18 He who conceals hatred has lying lips , And he who spreads slander is a fool .
19 When there are many words , transgression is unavoidable e , But he who restrains his lips is wise .
20 The tongue of the righteous is as choice silver , The heart of the wicked is worth little . 21 The lips of the righteous feed many , But fools die for lack of understanding .
22 It is the blessing of the Lord that makes rich , And He adds no sorrow to it.
23 Doing wickedness is like sport to a fool , And so is wisdom to a man of understanding .
24 What the wicked fears will come upon him, But the desire of the righteous will be granted . 25 When the whirlwind passes , the wicked is no more , But the righteous has an everlasting foundation .
26 Like vinegar to the teeth and smoke to the eyes , So is the lazy one to those who send him.
27 The fear of the Lord prolongs life , But the years of the wicked will be shortened . 28 The hope of the righteous is gladness , But the expectation of the wicked perishes .
29 The way of the Lord is a stronghold to the upright , But ruin to the workers of iniquity . 30 The righteous will never e be shaken , But the wicked will not dwell in the land .
31 The mouth of the righteous flows with wisdom , But the perverted tongue will be cut out. 32 The lips of the righteous bring forth what is acceptable , But the mouth of the wicked what is perverted .
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.