience.

This verse also reminds us to appreciate success clearly influenced by God’s intervention. In Deuteronomy 8, the Lord reminded the people of Israel that He had freed them from Egypt and led them into the Promised Land, “a good land, a land of brooks of water, of fountains and springs…a land of wheat and barley, of vines and fig trees and pomegranates, a land of olive trees and honey, a land in which you will eat bread without scarcity, in which you will lack nothing” (Deuteronomy 8:7–9). He urged the people not to forget Him and warned: “Beware lest you say in your heart, ‘My power and the might of my hand have gotten me this wealth’” (Deuteronomy 8:17).

Verse 23. Doing wrong is like a joke to a fool,but wisdom is pleasure to a man of understanding.

Proverbs repeatedly says that wisdom begins with a reverent humility before God (Proverbs 1:7; 9:10). A foolish approach is to sneer at godly wisdom and hate those who teach it (Proverbs 9:7–8). Terms like “scoffer” or “scorner” were used previously when referring to those who are arrogant and snide when confronted with truth (Proverbs 1:22; 3:34). The person who rejects God’s wisdom—regardless of their education or intelligence—is labelled as a “fool” (Psalm 14:1; Proverbs 8:5; 10:8).

One of the clearest signs of ungodliness and foolishness is treating sin or abuse of others as if it’s funny. A fool laughs when he plays mean tricks on others. He thinks of sin as entertainment. He takes pleasure in transgressing God’s commandments. Contemporary TV and movies contain numerous comedic episodes that demonstrate this fact. The ranks of stand-up comics include many men and women who tell dirty jokes that bring rounds of laughter from their audiences—not because the humor is especially good, but because hearing filthy terms makes people chuckle. However, someday laughing at sin will come to an abrupt halt. God has promised to punish the offenders when Jesus returns “to execute judgment on all and to convict all the ungodly of all their deeds of ungodliness that they have committed in such an ungodly way” (Jude 1:15).

A wise person understands the seriousness of sin and takes pleasure in wisdom (Proverbs 10:23). He delights in doing what is right in the sight of God. Like Jesus, he delights to do God’s will (Hebrews 10:7). Knowing what is right, and doing what is godly, is not merely an act of duty for a believer. It’s meant to be fulfilling and joyful, as well.

Verse 24. What the wicked dreads will come upon him,but the desire of the righteous will be granted.

This contrasts two very different results of living wickedly versus living righteously. The wicked live in fear of punishment for their evil deeds, whereas the righteous can look forward to the rewards of blessing and God’s approval.

In an earthly sense this is like the warning given a few verses ago (Proverbs 10:12, 22). It’s also expressed in prior passages from the book of Proverbs (Proverbs 6:27–28; 10:2, 9). Those who deal in evil and lies, by necessity, put themselves at risk of being found out, or subjected to revenge, or criminal charges (Proverbs 9:16–18). What evil people try to avoid, through their sins, is always lurking and keeping them from being fully at ease (Proverbs 3:21–25). In direct contrast, those who live righteously are not subject to those consequences.

Eternally, this contrast also applies. Though they try to “get ahead” through sin, those who reject God will ultimately experience judgment. God’s wrath will engulf them, and they will suffer eternally in the lake of fire (Acts 17:31; Romans 1:18; Revelation 20:10–15). By contrast, those who practice righteousness will be rewarded at the Judgment Seat of Christ (1 Corinthians 3:10–14; 9:24–25; 2 Corinthians 5:10).

Psalm 37:4 promises, “Delight yourself in the LORD, and he will give you the desires of your heart.” The same passage provides wise counsel and promises a good reward: “Commit your way to the LORD; trust in him, and he will act. He will bring forth your righteousness as the light, and your justice as the noonday” (Psalm 37:5–6).

The choice is clear: a person can opt for wickedness and judgment or righteousness and reward. The idea is continued in the following verses (Proverbs 10:25, 27).

Verse 25. When the tempest passes, the wicked is no more,but the righteous is established forever.

A “proverb,” by definition, is a brief, general-case observation or commonsense teaching. Most are self-contained, but some harmonize with other ideas. This proverb closely connects to the one given in the prior verse (Proverbs 10:24). Solomon has already noted that participating in evil brings a person great risks, in this life, and condemnation in eternity (Proverbs 10:8–11).

In parallel with those earlier ideas, Solomon observes that “a tempest,” suggesting a storm or disaster, destroys the wicked but it does not destroy the righteous. Taken in an earthly sense, this might imply that the risks taken by a life of sin and evil leave a person less likely to be helped or rescued during a crisis. Or, that a “storm” of opposition is more of a threat to those who live through lies and deception, whereas those who are honest and decent have less to fear.

Translations such as the NASB render this verse to say, “the righteous has an everlasting foundation.” Scripture teaches that the life built by an unbeliever is like a house built on sand. When heavy rains pound it and a flood engulfs it, the house collapses; but the life of a righteous person is like a house built on a rock. Heavy rains and a rising flood cannot destroy it (Matthew 7:24–27). Whether spiritually or physically, living by godly truth is a more secure choice (Proverbs 10:27).

Alternatively, this reference to a tempest may be a figurative depiction of divine judgment. When God judges the wicked, they will not survive. They will be consigned to the lake of fire forever (Revelation 20:15). The righteous—those whose faith is anchored in Jesus—will not suffer a similar fate. They will never perish. Romans 8:1 states, “There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.” On the cross, Jesus was punished for the sins of the whole world (1 John 2:2), and “whoever believes in the Son has eternal life” (John 3:36).

Verse 26. Like vinegar to the teeth and smoke to the eyes,so is the sluggard to those who send him.

This verse describes a lazy person, the “sluggard” (Proverbs 6:6, 9) as causing his employer great disappointment. Biblically, the Hebrew term ā’sēl is seen only in the book of Proverbs; it implies someone lacking self-control and motivation to an immoral degree. Later, Solomon will remark that attempting to rely on a fool—and expression of which is laziness— is as irrational as cutting off one’s own feet (Proverbs 26:6).

For those who need such a person to perform a task, his habits are as distasteful as vinegar and as irritating as smoke that gets into the eyes. When his employer sends him on an errand, the lazy person doesn’t complete it.

For believers, it’s important to remember that God’s work demands diligence and haste. Jesus commissioned His disciples to proclaim the gospel “to the end of the earth” (Acts 1:8). After two millennia, the church hasn’t completed that commission. Millions have yet to hear the gospel for the first time. Christians need to take to heart the counsel Paul gives in Galatians 6:9: “And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up.” He also encouraged the Corinthian believers to “be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain” (1 Corinthians 15:58).

Verse 27. The fear of the Lord prolongs life,but the years of the wicked will be short.

Once again Solomon contrasts the longevity of those who fear the Lord with those who lead a wicked life. While God-honoring people can be subject to accidents and persecution (James 4:14; John 16:33), those who ignore truth and godliness put themselves at much greater risk (Proverbs 8:34–36; 10:24–25). The tone of this proverb is much like that of a doctor who tells a patient to exercise so they “will live longer.” That’s not a guarantee, but it’s a clear and obvious trend.

If they’re pursuing wisdom, a God-fearing person avoids habits that threaten his health. In contrast, the foolish person is more readily addicted to food and substances that shorten his life. Alcoholism, overeating, illegal drug use, risky behaviors, and a lack of exercise inflict damage on a person’s mind and body and can shorten his life considerably.

A person who fears the Lord recognizes the importance of presenting his body “as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God” (Romans 12:1). Further, he refuses to let sin reign in his body (Romans 6:12). He does not present the members of his body to sin as instruments for unrighteousness. Instead, he presents his members to God as instruments of righteousness (Romans 6:12–13). He recognizes that his body is a temple of the Holy Spirit and God has purchased his body with a price, the blood of Christ. Therefore, he glorifies God in his body (1 Corinthians 6:19–20).

Unless God calls the dedicated believer to heaven when he is young, he is likely to live well into old age. Living in sin brings much greater risk of disease and death (Proverbs 9:13–18).

Verse 28.The hope of the righteous brings joy,but the expectation of the wicked will perish.

According to this verse, righteous men and women experience trials, but they do not have any reason to despair. They know their trials will end someday (Romans 8:18; Revelation 21:1–4). They hope for that day, and their hope enables them to be joyful despite difficult circumstances (Hebrews 11:13–16). Those who rely on themselves, or lies, rather than God, are doomed to disappointment and condemnation (John 3:36).

Paul’s letter to the Philippians has been referred to often as “the joy epistle.” The words “joy” and “rejoice” occur often in Philippians. It is noteworthy that Paul was under house arrest in Rome when he wrote Philippians, but he retained a steadfast hope that someday he would depart this life and be with Jesus (Philippians 1:20–21). The apostle James writes in James 1:2: “Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds.” And Peter assures us that God “has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead” (1 Peter 1:3).

Believers rejoice because they have an endless hope, but Solomon observes that the wicked have a hopeless end. Eventually, those who reject God will find themselves lost and eternally separated from Him (Matthew 16:26).

Verse 29. The way of the Lord is a stronghold to the blameless,but destruction to evildoers.

The safest and best path to follow throughout one’s life is the way of the Lord (Proverbs 1:7). This is true much as a doctor’s advice makes a person more likely to live a long, healthy life, even if accidents or violence can still occur. From an eternal perspective, pursuing God leads to eternal life (John 3:36; 10:28). Those who are “blameless,” in this context, are not people who are “sinless.” Rather, they are those who choose to honor God with their thoughts and actions, such that other people have no valid criticisms (Proverbs 2:7; Psalm 119:1). This follows the pattern of this part of Proverbs (Proverbs 10:27–28, 30).

However, the same truth that encourages believers predicts destruction for evildoers. The first chapter of Nahum makes these truths clear. This chapter describes the Lord as avenging and wrathful against His adversaries. It asks, “Who can stand before his indignation? Who can endure the heat of his anger?” (Nahum 1:6). However, against the backdrop of God’s judgment on evildoers is His goodness and protection for those who take refuge in Him (Nahum 1:7).

Encouraging believers who were experiencing heavy persecution, Peter writes in 1 Peter 3:12–14: “‘The eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, and his ears are open to their prayer. But the face of the Lord is against those who do evil.’ Now who is there to harm you if you are zealous for what is good? But even if you suffer for righteousness’ sake, you will be blessed. Have no fear of them, nor be troubled.”

Verse 30. The righteous will never be removed,but the wicked will not dwell in the land.

This recalls God’s promise to the Israelites before they entered Canaan, the Promised Land. In Deuteronomy 27:1–2 Moses and the elders of Israel reminded the people that they would enter Canaan, “the land that the LORD your God is giving you.” However, in Deuteronomy 28 Moses promised punishment if the Israelites turned away from the Lord in the Promised Land. He warned: “And as the LORD took delight in doing you good and multiplying you, so the LORD will take delight in bringing ruin upon you and destroying you. And you shall be plucked off the land that you are entering to take possession of it” (Deuteronomy 28:63).

The general meaning of this proverb is the same as the others in this section of chapter 10 (Proverbs 10:27–29). In general, those who sincerely pursue truth will find more success than those who defy God.

This comment also carries an eternal application. Psalm 37:29 echoes the promise God gave to Israel in Deuteronomy 27. It says, “The righteous shall inherit the land and dwell upon it forever.” Someday, the Lord Jesus will establish His kingdom on earth, and Israel will be a peaceful, productive, prosperous land in which the righteous will dwell, but not a single wicked person will set foot in it (Matthew 25:31–46; John 3:5).

Verse 31. The mouth of the righteous brings forth wisdom,but the perverse tongue will be cut off.

Proverbs connects legitimate wisdom with a reverent humility before God (Proverbs 1:7, 10:27). Common sense indicates that what a person believes will influence how they speak and act (Luke 6:43–45). Just as a productive field generates good crops, a wise person’s lips produce valuable, truthful words. A wise person gives good advice. He helps to guide the actions of those who seek direction in life. He praises God, thanks Him for His blessings, encourages the weak, comforts the afflicted, and corrects those who are going astray. He points the way to God by presenting Jesus Christ as “the way, and the truth, and the life” (John 14:6). He teaches God’s Word as it is to people as they are.

The wicked person lacks wisdom. His speech is described here as “perverse.” This is from a Hebrew word used elsewhere in Proverbs for something twisted, immoral, or warped (Proverbs 2:12; 6:14; 8:13; 10:32). He profanes God and insults others. He swears and tells jokes that only seem funny because they are filthy. He lies and twists the truth for personal gain. He peddles false doctrine.

However, someday the speech of these godless, evil people will be silenced, and their perverse words will end. The wicked will be held accountable for what they say. Jesus said, “I tell you, on the day of judgment people will give account for every careless word they speak, for by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned” (Matthew 12:36–37). Even more dramatic, those who use their words to insult God will one day be forced to speak a confession of His sovereignty (Isaiah 45:23; Romans 14:11–12).

Verse 32. The lips of the righteous know what is acceptable,but the mouth of the wicked, what is perverse.

There are two ways to interpret the term “know” in this context. One is the idea of information and awareness, the other is of experience. Both apply to the words that naturally come from those who are spiritually wise, and those who are foolish. Wise people know the correct things to say (Proverbs 10:13), and when it’s best not to speak, at all (Proverbs 10:19). Wicked people are inclined to saying hateful or inflammatory things (Proverbs 10:18), knowing full well they’re being unreasonable (Proverbs 10:23).

When Jesus spoke in the synagogue at Nazareth, His words greatly impressed the listeners. They “spoke well of him and marveled at the gracious words that were coming from his mouth” (Luke 4:22). The Bible has given us sufficient teaching about gracious speaking that we know what words please Him and bless others. Sinful speech does not stem from a lack of knowledge but from a disobedient heart. The wicked also know what gracious speech is, but they choose to employ perverted speech. Because their hearts are corrupt, their mouths utter corrupt language.

The problem of this kind of sin is not about syllables or sounds. What constitutes inappropriate speech varies drastically by culture and region. The intent is what matters—and this is a major problem with modern culture. Today, language in movies, music, and television is often offensive for the sake of being offensive. The same often applies to speech heard in public. Wisdom produces acceptable speech, whereas a lack of wisdom produces offensive, perverted speech. That so many people in the modern world rely on warped words is an indictment of the culture’s spiritual health.

End of Proverbs 10

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