10:2Some people bring unhappiness on themselves by choosing tainted wealth, ill-gotten gain. For example, craving satisfaction, they may da something that destroys their chances of ever achieving happiness. God's principles for right living bring lasting happiness, because they guide us into long-term right behavior in spite of our ever-changing feelings.
Life Application Study BibleProverbsChapter 10
Proverbs 10
New Living Translation · Life Application Study Bible · Original pages: 1016, 1017, 1018
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10Proverbs 10
The Proverbs of Solomon
1The proverbs of Solomon:Awise child* brings joy to a father;a foolish child brings grief to a mother.
2Tainted wealth has no lasting value,but right living can save your life.
3The LORD will not let the godly go hungry,but he refuses to satisfy the craving of the wicked.
4Lazy people are soon poor;hard workers get rich.
5A wise youth harvests in the summer,but one who sleeps during harvest is a disgrace.
6The godly are showered with blessings; the words of the wicked conceal violent intentions.
7We have happy memories of the godly,but the name of a wicked person rots away.
8The wise are glad to be instructed,but babbling fools fall flat on their faces.
9People with integrity walk safely, but those who follow crooked paths will slip and fall.
10People who wink at wrong cause trouble,but a bold reproof promotes peace.*
11The words of the godly are a life-giving fountain; the words of the wicked conceal violent intentions.
12Hatred stirs up quarrels,but love makes up for all offenses.
13Wise words come from the lips of people with understanding, but those lacking sense will be beaten with a rod.
14Wise people treasure knowledge,but the babbling of a fool invites disaster.
15The wealth of the rich is their fortress;the poverty of the poor is their destruction.
16The earnings of the godly enhance their lives, but evil people squander their money on sin. 17People who accept discipline are on the pathway to life, but those who ignore correction will go astray.
18Hiding hatred makes you a liar;slandering others makes you a fool.
19Too much talk leads to sin.Be sensible and keep your mouth shut.
20The words of the godly are like sterling silver; the heart of a fool is worthless. 21The words of the godly encourage many, but fools are destroyed by their lack of common sense. 22The blessing of the LORD makes a person rich, and he adds no sorrow with it. 23Doing wrong is fun for a fool, but living wisely brings pleasure to the sensible. 25When the storms of life come, the wicked are whirled away, but the godly have a lasting foundation. 26Lazy people irritate their employers, like vinegar to the teeth or smoke in the eyes.
27Fear of the LORD lengthens one’s life,but the years of the wicked are cut short.
28The hopes of the godly result in happiness, but the expectations of the wicked come to nothing. 29The way of the LORD is a stronghold to those with integrity, but it destroys the wicked. 30The godly will never be disturbed, but the wicked will be removed from the land. 31The mouth of the godly person gives wise advice, but the tongue that deceives will be cut off. 32The lips of the godly speak helpful words, but the mouth of the wicked speaks perverse words. 1 1 1 The LORD detests the use of dishonest scales,
Textual footnotes
- 10:1 Hebrew son; also in 10:1b.
Life Application Notes 8 notes
10:3Proverbs is filled with verses that contrast the godly (righteous) person with the wicked. These statements are not intended to apply universally to all people in every situation. For example, some good people do go hungry. Rather, they are intended to communicate the general truth that the life of the person who seeks God is better in the long run than the life of the wicked person—a life that leads to ruin. These statements are not ironclad promises but general truths. In addition, a proverb like this assumes a just government that cares for the poor and needy— the kind of government Israel was intended to have (see Deuteronomy 24:17-22). A corrupt government often thwarts the plans of godly men and women.
10:3Proverbs often describes God's care for “the godly.” Being “godly” does not mean being “like God” in the sense of being perfect, Obviously that is impossible for human beings. Godly people are those who love the LORD and are seeking to follow him (Psalm 4:3). As Christians, we have been given the power of the Holy Spirit to help us live godly lives (2 Peter 1:3).
10:4,5Every day has 24 hours filled with opportunities to grow, serve, and be productive. Yet it is so easy to waste time, letting life slip from our grasp. Refuse to be a lazy person, sleeping or frittering away the hours meant for productive work. See time as God's gift, and seize your opportunities to live diligently for him. 24 The fears of the wicked will be fulfilled; the hopes of the godly will be granted.
10:10As in Greek version; Hebrew reads but babbling fools fail flat on their faces.
10:18By hating another person you may become a liar or a fool. Hf you try to conceal your hatred, you end up tying. If you stander the other person and are proven wrong, you are a fool. The only way aut is to admit your hateful feelings to God. Ask him to change your heart, to help you love instead of hate.
10:20Words from a good person are valuable (“sterling silver”). A lot of poor advice is worth less than a little good advice. It is easy to get opinions from people who will tell us only what they think will please us, but such advice is not helpful. Instead, we should look for those who will speak the truth, even when it hurts. Think about the people to whom you go for advice. What do you expect to hear from them?
10:24The wicked person dreads death. Those who do not believe in God usually fear death, and with good reason. By contrast, believers desire eternal life and God's salvation—their hopes will be rewarded. This verse offers a choice: You can have either your fears or your hopes come true. You make that choice by rejecting God and living your own way or by accepting God and following him.
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him or her from trouble. But a wicked person will fall into his or her own traps. Even if good people suffer, they can be sure they will ultimately be rescued from eternal death. 11:9 The mouth can be used either as a weapon or a tool, hurting relationships or building them up. Sadly, it is often easier to destroy than to build, and most people have received more destructive comments than those that build up. Every person you meet today is either a demolition site or a construction opportunity. Your words will make a difference. Will they be weapons for destruction or tools for construction?