Proverbs 10

Chapter 10

The Proverbs of Solomon

1 The proverbs of Solomon:
A wise childt brings joy to a father;
a foolish child brings grief to a mother.2 Tainted wealth has no lasting value,
but right living can save your life.3 The LORD will not let the godly go hungry,
but he refuses to satisfy the craving of the wicked.4 Lazy people are soon poor;
hard workers get rich.5 A wise youth harvests in the summer,
but one who sleeps during harvest is a disgrace.6 The godly are showered with blessings;
the words of the wicked conceal violent intentions.7 We have happy memories of the godly,
but the name of a wicked person rots away.8 The wise are glad to be instructed,
but babbling fools fall flat on their faces.9 People with integrity walk safely,
but those who follow crooked paths will slip and fall.10 People who wink at wrong cause trouble,
but a bold reproof promotes peace.t11 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.

PROVERBS 10

Solomon's Wise Sayings

1 Here are some proverbs
of Solomon:
Children with good sense
make their parents happy,
but foolish children
make them sad.

2 What you gain by doing evil
won't help you at all.
Obeying God is the only way
to be saved from death.

3 If you obey the [Lord],
you won't go hungry;
if you are wicked,
God won't let you have
what you want.

4 Laziness leads to poverty;
hard work makes you rich.

5 At harvest season
it's smart to work hard,
but stupid to sleep.

6 Everyone praises good people,
but evil hides behind
the words of the wicked.

7 Good people are remembered
long after they are gone,
but the wicked
are soon forgotten.

8 If you have good sense,
you will listen and obey;
if all you do is talk foolishly,
you will destroy yourself.

9 You will be safe,
if you always do right,
but you will get caught,
if you are dishonest.

10 Deceit causes trouble,
and foolish talk
will bring you to ruin.t

11 The words of good people
are a source of life,
but evil hides behind
the words of the wicked.

12  t Hatred stirs up trouble;
love overlooks the wrongs
that others do.

13 If you have good sense,
it will show when you speak.
But if you are stupid,
you will be beaten
with a stick.

14 If you have good sense,
you will learn all you can,
but foolish talk
will soon destroy you.

15 Great wealth can be a fortress,
but poverty
is no protection at all.

16 If you live right,
the reward is a good life;
if you are evil,
all you have is sin.

17 Accept correction,
and you will find life;
reject correction,
and you will miss the road.

18 You can hide your hatred
by telling lies,
but you are a fool
to spread lies.

19 You will say the wrong thing
if you talk too much—
so be sensible and watch
what you say.

20 The words of a good person
are like pure silver,
but the thoughts
of an evil person
are almost worthless.

21 Many are helped
by useful instruction,
but fools are killed
by their own stupidity.

22 When the [Lord] blesses you
with riches,
you have nothing to regret.t

23 Fools enjoy doing wrong,
but anyone with good sense
enjoys acting wisely.

24 What evil people dread most
will happen to them,
but good people will get
what they want most.

25 Those crooks will disappear
when a storm strikes,
but God will keep safe
all who obey him.

26 Having a lazy person on the job
is like a mouth full of vinegar
or smoke in your eyes.

27 If you respect the [Lord],
you will live longer;
if you keep doing wrong,
your life will be cut short.

28 If you obey the Lord,
you will be happy,
but there is no future
for the wicked.

29 The [Lord] protects everyone
who lives right,
but he destroys anyone
who does wrong.

30 Good people will stand firm,
but the wicked will disappear
from the land.

31 Honest people speak sensibly,
but deceitful liars
will be silenced.

32 If you obey the Lord,
you will always know
the right thing to say.
But no one will trust you
if you tell lies.