The Upright and the Wicked Contrasted

101 Proverbs of Solomon. A wise son causeth a father to rejoice, And a foolish son 'is' an affliction to his mother.

2 Treasures of wickedness profit not, And righteousness delivereth from death. 3 Jehovah causeth not the soul of the righteous to hunger, And the desire of the wicked He thrusteth away.

4 Poor 'is' he who is working—a slothful hand, And the hand of the diligent maketh rich.

5 Whoso is gathering in summer 'is' a wise son, Whoso is sleeping in harvest 'is' a son causing shame.

6 Blessings 'are' for the head of the righteous, And the mouth of the wicked cover doth violence.

7 The remembrance of the righteous 'is' for a blessing, And the name of the wicked doth rot.

8 The wise in heart accepteth commands, And a talkative fool kicketh.

9 Whoso is walking in integrity walketh confidently, And whoso is perverting his ways is known.

10 Whoso is winking the eye giveth grief, And a talkative fool kicketh.

11 A fountain of life 'is' the mouth of the righteous, And the mouth of the wicked cover doth violence.

12 Hatred awaketh contentions, And over all transgressions love covereth.

13 In the lips of the intelligent is wisdom found, And a rod 'is' for the back of him who is lacking understanding.

14 The wise lay up knowledge, and the mouth of a fool 'is' near ruin.

15 The wealth of the rich 'is' his strong city, The ruin of the poor 'is' their poverty.

16 The wage of the righteous 'is' for life, The increase of the wicked for sin.

17 A traveller to life 'is' he who is keeping instruction, And whoso is forsaking rebuke is erring.

18 Whoso is covering hatred with lying lips, And whoso is bringing out an evil report is a fool.

19 In the abundance of words transgression ceaseth not, And whoso is restraining his lips 'is' wise.

20 The tongue of the righteous 'is' chosen silver, The heart of the wicked—as a little thing. 21 The lips of the righteous delight many, And fools for lack of heart die.

22 The blessing of Jehovah—it maketh rich, And He addeth no grief with 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.