The Upright and the Wicked Contrasted

101 The proverbs of Solomon.

A wise son makes a glad father;
but a foolish son brings grief to his mother.

2 Treasures of wickedness profit nothing,
but righteousness delivers from death. 3 Yahweh will not allow the soul of the righteous to go hungry,
but he thrusts away the desire of the wicked.

4 He becomes poor who works with a lazy hand,
but the hand of the diligent brings wealth.

5 He who gathers in summer is a wise son,
but he who sleeps during the harvest is a son who causes shame.

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

7 The memory of the righteous is blessed,
but the name of the wicked will rot.

8 The wise in heart accept commandments,
but a chattering fool will fall.

9 He who walks blamelessly walks surely,
but he who perverts his ways will be found out.

10 One winking with the eye causes sorrow,
but a chattering fool will fall.

11 The mouth of the righteous is a spring of life,
but violence covers the mouth of the wicked.

12 Hatred stirs up strife,
but love covers all wrongs.

13 Wisdom is found on the lips of him who has discernment,
but a rod is for the back of him who is void of understanding.

14 Wise men lay up knowledge,
but the mouth of the foolish is near ruin.

15 The rich man’s wealth is his strong city.
The destruction of the poor is their poverty.

16 The labor of the righteous leads to life.
The increase of the wicked leads to sin.

17 He is in the way of life who heeds correction,
but he who forsakes reproof leads others astray.

18 He who hides hatred has lying lips.
He who utters a slander is a fool.

19 In the multitude of words there is no lack of disobedience,
but he who restrains his lips does wisely.

20 The tongue of the righteous is like choice silver.
The heart of the wicked is of little worth. 21 The lips of the righteous feed many,
but the foolish die for lack of understanding.

22 Yahweh’s blessing brings wealth,
and he adds no trouble to it.

Matthew Henry's Commentary on Proverbs 10:1-22

Commentary on Proverbs 10:1

(Read Proverbs 10:1)

The comfort of parents much depends on their children; and this suggests to both, motives to their duties.

Commentary on Proverbs 10:2-3

(Read Proverbs 10:2-3)

Though the righteous may be poor, the Lord will not suffer him to want what is needful for spiritual life.

Commentary on Proverbs 10:4

(Read Proverbs 10:4)

Those who are fervent in spirit, serving the Lord, are likely to be rich in faith, and rich in good works.

Commentary on Proverbs 10:5

(Read Proverbs 10:5)

Here is just blame of those who trifle away opportunities, both for here and for hereafter.

Commentary on Proverbs 10:6

(Read Proverbs 10:6)

Abundance of blessings shall abide on good men; real blessings.

Commentary on Proverbs 10:7

(Read Proverbs 10:7)

Both the just and the wicked must die; but between their souls there is a vast difference.

Commentary on Proverbs 10:8

(Read Proverbs 10:8)

The wise in heart puts his knowledge in practice.

Commentary on Proverbs 10:9

(Read Proverbs 10:9)

Dissemblers, after all their shuffling, will be exposed.

Commentary on Proverbs 10:10

(Read Proverbs 10:10)

Trick and artifice will be no excuse for iniquity.

Commentary on Proverbs 10:11

(Read Proverbs 10:11)

The good man's mouth is always open to teach, comfort, and correct others.

Commentary on Proverbs 10:12

(Read Proverbs 10:12)

Where there is hatred, every thing stirs up strife. By bearing with each other, peace and harmony are preserved.

Commentary on Proverbs 10:13

(Read Proverbs 10:13)

Those that foolishly go on in wicked ways, prepare rods for themselves.

Commentary on Proverbs 10:14

(Read Proverbs 10:14)

Whatever knowledge may be useful, we must lay it up, that it may not be to seek when we want it. The wise gain this wisdom by reading, by hearing the word, by meditation, by prayer, by faith in Christ, who is made of God unto us wisdom.

Commentary on Proverbs 10:15

(Read Proverbs 10:15)

This refers to the common mistakes both of rich and poor, as to their outward condition. Rich people's wealth exposes them to many dangers; while a poor man may live comfortably, if he is content, keeps a good conscience, and lives by faith.

Commentary on Proverbs 10:16

(Read Proverbs 10:16)

Perhaps a righteous man has no more than what he works hard for, but that labour tends to life.

Commentary on Proverbs 10:17

(Read Proverbs 10:17)

The traveller that has missed his way, and cannot bear to be told of it, and to be shown the right way, must err still.

Commentary on Proverbs 10:18

(Read Proverbs 10:18)

He is especially a fool who thinks to hide anything from God; and malice is no better.

Commentary on Proverbs 10:19

(Read Proverbs 10:19)

Those that speak much, speak much amiss. He that checks himself is a wise man, and therein consults his own peace.

Commentary on Proverbs 10:20-21

(Read Proverbs 10:20-21)

The tongue of the just is sincere, freed from the dross of guile and evil design. Pious discourse is spiritual food to the needy. Fools die for want of a heart, so the word is; for want of thought.

Commentary on Proverbs 10:22

(Read Proverbs 10:22)

That wealth which is truly desirable, has no vexation of spirit in the enjoyment; no grief for the loss; no guilt by the abuse of it. What comes from the love of God, has the grace of God for its companion.