10:1  THE PROVERBS of Solomon: A wise son makes a glad father, but a foolish {and} self-confident son is the grief of his mother.

10:2  Treasures of wickedness profit nothing, but righteousness (moral and spiritual rectitude in every area and relation) delivers from death.

10:3  The Lord will not allow the [uncompromisingly] righteous to famish, but He thwarts the desire of the wicked.

10:4  He becomes poor who works with a slack {and} idle hand, but the hand of the diligent makes rich.

10:5  He who gathers in summer is a wise son, but he who sleeps in harvest is a son who causes shame.

10:6  Blessings are upon the head of the [uncompromisingly] righteous (the upright, in right standing with God) but the mouth of the wicked conceals violence.

10:7  The memory of the [uncompromisingly] righteous is a blessing, but the name of the wicked shall rot.

10:8  The wise in heart will accept {and} obey commandments, but the foolish of lips will fall headlong.

10:9  He who walks uprightly walks securely, but he who takes a crooked way shall be found out {and} punished.

10:10  He who winks with the eye [craftily and with malice] causes sorrow; the foolish of lips will fall headlong {but} {he who boldly reproves makes peace}.

10:11  The mouth of the [uncompromisingly] righteous man is a well of life, but the mouth of the wicked conceals violence.

10:12  Hatred stirs up contentions, but love covers all transgressions.

10:13  On the lips of him who has discernment skillful {and} godly Wisdom is found, but discipline {and} the rod are for the back of him who is without sense {and} understanding.

10:14  Wise men store up knowledge [in mind and heart], but the mouth of the foolish is a present destruction.

10:15  The rich man's wealth is his strong city; the poverty of the poor is their ruin.

10:16  The earnings of the righteous (the upright, in right standing with God) lead to life, but the profit of the wicked leads to further sin.

10:17  He who heeds instruction {and} correction is [not only himself] in the way of life [but also] is a way of life for others. And he who neglects {or} refuses reproof [not only himself] goes astray [but also] causes to err {and} is a path toward ruin for others.

10:18  He who hides hatred is of lying lips, and he who utters slander is a [self-confident] fool.

10:19  In a multitude of words transgression is not lacking, but he who restrains his lips is prudent.

10:20  The tongues of those who are upright {and} in right standing with God are as choice silver; the minds of those who are wicked {and} out of harmony with God are of little value.

10:21  The lips of the [uncompromisingly] righteous feed {and} guide many, but fools die for want of understanding {and} heart.

10:22  The blessing of the Lord--it makes [truly] rich, and He adds no sorrow with it [neither does toiling increase it].

10:23  It is as sport to a [self-confident] fool to do wickedness, but to have skillful {and} godly Wisdom is pleasure {and} relaxation to a man of understanding.

10:24  The thing a wicked man fears shall come upon him, but the desire of the [uncompromisingly] righteous shall be granted.

10:25  When the whirlwind passes, the wicked are no more, but the [uncompromisingly] righteous have an everlasting foundation.

10:26  As vinegar to the teeth and as smoke to the eyes, so is the sluggard to those who employ {and} send him.

10:27  The reverent {and} worshipful fear of the Lord prolongs one's days, but the years of the wicked shall be made short.

10:28  The hope of the [uncompromisingly] righteous (the upright, in right standing with God) is gladness, but the expectation of the wicked (those who are out of harmony with God) comes to nothing.

10:29  The way of the Lord is strength {and} a stronghold to the upright, but it is destruction to the workers of iniquity.

10:30  The [consistently] righteous shall never be removed, but the wicked shall not inhabit the earth [eventually].

10:31  The mouths of the righteous (those harmonious with God) bring forth skillful {and} godly Wisdom, but the perverse tongue shall be cut down [like a barren and rotten tree].

10:32  The lips of the [uncompromisingly] righteous know [and therefore utter] what is acceptable, but the mouth of the wicked knows [and therefore speaks only] what is obstinately willful {and} contrary.