Proverbs 10
Amplified Bible
Contrast of the Righteous and the Wicked
10 The proverbs of Solomon:
A wise son makes a father glad,
But a foolish [stubborn] son [who refuses to learn] is a grief to his mother.
2
Treasures of wickedness and ill-gotten gains do not profit,
But righteousness and moral integrity in daily life rescues from death.
3
The Lord will not allow the [a]righteous to hunger [God will meet all his needs],
But He will reject and cast away the craving of the wicked.(A)
4
Poor is he who works with a negligent and idle hand,
But the hand of the diligent makes him rich.
5
He who gathers during summer and takes advantage of his opportunities is a son who acts wisely,
But he who sleeps during harvest and ignores the moment of opportunity is a son who acts shamefully.
6
Blessings are on the head of the righteous [the upright, those in right standing with God],
But the mouth of the wicked conceals violence.
7
The [b]memory of the righteous [person] is a [source of] blessing,
But the name of the wicked will [be forgotten and] rot [like a corpse].(B)
8
The wise in heart [are willing to learn so they] will accept and obey commands (instruction),
But the babbling fool [who is arrogant and thinks himself wise] will come to ruin.
9
He who walks in integrity and with moral character walks securely,
But he who takes a crooked way will be discovered and punished.
10
He who [maliciously] winks the eye [of evil intent] causes trouble;
And the babbling fool [who is arrogant and thinks himself wise] will come to ruin.
11
The mouth of the righteous is a fountain of life and his words of wisdom are a source of blessing,
But the mouth of the wicked conceals violence and evil.
12
Hatred stirs up strife,
But love covers and overwhelms all transgressions [forgiving and overlooking another’s faults].
13
On the lips of the discerning, [skillful and godly] wisdom is found,
But discipline and the rod are for the back of the one who is without common sense and understanding.
14
Wise men store up and treasure knowledge [in mind and heart],
But with the mouth of the foolish, ruin is at hand.
15
The rich man’s wealth is his fortress;
The ruin of the poor is their poverty.(C)
16
The wages of the righteous [the upright, those in right standing with God] is [a worthwhile, meaningful] life,
The income of the wicked, punishment.(D)
17
He who learns from instruction and correction is on the [right] path of life [and for others his example is a path toward wisdom and blessing],
But he who ignores and refuses correction goes off course [and for others his example is a path toward sin and ruin].
18
He who hides hatred has lying lips,
And he who spreads slander is a fool.(E)
19
When there are many words, transgression and offense are unavoidable,
But he who controls his lips and keeps thoughtful silence is wise.
20
The tongue of the righteous is like precious silver (greatly valued);
The heart of the wicked is worth little.
21
The lips of the righteous feed and guide many,
But fools [who reject God and His wisdom] die for lack of understanding.
22
The blessing of the Lord brings [true] riches,
And He adds no sorrow to it [for it comes as a blessing from God].
23
Engaging in evil is like sport to the fool [who refuses wisdom and chases sin],
But to a man of understanding [skillful and godly] wisdom brings joy.
24
What the wicked fears will come upon him,
But the desire of the righteous [for the blessings of God] will be granted.
25
When the whirlwind passes, the wicked is no more,
But the righteous has an everlasting foundation.(F)
26
Like vinegar to the teeth and smoke to the eyes,
So is the lazy one to those who send him to work.
27
The [reverent] fear of the Lord [worshiping, obeying, serving, and trusting Him with awe-filled respect] prolongs one’s life,
But the years of the wicked will be shortened.
28
The hope of the righteous [those of honorable character and integrity] is joy,
But the expectation of the wicked [those who oppose God and ignore His wisdom] comes to nothing.
29
The way of the Lord is a stronghold to the upright,
But it is ruin to those who do evil.
30
The [consistently] righteous will never be shaken,
But the wicked will not inhabit the earth.(G)
31
The mouth of the righteous flows with [skillful and godly] wisdom,
But the perverted tongue will be cut out.
32
The lips of the righteous know (speak) what is acceptable,
But the mouth of the wicked knows (speaks) what is perverted (twisted).
Footnotes
- Proverbs 10:3 Lit soul of the righteous.
- Proverbs 10:7 Lit mention. In Jewish tradition, “memory” is not just a recollection but implies speaking of the one remembered.
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
Amplified Bible, Classic Edition
10 The proverbs of Solomon: A wise son makes a glad father, but a foolish and self-confident son is the grief of his mother.
2 Treasures of wickedness profit nothing, but righteousness (moral and spiritual rectitude in every area and relation) delivers from death.
3 The Lord will not allow the [uncompromisingly] righteous to famish, but He thwarts the desire of the wicked.(A)
4 He becomes poor who works with a slack and idle hand, but the hand of the diligent makes rich.
5 He who gathers in summer is a wise son, but he who sleeps in harvest is a son who causes shame.
6 Blessings are upon the head of the [uncompromisingly] righteous (the upright, in right standing with God) but the mouth of the wicked conceals violence.
7 The memory of the [uncompromisingly] righteous is a blessing, but the name of the wicked shall rot.(B)
8 The wise in heart will accept and obey commandments, but the foolish of lips will fall headlong.
9 He who walks uprightly walks securely, but he who takes a crooked way shall be found out and punished.
10 He who winks with the eye [craftily and with malice] causes sorrow; the foolish of lips will fall headlong but [a]he who boldly reproves makes peace.
11 The mouth of the [uncompromisingly] righteous man is a well of life, but the mouth of the wicked conceals violence.
12 Hatred stirs up contentions, but love covers all transgressions.
13 On the lips of him who has discernment skillful and godly [b]Wisdom is found, but discipline and the rod are for the back of him who is without sense and understanding.
14 Wise men store up knowledge [in mind and heart], but the mouth of the foolish is a present destruction.
15 The rich man’s wealth is his strong city; the poverty of the poor is their ruin.(C)
16 The earnings of the righteous (the upright, in right standing with God) lead to life, but the profit of the wicked leads to further sin.(D)
17 He who heeds instruction and correction is [not only himself] in the way of life [but also] is a way of life for others. And he who neglects or refuses reproof [not only himself] goes astray [but also] causes to err and is a path toward ruin for others.
18 He who hides hatred is of lying lips, and he who utters slander is a [self-confident] fool.(E)
19 In a multitude of words transgression is not lacking, but he who restrains his lips is prudent.
20 The tongues of those who are upright and in right standing with God are as choice silver; the minds of those who are wicked and out of harmony with God are of little value.
21 The lips of the [uncompromisingly] righteous feed and guide many, but fools die for want of understanding and heart.
22 The blessing of the Lord—it makes [truly] rich, and He adds no sorrow with it [neither does toiling increase it].
23 It is as sport to a [self-confident] fool to do wickedness, but to have skillful and godly Wisdom is pleasure and relaxation to a man of understanding.
24 The thing a wicked man fears shall come upon him, but the desire of the [uncompromisingly] righteous shall be granted.
25 When the whirlwind passes, the wicked are no more, but the [uncompromisingly] righteous have an everlasting foundation.(F)
26 As vinegar to the teeth and as smoke to the eyes, so is the sluggard to those who employ and send him.
27 The reverent and worshipful fear of the Lord prolongs one’s days, but the years of the wicked shall be made short.
28 The hope of the [uncompromisingly] righteous (the upright, in right standing with God) is gladness, but the expectation of the wicked (those who are out of harmony with God) comes to nothing.
29 The way of the Lord is strength and a stronghold to the upright, but it is destruction to the workers of iniquity.
30 The [consistently] righteous shall never be removed, but the wicked shall not inhabit the earth [eventually].(G)
31 The mouths of the righteous (those harmonious with God) bring forth skillful and godly Wisdom, but the perverse tongue shall be cut down [like a barren and rotten tree].
32 The lips of the [uncompromisingly] righteous know [and therefore utter] what is acceptable, but the mouth of the wicked knows [and therefore speaks only] what is obstinately willful and contrary.
Footnotes
- Proverbs 10:10 The Septuagint (Greek translation of the Old Testament) so reads at this point.
- Proverbs 10:13 Recall that “Wisdom” is capitalized throughout the book of Proverbs as a reminder of its divine implications. See footnotes on Prov. 1:2 and Prov. 1:20.
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Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
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