Proverbs 10 Study Notes: Solomon's Sayings Begin
A new collection of Solomon's short sayings begins, contrasting the righteous and the wicked. The sayings cover wise and foolish sons, honest and dishonest gain, hard work and laziness, careful and careless speech, love that forgives, and the lasting security of the righteous.
General
What do 10:4-5 and 10:26 teach about laziness?
Answer: Laziness brings poverty and frustrates those who rely on you
Verse 4 contrasts slack hands, which lead to poverty, with diligent hands, which bring wealth. Verse 5 praises the son who gathers the crop in summer and calls the one who sleeps through harvest a disgrace. Verse 26 adds a vivid picture: a lazy messenger is as unpleasant to whoever sends him on an errand as sour vinegar on the teeth or smoke in the eyes. Laziness hurts the lazy person and everyone depending on him. Proverbs points to the ant, which stores up food at the right season (6:6-8), says the slacker craves but gets nothing (13:4), and Paul tells the church that anyone unwilling to work should not eat (2 Thessalonians 3:10).
- Proverbs 10:4-5 (BSB)“Idle hands make one poor, but diligent hands bring wealth. He who gathers in summer is a wise son, but he who sleeps during harvest is a disgraceful son.”Idleness is contrasted with diligence, and the son who works in season with the one who sleeps at harvest.
- Proverbs 10:26 (BSB)“Like vinegar to the teeth and smoke to the eyes, so is the slacker to those who send him.”A vivid picture of how irritating a lazy messenger is to those who rely on him.
- Proverbs 6:6-8 (BSB)“Walk in the manner of the ant, O slacker; observe its ways and become wise. Without a commander, without an overseer or ruler, it prepares its provisions in summer; it gathers its food at harvest.”The ant is held up as a model of storing food in summer and at harvest.
- Proverbs 13:4 (BSB)“The slacker craves yet has nothing, but the soul of the diligent is fully satisfied.”The slacker wants but gets nothing, while the diligent are satisfied.
- 2 Thessalonians 3:10 (BSB)“For even while we were with you, we gave you this command: “If anyone is unwilling to work, he shall not eat.””Paul commands that the one unwilling to work should not eat.
Theological
What do 10:4-5 and 10:26 teach about the sluggard?
Answer: Laziness brings poverty and frustrates those who rely on you
Verse 4 sets slack hands, which impoverish, against diligent hands, which enrich; verse 5 contrasts the prudent son who harvests in season with the shameful son who sleeps through harvest. Verse 26 adds a comparative image: the sluggard irritates whoever sends him the way vinegar sets teeth on edge and smoke stings the eyes. Sloth is both self-destructive and a burden on others. The ant models seasonal industry (6:6-8), the sluggard craves without gain (13:4), and Paul applies the principle in 2 Thessalonians 3:10.
- Proverbs 10:4-5 (BSB)“Idle hands make one poor, but diligent hands bring wealth. He who gathers in summer is a wise son, but he who sleeps during harvest is a disgraceful son.”Idleness is contrasted with diligence, and the son who works in season with the one who sleeps at harvest.
- Proverbs 10:26 (BSB)“Like vinegar to the teeth and smoke to the eyes, so is the slacker to those who send him.”A vivid picture of how irritating a lazy messenger is to those who rely on him.
- Proverbs 6:6-8 (BSB)“Walk in the manner of the ant, O slacker; observe its ways and become wise. Without a commander, without an overseer or ruler, it prepares its provisions in summer; it gathers its food at harvest.”The ant is held up as a model of storing food in summer and at harvest.
- Proverbs 13:4 (BSB)“The slacker craves yet has nothing, but the soul of the diligent is fully satisfied.”The slacker wants but gets nothing, while the diligent are satisfied.
- 2 Thessalonians 3:10 (BSB)“For even while we were with you, we gave you this command: “If anyone is unwilling to work, he shall not eat.””Paul commands that the one unwilling to work should not eat.
General
True or False: 10:27 is a guarantee that every person who fears the LORD will live longer than every wicked person.
Answer: False
This is false. Verse 27 says that the fear of the LORD adds length to life, while wicked people find their years cut back, and verse 28 says what the righteous hope for ends in joy while the wicked's expectations come to nothing. Proverbs describes how life generally goes under God's rule; it is not an unconditional promise for every case. The Teacher in Ecclesiastes saw a good man perish while an evil man lived on (Ecclesiastes 7:15). The psalmist was troubled by the success of the wicked until he entered God's sanctuary and understood their end (Psalm 73:16-17). Moses tied loving the LORD to life and long days in the land (Deuteronomy 30:19-20).
- Proverbs 10:27-28 (BSB)“The fear of the LORD prolongs life, but the years of the wicked will be cut short. The hope of the righteous is joy, but the expectations of the wicked will perish.”Fearing the LORD is linked with a long life and joyful hope; the wicked's years and expectations are cut off.
- Ecclesiastes 7:15 (BSB)“In my futile life I have seen both of these: A righteous man perishing in his righteousness, and a wicked man living long in his wickedness.”The Teacher observes that the general pattern has exceptions in this life.
- Psalm 73:16-17 (BSB)“When I tried to understand all this, it was troublesome in my sight until I entered God’s sanctuary; then I discerned their end.”The psalmist understood the end of the wicked only when he entered God's sanctuary.
- Deuteronomy 30:19-20 (BSB)“I call heaven and earth as witnesses against you today that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing. Therefore choose life, so that you and your descendants may live, and that you may love the LORD your God, obey Him, and hold fast to Him. For He is your life, and He will prolong your life in the land that the LORD swore to give to your fathers, to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.””Moses links loving and obeying the LORD with life and length of days.
Theological
True or False: 10:27 functions as an unconditional guarantee that every God-fearing person will outlive every wicked person.
Answer: False
This is false. Verse 27 states the general pattern: the fear of the LORD lengthens life while the years of wicked people are cut back, and verse 28 sets the joy awaiting the righteous against the perishing expectation of the wicked. As proverbial wisdom, it describes God's ordinary governance rather than a promise for every case; Ecclesiastes 7:15 records the exceptions, and Psalm 73:16-17 shows the psalmist resolving the apparent prosperity of the wicked by discerning their end. Deuteronomy 30:19-20 grounds the pattern in covenant love for the LORD, who is His people's life.
- Proverbs 10:27-28 (BSB)“The fear of the LORD prolongs life, but the years of the wicked will be cut short. The hope of the righteous is joy, but the expectations of the wicked will perish.”Fearing the LORD is linked with a long life and joyful hope; the wicked's years and expectations are cut off.
- Ecclesiastes 7:15 (BSB)“In my futile life I have seen both of these: A righteous man perishing in his righteousness, and a wicked man living long in his wickedness.”The Teacher observes that the general pattern has exceptions in this life.
- Psalm 73:16-17 (BSB)“When I tried to understand all this, it was troublesome in my sight until I entered God’s sanctuary; then I discerned their end.”The psalmist understood the end of the wicked only when he entered God's sanctuary.
- Deuteronomy 30:19-20 (BSB)“I call heaven and earth as witnesses against you today that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing. Therefore choose life, so that you and your descendants may live, and that you may love the LORD your God, obey Him, and hold fast to Him. For He is your life, and He will prolong your life in the land that the LORD swore to give to your fathers, to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.””Moses links loving and obeying the LORD with life and length of days.
General
According to 10:12, what does love do that hatred does not?
Answer: Love covers offenses instead of provoking strife
Verse 12 contrasts two attitudes. Hatred stirs up conflict, while love covers over every wrong. To cover here means to forgive and not keep bringing up an offense, not to pretend sin does not matter. Peter echoes this saying when he urges believers to love each other earnestly, since love covers many sins (1 Peter 4:8). Proverbs adds that overlooking an offense builds love, while repeating it divides friends (17:9), and James speaks of covering many sins by turning a sinner back from his wrong path (James 5:20).
- Proverbs 10:12 (BSB)“Hatred stirs up dissension, but love covers all transgressions.”Hatred provokes conflict, but love covers offenses.
- 1 Peter 4:8 (BSB)“Above all, love one another deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins.”Peter echoes this saying when he urges deep love because love covers many sins.
- Proverbs 17:9 (BSB)“Whoever conceals an offense promotes love, but he who brings it up separates friends.”Overlooking an offense promotes love, while repeating it separates friends.
- James 5:20 (BSB)“consider this: Whoever turns a sinner from the error of his way will save his soul from death and cover over a multitude of sins.”Turning a sinner back covers over a multitude of sins.
Theological
What contrast does 10:12 draw between hatred and love?
Answer: Love covers offenses instead of provoking strife
The antithesis sets hatred, which stirs up strife, against love, which covers all offenses. Covering here means forbearance and forgiveness, not denial that sin is sin. Peter echoes the saying in urging fervent mutual love because love covers many sins (1 Peter 4:8). Proverbs 17:9 applies the principle to friendship, and James 5:20 speaks of covering many sins by restoring a straying sinner.
- Proverbs 10:12 (BSB)“Hatred stirs up dissension, but love covers all transgressions.”Hatred provokes conflict, but love covers offenses.
- 1 Peter 4:8 (BSB)“Above all, love one another deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins.”Peter echoes this saying when he urges deep love because love covers many sins.
- Proverbs 17:9 (BSB)“Whoever conceals an offense promotes love, but he who brings it up separates friends.”Overlooking an offense promotes love, while repeating it separates friends.
- James 5:20 (BSB)“consider this: Whoever turns a sinner from the error of his way will save his soul from death and cover over a multitude of sins.”Turning a sinner back covers over a multitude of sins.
General
Which two sins of speech are condemned together in 10:18?
Answer: Hiding hatred with lies and spreading slander
Verse 18 condemns two opposite ways of misusing words. One person hides hatred behind deceitful talk, pretending to be friendly. Another spreads damaging reports about others, and the saying calls him a fool. Both are wrong. God's law already forbade going around slandering people and holding hatred in one's heart (Leviticus 19:16-17). Proverbs warns that a hateful person masks himself with his words (26:24), and the psalm describes the person who may live near God as someone who does not slander (Psalm 15:3).
- Proverbs 10:18 (BSB)“The one who conceals hatred has lying lips, and whoever spreads slander is a fool.”Concealed hatred and spreading slander are both condemned.
- Leviticus 19:16-17 (BSB)“You must not go about spreading slander among your people. You must not endanger the life of your neighbor. I am the LORD. You must not harbor hatred against your brother in your heart. Directly rebuke your neighbor, so that you will not incur guilt on account of him.”The law forbids both slander and harboring hatred in the heart.
- Proverbs 26:24 (BSB)“A hateful man disguises himself with his speech, but he lays up deceit in his heart.”A hateful person hides deceit in his heart behind his words.
- Psalm 15:3 (BSB)“who has no slander on his tongue, who does no harm to his neighbor, who casts no scorn on his friend,”The one who may dwell with the LORD does not slander.
Theological
Which two vices does 10:18 condemn together?
Answer: Hiding hatred with lies and spreading slander
Verse 18 pairs two distortions of speech: concealing hatred behind lying lips, and openly spreading slander, which marks one as a fool. Whether hatred is masked or broadcast, the tongue serves malice. The Mosaic law prohibits both slander and inward hatred of a brother (Leviticus 19:16-17), 26:24 describes the hater who masks himself with his words, and Psalm 15:3 lists freedom from slander among the marks of the one who may dwell with the LORD.
- Proverbs 10:18 (BSB)“The one who conceals hatred has lying lips, and whoever spreads slander is a fool.”Concealed hatred and spreading slander are both condemned.
- Leviticus 19:16-17 (BSB)“You must not go about spreading slander among your people. You must not endanger the life of your neighbor. I am the LORD. You must not harbor hatred against your brother in your heart. Directly rebuke your neighbor, so that you will not incur guilt on account of him.”The law forbids both slander and harboring hatred in the heart.
- Proverbs 26:24 (BSB)“A hateful man disguises himself with his speech, but he lays up deceit in his heart.”A hateful person hides deceit in his heart behind his words.
- Psalm 15:3 (BSB)“who has no slander on his tongue, who does no harm to his neighbor, who casts no scorn on his friend,”The one who may dwell with the LORD does not slander.
General
What contrast do the sayings in 10:2-3 draw about wealth and provision?
Answer: Wicked gain does not help, but the LORD cares for the righteous
Verse 2 says treasure gained by wickedness does no lasting good, while righteousness rescues from death. Verse 3 adds that the LORD keeps the righteous from starving, while He blocks what the wicked long for. Wealth gained wrongly cannot save anyone, and God Himself provides for people who live rightly. Proverbs repeats that riches cannot help when judgment comes (11:4), David says he never saw the righteous abandoned (Psalm 37:25), and Jesus tells His followers to seek God's kingdom first because the Father knows what they need (Matthew 6:31-33).
- Proverbs 10:2-3 (BSB)“Ill-gotten treasures profit nothing, but righteousness brings deliverance from death. The LORD does not let the righteous go hungry, but He denies the craving of the wicked.”Unjust gain is contrasted with righteousness, and the LORD's care for the righteous with His frustration of the wicked.
- Proverbs 11:4 (BSB)“Riches are worthless in the day of wrath, but righteousness brings deliverance from death.”Riches are worthless on the day of wrath, while righteousness rescues from death.
- Psalm 37:25 (BSB)“I once was young and now am old, yet never have I seen the righteous abandoned or their children begging for bread.”David testifies that he has never seen the righteous abandoned.
- Matthew 6:31-33 (BSB)“Therefore do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the Gentiles strive after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be added unto you.”Jesus tells His disciples to seek God's kingdom first, since the Father knows what they need.
Theological
What twofold contrast do 10:2-3 draw concerning gain and provision?
Answer: Wicked gain does not help, but the LORD cares for the righteous
Verse 2 sets wickedly acquired treasure, which profits nothing, against righteousness, which delivers from death. Verse 3 grounds the contrast in the LORD's providence: He keeps the righteous from starving and frustrates what the wicked long for. The same contrast recurs in 11:4, David's testimony in Psalm 37:25 affirms God's care for the righteous, and Jesus grounds freedom from anxiety in the Father's knowledge of His children's needs (Matthew 6:31-33).
- Proverbs 10:2-3 (BSB)“Ill-gotten treasures profit nothing, but righteousness brings deliverance from death. The LORD does not let the righteous go hungry, but He denies the craving of the wicked.”Unjust gain is contrasted with righteousness, and the LORD's care for the righteous with His frustration of the wicked.
- Proverbs 11:4 (BSB)“Riches are worthless in the day of wrath, but righteousness brings deliverance from death.”Riches are worthless on the day of wrath, while righteousness rescues from death.
- Psalm 37:25 (BSB)“I once was young and now am old, yet never have I seen the righteous abandoned or their children begging for bread.”David testifies that he has never seen the righteous abandoned.
- Matthew 6:31-33 (BSB)“Therefore do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the Gentiles strive after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be added unto you.”Jesus tells His disciples to seek God's kingdom first, since the Father knows what they need.
General
True or False: 10:9 teaches that a person who takes crooked paths can count on never being found out.
Answer: False
This is false. Verse 9 says the person who lives with integrity walks safely and with confidence, but the one who makes his ways crooked will be exposed. Integrity means being the same in private as in public, with nothing to hide. A dishonest life carries the constant risk of discovery. Proverbs says the upright are kept safe while the crooked fall suddenly (28:18), Moses warns that a person's sin will find him out (Numbers 32:23), and Jesus says everything hidden will be made known (Luke 12:2).
- Proverbs 10:9 (BSB)“He who walks in integrity walks securely, but he who perverts his ways will be found out.”The person of integrity is secure, while the crooked will be exposed.
- Proverbs 28:18 (BSB)“He who walks with integrity will be kept safe, but whoever is perverse in his ways will suddenly fall.”The one who walks with integrity is kept safe; the perverse fall suddenly.
- Numbers 32:23 (BSB)“But if you do not do this, you will certainly sin against the LORD—and be assured that your sin will find you out.”Moses warns that sin will find a person out.
- Luke 12:2 (BSB)“There is nothing concealed that will not be disclosed, and nothing hidden that will not be made known.”Jesus says nothing concealed will stay hidden.
Theological
True or False: According to 10:9, the one who makes his conduct crooked may rely on remaining undetected.
Answer: False
This is false. The couplet sets the security of integrity against the exposure of crookedness: the one who walks blamelessly walks safely, while the one who makes his paths crooked will be exposed. Integrity has nothing to conceal; deceit lives under threat of discovery. The same contrast appears in 28:18, Numbers 32:23 warns that sin will find the sinner out, and Luke 12:2 announces that everything concealed will be disclosed.
- Proverbs 10:9 (BSB)“He who walks in integrity walks securely, but he who perverts his ways will be found out.”The person of integrity is secure, while the crooked will be exposed.
- Proverbs 28:18 (BSB)“He who walks with integrity will be kept safe, but whoever is perverse in his ways will suddenly fall.”The one who walks with integrity is kept safe; the perverse fall suddenly.
- Numbers 32:23 (BSB)“But if you do not do this, you will certainly sin against the LORD—and be assured that your sin will find you out.”Moses warns that sin will find a person out.
- Luke 12:2 (BSB)“There is nothing concealed that will not be disclosed, and nothing hidden that will not be made known.”Jesus says nothing concealed will stay hidden.
General
What contrast does 10:7 draw between the righteous and the wicked after they are gone?
Answer: Recalling the righteous blesses; the wicked's name decays
Verse 7 contrasts how people are remembered. Recalling a righteous person brings blessing, but the reputation of the wicked rots away like something decaying. A life lived rightly leaves a good legacy, while wickedness leaves nothing worth keeping. The psalmist says a righteous person is never forgotten (Psalm 112:6), and Job's friend Bildad describes the wicked man's memory perishing from the earth (Job 18:17).
- Proverbs 10:7 (BSB)“The memory of the righteous is a blessing, but the name of the wicked will rot.”The lasting reputation of the righteous is contrasted with the decaying name of the wicked.
- Psalm 112:6 (BSB)“Surely he will never be shaken; the righteous man will be remembered forever.”The righteous man is remembered forever.
- Job 18:17 (BSB)“The memory of him perishes from the earth, and he has no name in the land.”The wicked man's memory vanishes and he has no name left in the land.
Theological
What antithesis does 10:7 draw concerning the legacy of the righteous and the wicked?
Answer: Recalling the righteous blesses; the wicked's name decays
The couplet contrasts memory and name: remembrance of the righteous becomes a blessing, while the reputation of the wicked decays. Character determines legacy. Psalm 112:6 affirms that the righteous are held in lasting memory, and Bildad's description of the wicked in Job 18:17 has his memory perish so that no one in the land recalls him.
- Proverbs 10:7 (BSB)“The memory of the righteous is a blessing, but the name of the wicked will rot.”The lasting reputation of the righteous is contrasted with the decaying name of the wicked.
- Psalm 112:6 (BSB)“Surely he will never be shaken; the righteous man will be remembered forever.”The righteous man is remembered forever.
- Job 18:17 (BSB)“The memory of him perishes from the earth, and he has no name in the land.”The wicked man's memory vanishes and he has no name left in the land.
General
True or False: 10:19 teaches that talking a great deal makes sinning with one's words more likely.
Answer: True
This is true. Verse 19 says that where there are many words, sin cannot be avoided, but the person who holds back his words is wise. The more a person talks without thinking, the more chances there are to say something false, unkind, or foolish. James tells believers to listen readily and speak slowly (James 1:19) and admits that everyone stumbles in speech (James 3:2), and the Teacher advises keeping one's words few before God (Ecclesiastes 5:2).
- Proverbs 10:19 (BSB)“When words are many, sin is unavoidable, but he who restrains his lips is wise.”Many words make sin unavoidable; the wise hold their tongue.
- James 1:19 (BSB)“My beloved brothers, understand this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to anger,”Believers should be quick to listen and slow to speak.
- James 3:2 (BSB)“We all stumble in many ways. If anyone is never at fault in what he says, he is a perfect man, able to control his whole body.”Whoever never stumbles in speech would be a perfect man.
- Ecclesiastes 5:2 (BSB)“Do not be quick to speak, and do not be hasty in your heart to utter a word before God. For God is in heaven and you are on earth. So let your words be few.”The Teacher advises letting one's words be few before God.
Theological
True or False: 10:19 teaches that an abundance of words makes transgression impossible to avoid, while restraint is wise.
Answer: True
This is true. The couplet ties verbal excess to sin that cannot be escaped and verbal restraint to wisdom. The more one speaks, the more occasion for falsehood, harshness, or folly. James echoes the counsel to be slow to speak (James 1:19) and acknowledges that no one but a perfect man avoids stumbling in speech (James 3:2), and Ecclesiastes 5:2 counsels few words before God.
- Proverbs 10:19 (BSB)“When words are many, sin is unavoidable, but he who restrains his lips is wise.”Many words make sin unavoidable; the wise hold their tongue.
- James 1:19 (BSB)“My beloved brothers, understand this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to anger,”Believers should be quick to listen and slow to speak.
- James 3:2 (BSB)“We all stumble in many ways. If anyone is never at fault in what he says, he is a perfect man, able to control his whole body.”Whoever never stumbles in speech would be a perfect man.
- Ecclesiastes 5:2 (BSB)“Do not be quick to speak, and do not be hasty in your heart to utter a word before God. For God is in heaven and you are on earth. So let your words be few.”The Teacher advises letting one's words be few before God.
General
What picture of stability do 10:25 and 10:29-30 give for the righteous?
Answer: They stand firm when the storm has swept the wicked away
Verse 25 pictures a violent storm passing through: afterward the wicked are gone, but the righteous remain safe for all time. Verses 29-30 add that the LORD's way is a shelter for the upright, and the righteous will stay firm forever, while the wicked will have no lasting place in the land. The righteous are not promised that storms will never come, but that they will stand when the storm is over, because their security rests in the LORD. Jesus uses the same kind of picture: the house built on the rock stands through the storm, while the one on sand falls (Matthew 7:24-27). Those who trust the LORD are as steady as Mount Zion (Psalm 125:1), and the LORD proves a stronghold in times of trouble (Nahum 1:7).
- Proverbs 10:25 (BSB)“When the whirlwind passes, the wicked are no more, but the righteous are secure forever.”When the storm sweeps through, the wicked are gone but the righteous stand firm.
- Proverbs 10:29-30 (BSB)“The way of the LORD is a refuge to the upright, but destruction awaits those who do evil. The righteous will never be shaken, but the wicked will not inhabit the land.”The LORD's way shelters the upright, and the righteous will never be uprooted.
- Matthew 7:24-27 (BSB)“Therefore everyone who hears these words of Mine and acts on them is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. The rain fell, the torrents raged, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because its foundation was on the rock. But everyone who hears these words of Mine and does not act on them is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. The rain fell, the torrents raged, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell—and great was its collapse!””Jesus contrasts the house on the rock, which stands in the storm, with the house on sand, which falls.
- Psalm 125:1 (BSB)“A song of ascents. Those who trust in the LORD are like Mount Zion. It cannot be moved; it abides forever.”Those who trust in the LORD are as immovable as Mount Zion.
- Nahum 1:7 (BSB)“The LORD is good, a stronghold in the day of distress; He cares for those who trust in Him.”The LORD is a stronghold in the day of distress.
Theological
What image of security for the righteous do 10:25 and 10:29-30 present?
Answer: They stand firm when the storm has swept the wicked away
Verse 25 contrasts the aftermath of the whirlwind: the wicked are gone, while the righteous stand secure for all time. Verses 29-30 ground this in the LORD's way, which is a refuge for the upright, and affirm that the righteous will stay immovable while the wicked will have no lasting place in the land. The promise is not exemption from the storm but endurance through it, secured by the LORD. Jesus' parable of the two builders uses the same imagery (Matthew 7:24-27), Psalm 125:1 likens people who rely on the LORD to immovable Mount Zion, and Nahum 1:7 calls the LORD a fortress when trouble comes.
- Proverbs 10:25 (BSB)“When the whirlwind passes, the wicked are no more, but the righteous are secure forever.”When the storm sweeps through, the wicked are gone but the righteous stand firm.
- Proverbs 10:29-30 (BSB)“The way of the LORD is a refuge to the upright, but destruction awaits those who do evil. The righteous will never be shaken, but the wicked will not inhabit the land.”The LORD's way shelters the upright, and the righteous will never be uprooted.
- Matthew 7:24-27 (BSB)“Therefore everyone who hears these words of Mine and acts on them is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. The rain fell, the torrents raged, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because its foundation was on the rock. But everyone who hears these words of Mine and does not act on them is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. The rain fell, the torrents raged, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell—and great was its collapse!””Jesus contrasts the house on the rock, which stands in the storm, with the house on sand, which falls.
- Psalm 125:1 (BSB)“A song of ascents. Those who trust in the LORD are like Mount Zion. It cannot be moved; it abides forever.”Those who trust in the LORD are as immovable as Mount Zion.
- Nahum 1:7 (BSB)“The LORD is good, a stronghold in the day of distress; He cares for those who trust in Him.”The LORD is a stronghold in the day of distress.
General
How does 10:1 open the new section of the book?
Answer: With a heading for Solomon's sayings and a saying on sons
Chapters 1-9 were long speeches and poems. At 10:1 a new heading introduces a collection of Solomon's proverbs, and from here the book is made mostly of short two-line sayings. The first one is about family: a son who is wise makes his father glad, while a foolish son brings his mother sorrow (10:1). Wisdom and folly are never private matters; they affect the people who love us. Solomon was known for composing thousands of proverbs (1 Kings 4:32), a later saying repeats the same thought (15:20), and another describes a father and mother rejoicing over a wise child (23:24-25).
- Proverbs 10:1 (BSB)“The proverbs of Solomon: A wise son brings joy to his father, but a foolish son grief to his mother.”A new heading introduces a collection of Solomon's sayings, starting with a son's effect on his parents.
- 1 Kings 4:32 (BSB)“Solomon composed three thousand proverbs, and his songs numbered a thousand and five.”Solomon is remembered as the composer of thousands of proverbs.
- Proverbs 15:20 (BSB)“A wise son brings joy to his father, but a foolish man despises his mother.”A later saying repeats the joy a wise son gives his father.
- Proverbs 23:24-25 (BSB)“The father of a righteous man will greatly rejoice, and he who fathers a wise son will delight in him. May your father and mother be glad, and may she who gave you birth rejoice!”A father and mother rejoice over a child who is wise and righteous.
Theological
How does 10:1 mark the start of a new section of Proverbs?
Answer: With a heading for Solomon's sayings and a saying on sons
After the extended discourses of chapters 1-9, 10:1 introduces a collection of Solomon's proverbs, and the form shifts to mostly independent two-line sayings. The first is an antithetic couplet about a son's character and its effect on his parents: gladness for the father from a wise son, grief for the mother from a foolish one. Wisdom and folly have relational consequences. The heading accords with Solomon's reputation as the author of three thousand proverbs (1 Kings 4:32), its first line recurs in 15:20, and 23:24-25 develops the parents' joy over a righteous and wise child.
- Proverbs 10:1 (BSB)“The proverbs of Solomon: A wise son brings joy to his father, but a foolish son grief to his mother.”A new heading introduces a collection of Solomon's sayings, starting with a son's effect on his parents.
- 1 Kings 4:32 (BSB)“Solomon composed three thousand proverbs, and his songs numbered a thousand and five.”Solomon is remembered as the composer of thousands of proverbs.
- Proverbs 15:20 (BSB)“A wise son brings joy to his father, but a foolish man despises his mother.”A later saying repeats the joy a wise son gives his father.
- Proverbs 23:24-25 (BSB)“The father of a righteous man will greatly rejoice, and he who fathers a wise son will delight in him. May your father and mother be glad, and may she who gave you birth rejoice!”A father and mother rejoice over a child who is wise and righteous.
General
How do 10:11, 10:20-21, and 10:31-32 describe the speech of the righteous?
Answer: As a spring and precious metal that nourish others
Several sayings in this chapter are about the mouth. The words of the righteous are a spring of life (10:11). Their speech is like the finest silver, and their words feed many people, while fools perish because they lack sense (10:20-21). The righteous speak wisdom and know what fits the moment, but a crooked tongue will be silenced (10:31-32). Good words bring life and nourishment to others. Proverbs elsewhere compares wise words to a flowing stream (18:4), and Paul tells believers to speak what builds others up and gives grace (Ephesians 4:29), with speech that is always gracious (Colossians 4:6).
- Proverbs 10:11 (BSB)“The mouth of the righteous is a fountain of life, but the mouth of the wicked conceals violence.”The speech of the righteous is compared to a spring that gives life.
- Proverbs 10:20-21 (BSB)“The tongue of the righteous is choice silver, but the heart of the wicked has little worth. The lips of the righteous feed many, but fools die for lack of judgment.”The words of the righteous are valuable and nourish many, while fools perish.
- Proverbs 10:31-32 (BSB)“The mouth of the righteous brings forth wisdom, but a perverse tongue will be cut out. The lips of the righteous know what is fitting, but the mouth of the wicked is perverse.”The righteous speak wisdom and know what is fitting; the twisted tongue will be silenced.
- Proverbs 18:4 (BSB)“The words of a man’s mouth are deep waters; the fountain of wisdom is a bubbling brook.”Wise words are compared to a flowing stream.
- Ephesians 4:29 (BSB)“Let no unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building up the one in need and bringing grace to those who listen.”Believers are to speak only what builds others up and gives grace.
- Colossians 4:6 (BSB)“Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.”Believers' speech should be gracious and seasoned with salt.
Theological
How do 10:11, 10:20-21, and 10:31-32 picture the speech of the righteous?
Answer: As a spring and precious metal that nourish others
The chapter's sayings on speech cluster around life-giving images: righteous speech is a life-giving spring (10:11); righteous words are prized like refined silver and nourish many, while fools perish for want of sense (10:20-21); the righteous speak wisdom and know what suits the moment, while the twisted tongue will be removed (10:31-32). Righteous speech is valuable and nourishing to others. The image of wisdom as a flowing stream in 18:4 is related, and Paul applies the principle in Ephesians 4:29 and Colossians 4:6.
- Proverbs 10:11 (BSB)“The mouth of the righteous is a fountain of life, but the mouth of the wicked conceals violence.”The speech of the righteous is compared to a spring that gives life.
- Proverbs 10:20-21 (BSB)“The tongue of the righteous is choice silver, but the heart of the wicked has little worth. The lips of the righteous feed many, but fools die for lack of judgment.”The words of the righteous are valuable and nourish many, while fools perish.
- Proverbs 10:31-32 (BSB)“The mouth of the righteous brings forth wisdom, but a perverse tongue will be cut out. The lips of the righteous know what is fitting, but the mouth of the wicked is perverse.”The righteous speak wisdom and know what is fitting; the twisted tongue will be silenced.
- Proverbs 18:4 (BSB)“The words of a man’s mouth are deep waters; the fountain of wisdom is a bubbling brook.”Wise words are compared to a flowing stream.
- Ephesians 4:29 (BSB)“Let no unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building up the one in need and bringing grace to those who listen.”Believers are to speak only what builds others up and gives grace.
- Colossians 4:6 (BSB)“Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.”Believers' speech should be gracious and seasoned with salt.
General
According to 10:8 and 10:17, what marks the person on the road to life?
Answer: Welcoming commands and taking instruction to heart
Verse 8 says a wise heart accepts commands, but the one whose lips speak folly is ruined. Verse 17 adds that whoever listens to instruction is headed toward life, while the person who ignores correction wanders from the right path. Being teachable is a mark of wisdom. Proverbs repeats this often: a love of discipline goes with a love of knowledge (12:1), and accepting correction leads to honor (13:18). Hebrews says that discipline hurts in the moment but later produces righteousness and peace (Hebrews 12:11).
- Proverbs 10:8 (BSB)“A wise heart will receive commandments, but foolish lips will come to ruin.”A wise heart accepts commands, while foolish talk ends in ruin.
- Proverbs 10:17 (BSB)“Whoever heeds instruction is on the path to life, but he who ignores reproof goes astray.”Heeding instruction is the road to life; ignoring correction leads off course.
- Proverbs 12:1 (BSB)“Whoever loves discipline loves knowledge, but he who hates correction is stupid.”Loving discipline is tied to loving knowledge.
- Proverbs 13:18 (BSB)“Poverty and shame come to him who ignores discipline, but whoever heeds correction is honored.”Accepting correction leads to honor.
- Hebrews 12:11 (BSB)“No discipline seems enjoyable at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it yields a harvest of righteousness and peace to those who have been trained by it.”Discipline is painful at first but later yields righteousness and peace.
Theological
According to 10:8 and 10:17, what disposition characterizes the one headed toward life?
Answer: Welcoming commands and taking instruction to heart
Verse 8 contrasts the wise of heart, who receive commandments, with the one whose foolish talk leads to his ruin; verse 17 puts heeding instruction on the road toward life and disregarding reproof on the path of error. Teachability is the hallmark of wisdom. The same principle appears in 12:1 and 13:18, and Hebrews 12:11 explains that discipline, though painful in the moment, later produces righteousness and peace in those trained by it.
- Proverbs 10:8 (BSB)“A wise heart will receive commandments, but foolish lips will come to ruin.”A wise heart accepts commands, while foolish talk ends in ruin.
- Proverbs 10:17 (BSB)“Whoever heeds instruction is on the path to life, but he who ignores reproof goes astray.”Heeding instruction is the road to life; ignoring correction leads off course.
- Proverbs 12:1 (BSB)“Whoever loves discipline loves knowledge, but he who hates correction is stupid.”Loving discipline is tied to loving knowledge.
- Proverbs 13:18 (BSB)“Poverty and shame come to him who ignores discipline, but whoever heeds correction is honored.”Accepting correction leads to honor.
- Hebrews 12:11 (BSB)“No discipline seems enjoyable at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it yields a harvest of righteousness and peace to those who have been trained by it.”Discipline is painful at first but later yields righteousness and peace.
General
According to 10:22, what is the source of the enrichment that comes without added sorrow?
Answer: Blessing from the LORD, to which He adds no grief
Verse 22 says it is the LORD's blessing that truly makes a person rich, and He does not add sorrow along with it. This is not a promise that believers will become wealthy; it teaches that whatever good we have comes from God, and what He gives is free from the troubles that come with wealth gained by greed or anxious striving. The psalmist says anxious toil is useless because God gives rest to those He loves (Psalm 127:2), Moses reminded Israel that the LORD is the One who enables them to prosper (Deuteronomy 8:17-18), and Paul warns that craving riches brings many sorrows, while a godly and contented life is real gain (1 Timothy 6:6-10).
- Proverbs 10:22 (BSB)“The blessing of the LORD enriches, and He adds no sorrow to it.”True enrichment comes from the LORD's blessing, which brings no sorrow with it.
- Psalm 127:2 (BSB)“In vain you rise early and stay up late, toiling for bread to eat—for He gives sleep to His beloved.”Anxious toil is futile, for God gives rest to those He loves.
- Deuteronomy 8:17-18 (BSB)“You might say in your heart, “The power and strength of my hands have made this wealth for me.” But remember that it is the LORD your God who gives you the power to gain wealth, in order to confirm His covenant that He swore to your fathers even to this day.”Israel must remember that it is the LORD who gives the power to gain wealth.
- 1 Timothy 6:6-10 (BSB)“Of course, godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into the world, so we cannot carry anything out of it. But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with these. Those who want to be rich, however, fall into temptation and become ensnared by many foolish and harmful desires that plunge them into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is the root of all kinds of evil. By craving it, some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many sorrows.”Godliness with contentment is great gain, while the craving for riches brings sorrows.
Theological
What does 10:22 identify as the source of enrichment unaccompanied by sorrow?
Answer: Blessing from the LORD, to which He adds no grief
Verse 22 attributes true enrichment to the LORD's blessing, which comes without any added grief. The saying is not a prosperity promise but a statement about the source and character of every good gift: what God gives is free of the grief that attends greed and anxious self-reliance. Psalm 127:2 declares anxious toil vain, Deuteronomy 8:17-18 credits the LORD with the ability to prosper, and 1 Timothy 6:6-10 sets contentment with godliness against the sorrows of those who crave riches.
- Proverbs 10:22 (BSB)“The blessing of the LORD enriches, and He adds no sorrow to it.”True enrichment comes from the LORD's blessing, which brings no sorrow with it.
- Psalm 127:2 (BSB)“In vain you rise early and stay up late, toiling for bread to eat—for He gives sleep to His beloved.”Anxious toil is futile, for God gives rest to those He loves.
- Deuteronomy 8:17-18 (BSB)“You might say in your heart, “The power and strength of my hands have made this wealth for me.” But remember that it is the LORD your God who gives you the power to gain wealth, in order to confirm His covenant that He swore to your fathers even to this day.”Israel must remember that it is the LORD who gives the power to gain wealth.
- 1 Timothy 6:6-10 (BSB)“Of course, godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into the world, so we cannot carry anything out of it. But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with these. Those who want to be rich, however, fall into temptation and become ensnared by many foolish and harmful desires that plunge them into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is the root of all kinds of evil. By craving it, some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many sorrows.”Godliness with contentment is great gain, while the craving for riches brings sorrows.
General
What do 10:15-16 set side by side?
Answer: What wealth and poverty do, and what each life earns
Verse 15 observes that wealth works like a walled city for the rich while poverty ruins the poor. It describes how money seems to give protection and how hard life is for the poor. Verse 16 then looks beyond money to what a life actually earns: the work of righteous people tends toward life, but what the wicked gain ends in punishment. A later saying shows the limits of wealth's protection: the LORD's name is the true strong tower, while the rich man's wall is high only in his own imagination (18:10-11). Paul uses the language of wages in a similar way: sin pays death, but God gives eternal life as a gift (Romans 6:23).
- Proverbs 10:15-16 (BSB)“The wealth of the rich man is his fortified city, but poverty is the ruin of the poor. The labor of the righteous leads to life, but the gain of the wicked brings punishment.”Wealth is a rich man's stronghold and poverty the ruin of the poor; the righteous earn life, the wicked punishment.
- Proverbs 18:10-11 (BSB)“The name of the LORD is a strong tower; the righteous run to it and are safe. A rich man’s wealth is his fortified city; it is like a high wall in his imagination.”The righteous run to the LORD's name for safety, while the rich man's wall exists only in his imagination.
- Romans 6:23 (BSB)“For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.”Sin pays out death, while God gives eternal life as a gift.
Theological
What two observations do 10:15-16 place side by side?
Answer: What wealth and poverty do, and what each life earns
Verse 15 is an observational saying: wealth functions as the rich man's fortified city, and poverty as what ruins those who are poor. Verse 16 moves from economic to moral outcomes: the wage of the righteous tends to life, the income of the wicked to punishment. Read with 18:10-11, the book shows the limits of wealth's security: the LORD's name is the true refuge, while the rich man's high wall exists only in his imagination. Romans 6:23 uses the same wage language, setting sin's wages of death against God's gift of eternal life.
- Proverbs 10:15-16 (BSB)“The wealth of the rich man is his fortified city, but poverty is the ruin of the poor. The labor of the righteous leads to life, but the gain of the wicked brings punishment.”Wealth is a rich man's stronghold and poverty the ruin of the poor; the righteous earn life, the wicked punishment.
- Proverbs 18:10-11 (BSB)“The name of the LORD is a strong tower; the righteous run to it and are safe. A rich man’s wealth is his fortified city; it is like a high wall in his imagination.”The righteous run to the LORD's name for safety, while the rich man's wall exists only in his imagination.
- Romans 6:23 (BSB)“For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.”Sin pays out death, while God gives eternal life as a gift.