Proverbs 10:1-32

Proverbs 10:1-32 [1]THE PROVERBS of Solomon: A wise son makes a glad father, but a foolish and self-confident son is the grief of his mother. [2]Treasures of wickedness profit nothing, but righteousness (moral and spiritual rectitude in every area and relation) delivers from death. [3]The Lord will not allow the [uncompromisingly] righteous to famish, but He thwarts the desire of the wicked. [Ps. 34:9, 10; 37:25.] [4]He becomes poor who works with a slack and idle hand, but the hand of the diligent makes rich. [5]He who gathers in summer is a wise son, but he who sleeps in harvest is a son who causes shame. [6]Blessings are upon the head of the [uncompromisingly] righteous (the upright, in right standing with God) but the mouth of the wicked conceals violence. [7]The memory of the [uncompromisingly] righteous is a blessing, but the name of the wicked shall rot. [Ps. 112:6; 9:5.] [8]The wise in heart will accept and obey commandments, but the foolish of lips will fall headlong. [9]He who walks uprightly walks securely, but he who takes a crooked way shall be found out and punished. [10]He who winks with the eye [craftily and with malice] causes sorrow; the foolish of lips will fall headlong but he who boldly reproves makes peace. [11]The mouth of the [uncompromisingly] righteous man is a well of life, but the mouth of the wicked conceals violence. [12]Hatred stirs up contentions, but love covers all transgressions. [13]On the lips of him who has discernment skillful and godly Wisdom is found, but discipline and the rod are for the back of him who is without sense and understanding. [14]Wise men store up knowledge [in mind and heart], but the mouth of the foolish is a present destruction. [15]The rich man’s wealth is his strong city; the poverty of the poor is their ruin. [Ps. 52:7; I Tim. 6:17.] [16]The earnings of the righteous (the upright, in right standing with God) lead to life, but the profit of the wicked leads to further sin. [Rom. 6:21; I Tim. 6:10.] [17]He who heeds instruction and correction is [not only himself] in the way of life [but also] is a way of life for others. And he who neglects or refuses reproof [not only himself] goes astray [but also] causes to err and is a path toward ruin for others. [18]He who hides hatred is of lying lips, and he who utters slander is a [self-confident] fool. [Prov. 26:24-26.] [19]In a multitude of words transgression is not lacking, but he who restrains his lips is prudent. [20]The tongues of those who are upright and in right standing with God are as choice silver; the minds of those who are wicked and out of harmony with God are of little value. [21]The lips of the [uncompromisingly] righteous feed and guide many, but fools die for want of understanding and heart. [22]The blessing of the Lord–it makes [truly] rich, and He adds no sorrow with it [neither does toiling increase it]. [23]It is as sport to a [self-confident] fool to do wickedness, but to have skillful and godly Wisdom is pleasure and relaxation to a man of understanding. [24]The thing a wicked man fears shall come upon him, but the desire of the [uncompromisingly] righteous shall be granted. [25]When the whirlwind passes, the wicked are no more, but the [uncompromisingly] righteous have an everlasting foundation. [Ps. 125:1; Matt. 7:24-27.] [26]As vinegar to the teeth and as smoke to the eyes, so is the sluggard to those who employ and send him. [27]The reverent and worshipful fear of the Lord prolongs one’s days, but the years of the wicked shall be made short. [28]The hope of the [uncompromisingly] righteous (the upright, in right standing with God) is gladness, but the expectation of the wicked (those who are out of harmony with God) comes to nothing. [29]The way of the Lord is strength and a stronghold to the upright, but it is destruction to the workers of iniquity. [30]The [consistently] righteous shall never be removed, but the wicked shall not inhabit the earth [eventually]. [Ps. 37:22; 125:1.] [31]The mouths of the righteous (those harmonious with God) bring forth skillful and godly Wisdom, but the perverse tongue shall be cut down [like a barren and rotten tree]. [32]The lips of the [uncompromisingly] righteous know [and therefore utter] what is acceptable, but the mouth of the wicked knows [and therefore speaks only] what is obstinately willful and contrary.