Proverbs 10
New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition
Wise Sayings of Solomon
10 The proverbs of Solomon.
A wise child makes a glad father,
but a foolish child is a mother’s grief.(A)
2 Treasures gained by wickedness do not profit,
but righteousness delivers from death.
3 The Lord does not let the righteous go hungry,
but he thwarts the craving of the wicked.(B)
4 A slack hand causes poverty,
but the hand of the diligent makes rich.(C)
5 A child who gathers in summer is prudent,
but a child who sleeps in harvest brings shame.(D)
6 Blessings are on the head of the righteous,
but the mouth of the wicked conceals violence.(E)
7 The memory of the righteous is a blessing,
but the name of the wicked will rot.(F)
8 The wise of heart will heed commandments,
but one with foolish lips will come to ruin.(G)
9 Whoever walks in integrity walks securely,
but whoever follows perverse ways will be found out.(H)
10 Whoever winks the eye causes trouble,
but one who rebukes boldly makes peace.[a](I)
11 The mouth of the righteous is a fountain of life,
but the mouth of the wicked conceals violence.(J)
12 Hatred stirs up strife,
but love covers all offenses.(K)
13 On the lips of one who has understanding wisdom is found,
but a rod is for the back of one who lacks sense.(L)
14 The wise lay up knowledge,
but the mouth of a fool brings ruin near.
15 The wealth of the rich is their fortress;
the poverty of the poor is their ruin.(M)
16 The wage of the righteous leads to life,
the gain of the wicked to sin.
17 Whoever heeds instruction is on the path to life,
but one who rejects a rebuke goes astray.
18 Lying lips conceal hatred,
and whoever utters slander is a fool.
19 When words are many, transgression is not lacking,
but the prudent are restrained in speech.(N)
20 The tongue of the righteous is choice silver;
the mind of the wicked is of little worth.(O)
21 The lips of the righteous feed many,
but fools die for lack of sense.
22 The blessing of the Lord makes rich,
and toil adds nothing to it.(P)
23 Doing wrong is like sport to a fool,
but wise conduct is pleasure to a person of understanding.(Q)
24 What the wicked dread will come upon them,
but the desire of the righteous will be granted.(R)
25 When the tempest passes, the wicked are no more,
but the righteous are established forever.(S)
26 Like vinegar to the teeth and smoke to the eyes,
so are the lazy to their employers.(T)
27 The fear of the Lord prolongs life,
but the years of the wicked will be short.(U)
28 The hope of the righteous ends in gladness,
but the expectation of the wicked comes to nothing.
29 The way of the Lord is a stronghold for the upright
but destruction for evildoers.(V)
30 The righteous will never totter,
but the wicked will not remain on the earth.(W)
31 The mouth of the righteous brings forth wisdom,
but the perverse tongue will be cut off.(X)
32 The lips of the righteous know what is acceptable,
but the mouth of the wicked what is perverse.
Footnotes
- 10.10 Gk: Heb but one with foolish lips will come to ruin
Proverbs 10
Common English Bible
Proverbs of Solomon
10 The proverbs of Solomon:
A wise child makes a father glad,
but a foolish child brings sorrow to his mother.
2 The treasure of the wicked won’t profit them,
but righteousness rescues people from death.
3 The Lord doesn’t let the righteous starve,
but he rejects the desires of the wicked.
4 Laziness brings poverty;
hard work makes one rich.
5 A wise son harvests in the summer;
a disgraceful son sleeps right through the harvest.
6 Blessings cover the head of the righteous,
but the mouth of the wicked conceals violence.
7 The memory of the righteous is a blessing,
but the name of the wicked rots.
8 The skilled mind accepts commands,
but a foolish talker is ruined.
9 Those who walk in innocence walk with confidence,
but those on crooked paths will be found out.
10 Those who wink an eye bring trouble;
those who speak foolishly are ruined.
11 The mouth of the righteous is a fountain of life,
but the mouth of the wicked conceals violence.
12 Hate stirs up conflict,
but love covers all offenses.
13 Wisdom is found on the lips of those who have understanding,
but there is a rod for the back of those with no sense.
14 The wise store up knowledge,
but the mouth of a fool brings on ruin.
15 The riches of the wealthy are their strong city;
the ruin of the poor is their poverty.
16 The wages of the righteous lead to life;
the earnings of the wicked lead to sin.
17 Those who heed instruction are on the way to life,
but those who ignore correction lose their way.
18 Lying lips conceal hate,
and those who spread slander are fools.
19 With lots of words comes wrongdoing,
but the wise restrain their lips.
20 The tongue of the righteous is choice silver,
but the heart of the wicked lacks value.
21 The lips of the righteous nourish many people,
but fools who lack sense will die.
22 The Lord’s blessing makes a person rich,
and no trouble is added to it.
23 Fools enjoy vile deeds,
but those with understanding take pleasure in wisdom.
24 What the wicked dread will come on them,
but what the righteous desire will be given to them.
25 After a whirlwind passes by, the wicked are no more,
but the righteous stand firm forever.
26 Like vinegar to the teeth and smoke to the eyes,
so are lazy people to those who authorize them.
27 The fear of the Lord increases one’s life,
but the years of the wicked will be cut short.
28 The expectations of the righteous result in joy,
but the hopes of the wicked will perish.
29 The path of the Lord is a refuge for the innocent
and ruin for those who do evil.
30 The righteous will never be shaken,
but the wicked won’t dwell in the land.
31 The mouth of the righteous flows with wisdom,
but the twisted tongue will be cut off.
32 The lips of the wise know what is acceptable,
but the mouth of the wicked knows only what is perverse.
New Revised Standard Version, Updated Edition. Copyright © 2021 National Council of Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
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