9 People with integrity walk safely, but those who follow crooked paths will be exposed.
10 People who wink at wrong cause trouble, but a bold reproof promotes peace.
11 The words of the godly are a life-giving fountain; the words of the wicked conceal violent intentions.
12 Hatred stirs up quarrels, but love makes up for all offenses.
13 Wise words come from the lips of people with understanding, but those lacking sense will be beaten with a rod.
14 Wise people treasure knowledge, but the babbling of a fool invites disaster.
15 The wealth of the rich is their fortress; the poverty of the poor is their destruction.
16 The earnings of the godly enhance their lives, but evil people squander their money on sin.
17 People who accept discipline are on the pathway to life, but those who ignore correction will go astray.
18 Hiding hatred makes you a liar; slandering others makes you a fool.
19 Too much talk leads to sin. Be sensible and keep your mouth shut.
20 The words of the godly are like sterling silver; the heart of a fool is worthless. 21 The words of the godly encourage many, but fools are destroyed by their lack of common sense.
22 The blessing of the Lord makes a person rich, and he adds no sorrow with it.
23 Doing wrong is fun for a fool, but living wisely brings pleasure to the sensible.
24 The fears of the wicked will be fulfilled; the hopes of the godly will be granted. 25 When the storms of life come, the wicked are whirled away, but the godly have a lasting foundation.
26 Lazy people irritate their employers, like vinegar to the teeth or smoke in the eyes.
27 Fear of the Lord lengthens one's life, but the years of the wicked are cut short. 28 The hopes of the godly result in happiness, but the expectations of the wicked come to nothing.
29 The way of the Lord is a stronghold to those with integrity, but it destroys the wicked. 30 The godly will never be disturbed, but the wicked will be removed from the land.
31 The mouth of the godly person gives wise advice, but the tongue that deceives will be cut off. 32 The lips of the godly speak helpful words, but the mouth of the wicked speaks perverse words.
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Proverbs 10:9-32
Commentary on Proverbs 10:9
(Read Proverbs 10:9)
Dissemblers, after all their shuffling, will be exposed.
Commentary on Proverbs 10:10
(Read Proverbs 10:10)
Trick and artifice will be no excuse for iniquity.
Commentary on Proverbs 10:11
(Read Proverbs 10:11)
The good man's mouth is always open to teach, comfort, and correct others.
Commentary on Proverbs 10:12
(Read Proverbs 10:12)
Where there is hatred, every thing stirs up strife. By bearing with each other, peace and harmony are preserved.
Commentary on Proverbs 10:13
(Read Proverbs 10:13)
Those that foolishly go on in wicked ways, prepare rods for themselves.
Commentary on Proverbs 10:14
(Read Proverbs 10:14)
Whatever knowledge may be useful, we must lay it up, that it may not be to seek when we want it. The wise gain this wisdom by reading, by hearing the word, by meditation, by prayer, by faith in Christ, who is made of God unto us wisdom.
Commentary on Proverbs 10:15
(Read Proverbs 10:15)
This refers to the common mistakes both of rich and poor, as to their outward condition. Rich people's wealth exposes them to many dangers; while a poor man may live comfortably, if he is content, keeps a good conscience, and lives by faith.
Commentary on Proverbs 10:16
(Read Proverbs 10:16)
Perhaps a righteous man has no more than what he works hard for, but that labour tends to life.
Commentary on Proverbs 10:17
(Read Proverbs 10:17)
The traveller that has missed his way, and cannot bear to be told of it, and to be shown the right way, must err still.
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.