Mishle 10
Orthodox Jewish Bible
10 The mishle (proverbs) of Sh’lomo. A ben chacham maketh glad an av, but a ben kesil is the grief of his em.
2 Otzarot resha profit nothing, but tzedakah (righteousness) saveth from mavet.
3 Hashem will not suffer the nefesh of the tzaddik to famish, but He thwarteth the craving of the resha’im.
4 He becometh poor that dealeth with a negligent palm, but the yad of the diligent maketh wealth.
5 He that gathereth in kayitz is a ben maskil (son of wisdom), but he that sleepeth in katzir (harvest) is a ben that causeth shame.
6 Brakhot are upon the head of the tzaddik, but chamas covereth the peh (mouth) of the resha’im.
7 The memory of the tzaddik is as bracha, but the shem resha’im shall rot.
8 The chacham lev will receive mitzvot, but one with foolish sfatayim (lips) shall be thrust down.
9 He that walketh uprightly walketh securely, but he that perverteth his drakhim shall be known.
10 He that winketh with the ayin causeth trouble, but one with foolish sfatayim shall come to ruin.
11 The peh (mouth) of a tzaddik is a Makor Chayyim, but chamas covereth the peh (mouth) of the resha’im.
12 Sin’ah (hatred) stirreth up medanim (dissensions), but ahavah covereth all peysha’im.
13 In the sfatayim (lips) of him that hath understanding chochmah is found, but a shevet (rod) is for the back of him that is devoid of lev [understanding].
14 Chachamim treasure up da’as (knowledge); but the peh (mouth) of the foolish is near destruction.
15 The oisher’s wealth is his strong city; the destruction of the poor ones is their poverty.
16 The wage of the tzaddik leadeth to Chayyim; the wage of the rashah is for chattat [Ro 6:23].
17 He is in the orach (path) of Chayyim that is shomer over musar, but he that abandoneth tokhakhat (reproof) goes astray.
18 He that hideth sin’ah with sfatayim sheker, and he that uttereth a slander, is a kesil (fool).
19 In the multitude of devarim there wanteth not sin, but he that restraineth his sfatayim (lips) is maskil (wise).
20 The lashon of the tzaddik is as choice kesef; the lev of the resha’im is of little worth.
21 The sfatayim (lips) of the tzaddik feed rabbim (many), but fools die for lack of lev [of chochmah].
22 The Birkat Hashem, it maketh wealthy, and He addeth no sorrow with it.
23 It is as sport to a kesil to do zimmah (evil design), but an ish tevunah (man of understanding) hath chochmah.
24 What the rashah dreads, it shall come upon him, but the ta’avat tzaddikim shall be granted.
25 As the whirlwind passeth, so is the rashah no more, but the tzaddik is a yesod olam (an everlasting foundation).
26 As chometz to the teeth, and as smoke to the eyes, so is the atzel (sluggard, lazy one) to them that send him.
27 The Yirat Hashem prolongeth yamim; but the shanot of the resha’im shall be cut short.
28 The prospect of the tzaddikim shall be simchah, but the tikveh of the resha’im shall perish.
29 The Derech Hashem is maoz to the blameless, but destruction shall be to the workers of iniquity.
30 The tzaddik shall never be removed, but the resha’im shall not inhabit Eretz.
31 The peh (mouth) of the tzaddik bringeth forth chochmah, but the lashon tahpukhot (tongue of perversion, distortion) shall be cut off.
32 The sfatayim (lips) of the tzaddik know what is ratzon (acceptable), but the peh (mouth) of the resha’im speaketh tahpukhot (perversity).
Proverbs 10
Easy-to-Read Version
Solomon’s Proverbs
10 These are the proverbs of Solomon:
A wise son makes his father happy; a foolish one makes his mother sad.
2 Wealth gained by doing wrong will not really help you, but doing right will save you from death.
3 The Lord takes care of good people and gives them the food they need, but he keeps the wicked from getting what they want.
4 Lazy hands will make you poor; hard-working hands will make you rich.
5 A son who works hard while it is harvest time will be successful, but one who sleeps through the harvest is worthless.
6 People say good things about those who live right, but the words of the wicked only hide their violent plans.
7 Good people leave memories that bless us, but the wicked are soon forgotten.
8 The wise accept instruction, but fools argue and bring trouble on themselves.
9 Honest people can always feel secure, but lying cheaters will be caught.
10 If you fail to speak the truth, trouble will follow. If you speak openly, peace will come.[a]
11 The words of good people are like a spring of fresh water,[b] but the words of the wicked only hide their violent plans.
12 Hatred causes arguments, but love overlooks all wrongs.
13 Intelligent people speak words of wisdom, but fools must be punished before they learn their lesson.[c]
14 Wise people are quiet and learn new things, but fools talk and bring trouble on themselves.
15 Wealth protects the rich, but poverty destroys the poor.
16 What good people do brings life, but wicked people produce only sin.
17 Those who accept correction show others how to live. Those who reject correction lead others the wrong way.
18 People sometimes lie to hide their hatred, but saying bad things about someone is even more foolish.
19 A person who talks too much gets into trouble. A wise person learns to be quiet.
20 Words from good people are like pure silver, but thoughts from the wicked are worthless.
21 Good people say things that help others, but the wicked die from a lack of understanding.
22 It is the Lord’s blessing that brings wealth, and no hard work can add to it.[d]
23 Fools enjoy doing wrong, but the wise enjoy wisdom.
24 The wicked will be defeated by what they fear, but good people will get what they want.
25 The wicked are destroyed when trouble comes, but good people stand strong forever.
26 Sending a lazy person to do anything is as irritating as vinegar on your teeth or smoke in your eyes.
27 Respect for the Lord will add years to your life, but the wicked will have their lives cut short.
28 What good people hope for brings happiness,[e] but what the wicked hope for brings destruction.
29 The Lord protects those who do right, but he destroys those who do wrong.
30 Good people will always be safe, but the wicked will be forced out of the land.
31 Those who live right say wise things, but people stop listening to troublemakers.[f]
32 Good people know the right things to say, but the wicked say things to make trouble.
Footnotes
- Proverbs 10:10 If you … come This is from the ancient Greek version. The Hebrew text repeats the second half of verse 8.
- Proverbs 10:11 spring of fresh water Or “the source of life.”
- Proverbs 10:13 Literally, “Wisdom can be found on the lips of the intelligent, but a rod on the back of fools.” This is a wordplay. In Hebrew, “lip” sounds like “rod.”
- Proverbs 10:22 Or “A blessing from the Lord will bring you true wealth—wealth without troubles.”
- Proverbs 10:28 good people … happiness Or “Good people can look forward to happiness.”
- Proverbs 10:31 Or “The mouth of a good man speaks wisdom, but the tongue of a troublemaker will be cut off.”
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