The Bible — World English Bible
Proverbs 10
In brief
Proverbs 10 opens the great collection of Solomon's proverbs. Unlike the earlier chapters, these are no longer long speeches but short sayings that constantly set the righteous against the wicked, and the wise against the fool. They speak of work, wealth, words, hatred and love, and correction. The common thread is the fear of the LORD: whoever lives by God's wisdom stands firm, and whoever rejects it eventually collapses. These proverbs describe general tendencies, not automatic promises.
The chapter in 5 parts
1The proverbs of Solomon. A wise son makes a glad father; but a foolish son brings grief to his mother.
2Treasures of wickedness profit nothing, but righteousness delivers from death.
3Yahweh will not allow the soul of the righteous to go hungry, but he thrusts away the desire of the wicked.
4He becomes poor who works with a lazy hand, but the hand of the diligent brings wealth.
5He who gathers in summer is a wise son, but he who sleeps during the harvest is a son who causes shame.
6Blessings are on the head of the righteous, but violence covers the mouth of the wicked.
7The memory of the righteous is blessed, but the name of the wicked will rot.
8The wise in heart accept commandments, but a chattering fool will fall.
9He who walks blamelessly walks surely, but he who perverts his ways will be found out.
10One winking with the eye causes sorrow, but a chattering fool will fall.
11The mouth of the righteous is a spring of life, but violence covers the mouth of the wicked.
12Hatred stirs up strife, but love covers all wrongs.
13Wisdom is found on the lips of him who has discernment, but a rod is for the back of him who is void of understanding.
14Wise men lay up knowledge, but the mouth of the foolish is near ruin.
15The rich man’s wealth is his strong city. The destruction of the poor is their poverty.
16The labor of the righteous leads to life. The increase of the wicked leads to sin.
17He is in the way of life who heeds correction, but he who forsakes reproof leads others astray.
18He who hides hatred has lying lips. He who utters a slander is a fool.
19In the multitude of words there is no lack of disobedience, but he who restrains his lips does wisely.
20The tongue of the righteous is like choice silver. The heart of the wicked is of little worth.
21The lips of the righteous feed many, but the foolish die for lack of understanding.
22Yahweh’s blessing brings wealth, and he adds no trouble to it.
23It is a fool’s pleasure to do wickedness, but wisdom is a man of understanding’s pleasure.
24What the wicked fear, will overtake them, but the desire of the righteous will be granted.
25When the whirlwind passes, the wicked is no more; but the righteous stand firm forever.
26As vinegar to the teeth, and as smoke to the eyes, so is the sluggard to those who send him.
27The fear of Yahweh prolongs days, but the years of the wicked shall be shortened.
28The prospect of the righteous is joy, but the hope of the wicked will perish.
29The way of Yahweh is a stronghold to the upright, but it is a destruction to the workers of iniquity.
30The righteous will never be removed, but the wicked will not dwell in the land.
31The mouth of the righteous produces wisdom, but the perverse tongue will be cut off.
32The lips of the righteous know what is acceptable, but the mouth of the wicked is perverse.
Key verses
Hatred stirs up strife, but love covers all wrongs.
Hatred feeds quarrels, while love chooses not to expose every fault of the other person. To cover does not mean to hide evil, but to refuse to use it as an accusation.
In the multitude of words there is no lack of disobedience, but he who restrains his lips does wisely.
The verse calls for restraint: the more we talk, the more likely we are to hurt someone or to lie. Prudence means knowing when to be silent.
Yahweh’s blessing brings wealth, and he adds no trouble to it.
Blessing comes from God and not from human effort alone. The text adds that it brings no sorrow with it: what God gives does not carry the poison of greed.
The fear of Yahweh prolongs days, but the years of the wicked shall be shortened.
The fear of the LORD is respect and trust toward God. The proverb sees it as a principle for living, without making it a mechanical guarantee in every case.
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Frequently asked questions about Proverbs 10
What does Proverbs 10:12 mean by “love covers all wrongs”?
This verse contrasts hatred, which stirs up quarrels, with love, which does not try to expose every fault. To cover does not mean to deny evil or approve it. It means to forgive, not to dwell on it, and to protect the relationship rather than win an argument. The New Testament picks up this idea in 1 Peter 4:8.
What is the message of Proverbs 10?
The chapter contrasts two paths: that of the righteous and wise, and that of the wicked and the fool. It speaks of work, words, correction and blessing. The central principle is that a life following God's wisdom is solid, while evil eventually collapses. These are sayings of wisdom, not guaranteed promises.
What does Proverbs 10:22 say about the blessing of the LORD?
The verse says that true wealth comes from God's blessing and that it comes with no sorrow. Some see it mainly as material provision, others as a broader blessing that shapes character. Either way, the text invites us to receive from God rather than expect everything from our own efforts.
Articles quoting Proverbs 10
- 20 Bible Verses for Small Business Owners: Integrity, Diligence and Trust in God
- 20 Bible Verses About Words and the Tongue
- Genesis 1:28: Reaping the Rewards of a Go Season
- Ephesians 1: You Are Rich, Stop Living Like a Beggar
- When Distress Drives You to the Feet of Jesus
- Your Distress Will Not Bury You: It Reveals His Glory
World English Bible translation — public domain.