18 He that hideth hatred is of lying lips; And he that uttereth a slander is a fool.
19 In the multitude of words there wanteth not transgression; But he that refraineth his lips doeth wisely.
20 The tongue of the righteous is [as] choice silver: The heart of the wicked is little worth. 21 The lips of the righteous feed many; But the foolish die for lack of understanding.
22 The blessing of Jehovah, it maketh rich; And he addeth no sorrow therewith.
23 It is as sport to a fool to do wickedness; And [so is] wisdom to a man of understanding.
24 The fear of the wicked, it shall come upon him; And the desire of the righteous shall be granted. 25 When the whirlwind passeth, the wicked is no more; But the righteous is an everlasting foundation.
26 As vinegar to the teeth, and as smoke to the eyes, So is the sluggard to them that send him.
27 The fear of Jehovah prolongeth days; But the years of the wicked shall be shortened. 28 The hope of the righteous [shall be] gladness; But the expectation of the wicked shall perish.
29 The way of Jehovah is a stronghold to the upright; But it is a destruction to the workers of iniquity. 30 The righteous shall never be removed; But the wicked shall not dwell in the land.
31 The mouth of the righteous bringeth forth wisdom; But the perverse tongue shall be cut off. 32 The lips of the righteous know what is acceptable; But the mouth of the wicked [speaketh] perverseness.
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Proverbs 10:18-32
Commentary on Proverbs 10:18
(Read Proverbs 10:18)
He is especially a fool who thinks to hide anything from God; and malice is no better.
Commentary on Proverbs 10:19
(Read Proverbs 10:19)
Those that speak much, speak much amiss. He that checks himself is a wise man, and therein consults his own peace.
Commentary on Proverbs 10:20-21
(Read Proverbs 10:20-21)
The tongue of the just is sincere, freed from the dross of guile and evil design. Pious discourse is spiritual food to the needy. Fools die for want of a heart, so the word is; for want of thought.
Commentary on Proverbs 10:22
(Read Proverbs 10:22)
That wealth which is truly desirable, has no vexation of spirit in the enjoyment; no grief for the loss; no guilt by the abuse of it. What comes from the love of God, has the grace of God for its companion.
Commentary on Proverbs 10:23
(Read Proverbs 10:23)
Only foolish and wicked men divert themselves with doing harm to others, or tempting to sin.
Commentary on Proverbs 10:24
(Read Proverbs 10:24)
The largest desire of eternal blessings the righteous can form, will be granted.
Commentary on Proverbs 10:25
(Read Proverbs 10:25)
The course of prosperous sinners is like a whirlwind, which soon spends itself, and is gone.
Commentary on Proverbs 10:26
(Read Proverbs 10:26)
As vinegar sets the teeth on edge, and as the smoke causes the eyes to smart, so the sluggard vexes his employer.
Commentary on Proverbs 10:27-28
(Read Proverbs 10:27-28)
What man is he that loves life? Let him fear God, and that will secure to him life enough in this world, and eternal life in the other.
Commentary on Proverbs 10:29
(Read Proverbs 10:29)
The believer grows stronger in faith, and obeys with increased delight.
Commentary on Proverbs 10:30
(Read Proverbs 10:30)
The wicked would be glad to have this earth their home for ever, but it cannot be so. They must die and leave all their idols behind.
Commentary on Proverbs 10:31-32
(Read Proverbs 10:31-32)
A good man discourses wisely for the benefit of others. But it is the sin, and will be the ruin of a wicked man, that he speaks what is displeasing to God, and provoking to those he converses with. The righteous is kept by the power of God; and nothing shall be able to separate him from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus.