Proverbs 10
New King James Version
Wise Sayings of Solomon
10 The proverbs of (A)Solomon:
(B)A wise son makes a glad father,
But a foolish son is the grief of his mother.
2 (C)Treasures of wickedness profit nothing,
(D)But righteousness delivers from death.
3 (E)The Lord will not allow the righteous soul to famish,
But He casts away the desire of the wicked.
4 (F)He who has a slack hand becomes poor,
But (G)the hand of the diligent makes rich.
5 He who gathers in (H)summer is a wise son;
He who sleeps in harvest is (I)a son who causes shame.
6 Blessings are on the head of the righteous,
But violence covers the mouth of the wicked.
7 (J)The memory of the righteous is blessed,
But the name of the wicked will rot.
9 (L)He who walks with integrity walks securely,
But he who perverts his ways will become known.
10 He who winks with the eye causes trouble,
But a prating fool will fall.
11 The mouth of the righteous is a well of life,
But violence covers the mouth of the wicked.
12 Hatred stirs up strife,
But (M)love covers all sins.
13 Wisdom is found on the lips of him who has understanding,
But (N)a rod is for the back of him who [c]is devoid of understanding.
14 Wise people store up knowledge,
But (O)the mouth of the foolish is near destruction.
15 The (P)rich man’s wealth is his strong city;
The destruction of the poor is their poverty.
16 The labor of the righteous leads to (Q)life,
The wages of the wicked to sin.
17 He who keeps instruction is in the way of life,
But he who refuses correction [d]goes astray.
19 (T)In the multitude of words sin is not lacking,
But (U)he who restrains his lips is wise.
20 The tongue of the righteous is choice silver;
The heart of the wicked is worth little.
21 The lips of the righteous feed many,
But fools die for lack of [e]wisdom.
22 (V)The blessing of the Lord makes one rich,
And He adds no sorrow with it.
23 (W)To do evil is like sport to a fool,
But a man of understanding has wisdom.
24 (X)The fear of the wicked will come upon him,
And (Y)the desire of the righteous will be granted.
25 When the whirlwind passes by, (Z)the wicked is no more,
But (AA)the righteous has an everlasting foundation.
26 As vinegar to the teeth and smoke to the eyes,
So is the lazy man to those who send him.
27 (AB)The fear of the Lord prolongs days,
But (AC)the years of the wicked will be shortened.
28 The hope of the righteous will be gladness,
But the (AD)expectation of the wicked will perish.
29 The way of the Lord is strength for the upright,
But (AE)destruction will come to the workers of iniquity.
30 (AF)The righteous will never be removed,
But the wicked will not inhabit the [f]earth.
31 (AG)The mouth of the righteous brings forth wisdom,
But the perverse tongue will be cut out.
32 The lips of the righteous know what is acceptable,
But the mouth of the wicked what is perverse.
Footnotes
- Proverbs 10:8 Lit. the foolish of lips
- Proverbs 10:8 be thrust down or ruined
- Proverbs 10:13 Lit. lacks heart
- Proverbs 10:17 leads
- Proverbs 10:21 Lit. heart
- Proverbs 10:30 land
Proverbs 10
Holman Christian Standard Bible
A Collection of Solomon’s Proverbs
10 Solomon’s proverbs:(A)
A wise son brings joy to his father,
but a foolish son, heartache to his mother.(B)
2 Ill-gotten gains do not profit anyone,
but righteousness rescues from death.(C)
4 Idle hands make one poor,
but diligent hands bring riches.(F)
5 The son who gathers during summer is prudent;
the son who sleeps during harvest is disgraceful.(G)
6 Blessings are on the head of the righteous,
but the mouth of the wicked conceals violence.(H)
7 The remembrance of the righteous is a blessing,
but the name of the wicked will rot.(I)
8 A wise heart accepts commands,(J)
but foolish lips will be destroyed.
9 The one who lives with integrity lives securely,(K)
but whoever perverts his ways will be found out.(L)
10 A sly wink of the eye(M) causes grief,
and foolish lips will be destroyed.
11 The mouth of the righteous is a fountain of life,(N)
but the mouth of the wicked conceals violence.(O)
12 Hatred stirs up conflicts,
but love covers all offenses.(P)
13 Wisdom is found on the lips of the discerning,
but a rod is for the back of the one who lacks sense.(Q)
14 The wise store up knowledge,
but the mouth of the fool hastens destruction.(R)
15 A rich man’s wealth is his fortified city;(S)
the poverty of the poor is their destruction.
16 The labor of the righteous leads to life;
the activity of the wicked leads to sin.(T)
17 The one who follows instruction is on the path to life,
but the one who rejects correction goes astray.(U)
18 The one who conceals hatred has lying lips,
and whoever spreads slander is a fool.(V)
19 When there are many words, sin is unavoidable,
but the one who controls his lips is wise.(W)
20 The tongue of the righteous is pure silver;
the heart of the wicked is of little value.(X)
21 The lips of the righteous feed many,
but fools die for lack of sense.(Y)
23 As shameful conduct is pleasure for a fool,(AB)
so wisdom is for a man of understanding.
24 What the wicked dreads will come to him,(AC)
but what the righteous desire will be given to them.(AD)
26 Like vinegar to the teeth and smoke to the eyes,(AG)
so the slacker is to the one who sends him on an errand.
29 The way of the Lord is a stronghold for the honorable,
but destruction awaits the malicious.(AL)
30 The righteous will never be shaken,
but the wicked will not remain on the earth.(AM)
32 The lips of the righteous know what is appropriate,(AP)
but the mouth of the wicked, only what is perverse.(AQ)
Footnotes
- Proverbs 10:22 Or and He adds no trouble to it
- Proverbs 10:27 Lit Lord adds to days
Proverbs 10
New American Standard Bible
Contrast of the Righteous and the Wicked
10 The (A)proverbs of Solomon.
(B)A wise son makes a father glad,
But (C)a foolish son is a grief to his mother.
2 [a](D)Ill-gotten gains do not benefit,
But righteousness rescues from death.
3 The Lord (E)will not allow the [b]righteous to hunger,
But He (F)will [c]reject the craving of the wicked.
4 Poor is one who works with [d]a lazy hand,
But the (G)hand of the diligent makes rich.
5 He who gathers in summer is a son who acts wisely,
But he who sleeps in harvest is a son who acts shamefully.
6 (H)Blessings are on the head of the righteous,
But (I)the mouth of the wicked conceals violence.
7 The (J)mentioning of the righteous is a blessing,
But (K)the name of the wicked will rot.
8 The (L)wise of heart will receive commands,
But [e]a babbling fool will come to ruin.
9 One (M)who walks in integrity walks securely,
But (N)one who perverts his ways will be found out.
10 He (O)who winks the eye causes trouble,
And [f](P)a babbling fool will come to ruin.
11 The (Q)mouth of the righteous is a fountain of life,
But (R)the mouth of the wicked conceals violence.
12 Hatred stirs up strife,
But (S)love covers all offenses.
13 On (T)the lips of the discerning, wisdom is found,
But (U)a rod is for the back of him who has no [g]sense.
14 Wise people (V)store up knowledge,
But with (W)the mouth of the foolish, ruin is at hand.
15 The (X)rich person’s wealth is his [h]fortress,
The (Y)ruin of the poor is their poverty.
16 The [i](Z)wages of the righteous is life,
The income of the wicked, punishment.
17 One who (AA)is on the path of life follows instruction,
But one who ignores a rebuke goes astray.
18 One (AB)who conceals hatred has lying lips,
And one who spreads slander is a fool.
19 When there are (AC)many words, wrongdoing is unavoidable,
But (AD)one who restrains his lips is wise.
20 The tongue of the righteous is like (AE)choice silver,
The heart of the wicked is worth little.
21 The (AF)lips of the righteous feed many,
But fools (AG)die for lack of [j]understanding.
22 It is the (AH)blessing of the Lord that makes rich,
And He adds no sorrow to it.
23 Doing wickedness is like (AI)sport to a fool,
And so is wisdom to a person of understanding.
24 What (AJ)the wicked fears will come upon him,
But the (AK)desire of the righteous will be granted.
25 When the (AL)whirlwind passes, the wicked is no more,
But the (AM)righteous has an everlasting foundation.
26 Like vinegar to the teeth and smoke to the eyes,
So is the [k](AN)lazy one to those who send him.
27 The (AO)fear of the Lord prolongs [l]life,
But the (AP)years of the wicked will be shortened.
28 The (AQ)hope of the righteous is gladness,
But the (AR)expectation of the wicked perishes.
29 The (AS)way of the Lord is a stronghold for the upright,
But (AT)ruin to the workers of injustice.
30 The (AU)righteous will never be shaken,
But (AV)the wicked will not live in the land.
31 The (AW)mouth of the righteous flows with wisdom,
But the (AX)perverted tongue will be cut out.
32 The lips of the righteous know (AY)what is acceptable,
But the (AZ)mouth of the wicked, what is perverted.
Footnotes
- Proverbs 10:2 Lit Treasures of wickedness
- Proverbs 10:3 Lit soul of the righteous
- Proverbs 10:3 Lit thrust away
- Proverbs 10:4 Lit an idle hand
- Proverbs 10:8 Lit the foolish of lips
- Proverbs 10:10 Lit the foolish of lips
- Proverbs 10:13 Lit heart
- Proverbs 10:15 Lit strong city
- Proverbs 10:16 Or work
- Proverbs 10:21 Lit heart
- Proverbs 10:26 Lit idle one
- Proverbs 10:27 Lit days
Proverbs 10
English Standard Version
The Proverbs of Solomon
10 (A)The proverbs of Solomon.
(B)A wise son makes a glad father,
(C)but a foolish son is a sorrow to his mother.
2 (D)Treasures gained by wickedness do not profit,
(E)but righteousness delivers from death.
3 (F)The Lord does not let the righteous go hungry,
(G)but he thwarts the craving of the wicked.
4 A slack hand (H)causes poverty,
(I)but the hand of the diligent makes rich.
5 He who (J)gathers in summer is a prudent son,
but he who sleeps in harvest is (K)a son who brings shame.
6 Blessings are on the head of the righteous,
but (L)the mouth of the wicked conceals violence.[a]
7 (M)The memory of the righteous is a blessing,
but (N)the name of the wicked will rot.
8 (O)The wise of heart will receive commandments,
but a babbling fool will come to ruin.
9 (P)Whoever walks in integrity walks securely,
but he who makes his ways crooked (Q)will be found out.
10 Whoever (R)winks the eye causes trouble,
and a babbling fool will come to ruin.
11 (S)The mouth of the righteous is (T)a fountain of life,
but the mouth of the wicked (U)conceals violence.
12 Hatred stirs up strife,
but (V)love covers all offenses.
13 On the lips of him who has understanding, wisdom is found,
but (W)a rod is for the back of him who (X)lacks sense.
14 The wise (Y)lay up knowledge,
but (Z)the mouth of a fool brings ruin near.
15 (AA)A rich man's wealth is his strong city;
the poverty of the poor is their ruin.
16 The wage of the righteous leads (AB)to life,
the gain of the wicked to sin.
17 Whoever heeds instruction is on (AC)the path to life,
but he who rejects reproof leads others astray.
18 The one who conceals hatred has lying lips,
and whoever utters slander is a fool.
19 (AD)When words are many, transgression is not lacking,
(AE)but whoever restrains his lips is prudent.
20 The tongue of the righteous is (AF)choice silver;
the heart of the wicked is of little worth.
21 The lips of the righteous feed many,
but fools die for (AG)lack of sense.
22 (AH)The blessing of the Lord makes rich,
and he adds no sorrow with it.[b]
23 Doing wrong is (AI)like a joke to a fool,
but (AJ)wisdom is pleasure to a man of understanding.
24 (AK)What the wicked dreads (AL)will come upon him,
but (AM)the desire of the righteous will be granted.
25 When (AN)the tempest passes, the wicked is no more,
but (AO)the righteous is established forever.
26 Like vinegar to the teeth and smoke to the eyes,
so is the sluggard to those who send him.
27 (AP)The fear of the Lord prolongs life,
(AQ)but the years of the wicked will be short.
28 (AR)The hope of the righteous brings joy,
(AS)but the expectation of the wicked will perish.
29 (AT)The way of the Lord is a stronghold to the blameless,
but destruction to evildoers.
30 (AU)The righteous will never be removed,
but (AV)the wicked will not dwell in the land.
31 (AW)The mouth of the righteous brings forth wisdom,
but the perverse tongue will be cut off.
32 The lips of the righteous (AX)know what is acceptable,
but the mouth of the wicked, (AY)what is perverse.
Footnotes
- Proverbs 10:6 Or but violence covers the mouth of the wicked; also verse 11
- Proverbs 10:22 Or and toil adds nothing to it
Proverbs 10
The Message
The Wise Sayings of Solomon
An Honest Life Is Immortal
10 Wise son, glad father;
stupid son, sad mother.
2 Ill-gotten gain gets you nowhere;
an honest life is immortal.
3 God won’t starve an honest soul,
but he frustrates the appetites of the wicked.
4 Sloth makes you poor;
diligence brings wealth.
5 Make hay while the sun shines—that’s smart;
go fishing during harvest—that’s stupid.
6 Blessings accrue on a good and honest life,
but the mouth of the wicked is a dark cave of abuse.
7 A good and honest life is a blessed memorial;
a wicked life leaves a rotten stench.
8 A wise heart takes orders;
an empty head will come unglued.
9 Honesty lives confident and carefree,
but Shifty is sure to be exposed.
10 An evasive eye is a sign of trouble ahead,
but an open, face-to-face meeting results in peace.
11 The mouth of a good person is a deep, life-giving well,
but the mouth of the wicked is a dark cave of abuse.
12 Hatred starts fights,
but love pulls a quilt over the bickering.
13 You’ll find wisdom on the lips of a person of insight,
but the shortsighted needs a slap in the face.
14 The wise accumulate knowledge—a true treasure;
know-it-alls talk too much—a sheer waste.
The Road to Life Is a Disciplined Life
15 The wealth of the rich is their security;
the poverty of the indigent is their ruin.
16 The wage of a good person is exuberant life;
an evil person ends up with nothing but sin.
17 The road to life is a disciplined life;
ignore correction and you’re lost for good.
18 Liars secretly hoard hatred;
fools openly spread slander.
19 The more talk, the less truth;
the wise measure their words.
20 The speech of a good person is worth waiting for;
the blabber of the wicked is worthless.
21 The talk of a good person is rich fare for many,
but chatterboxes die of an empty heart.
Fear-of-God Expands Your Life
22 God’s blessing makes life rich;
nothing we do can improve on God.
23 An empty-head thinks mischief is fun,
but a mindful person relishes wisdom.
24 The nightmares of the wicked come true;
what the good people desire, they get.
25 When the storm is over, there’s nothing left of the wicked;
good people, firm on their rock foundation, aren’t even fazed.
26 A lazy employee will give you nothing but trouble;
it’s vinegar in the mouth, smoke in the eyes.
27 The Fear-of-God expands your life;
a wicked life is a puny life.
28 The aspirations of good people end in celebration;
the ambitions of bad people crash.
29 God is solid backing to a well-lived life,
but he calls into question a shabby performance.
30 Good people last—they can’t be moved;
the wicked are here today, gone tomorrow.
31 A good person’s mouth is a clear fountain of wisdom;
a foul mouth is a stagnant swamp.
32 The speech of a good person clears the air;
the words of the wicked pollute it.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Copyright © 1999, 2000, 2002, 2003, 2009 by Holman Bible Publishers, Nashville Tennessee. All rights reserved.
New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. All rights reserved.
The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.
Copyright © 1993, 2002, 2018 by Eugene H. Peterson