Proverbs 10
1 A wise son makes [his] father glad: but a foolish son is a grief to his mother.
Solomon's proverbs. A wise son makes his father happy, but a stupid son only brings his mother grief.
2 Treasures shall not profit the lawless: but righteousness shall deliver from death.
Wealth gained through evil does you no good; but living right saves you from death.
3 The Lord will not famish a righteous soul: but he will overthrow the life of the ungodly.
The Lord doesn't let good people go hungry, but he stops the wicked from getting what they want.
4 Poverty brings a man low: but the hands of the vigorous make rich. A son who is instructed shall be wise, and shall use the fool for a servant.
Lazy hands make you poor, but hard-working hands make you rich.
5 A wise son is saved from heat: but a lawless son is blighted of the winds in harvest.
A son who gathers crops during the summer is sensible, but the one who sleeps during harvest brings disgrace.
6 The blessing of the Lord is upon the head of the just: but untimely grief shall cover the mouth of the ungodly.
Those who are good are blessed, but what the wicked say hides their violent nature.
7 The memory of the just is praised; but the name of the ungodly [man] is extinguished.
The good are remembered as a blessing, but the reputation of the wicked will rot.
8 A wise man in heart will receive commandments; but he that is unguarded in his lips shall be overthrown in his perverseness.
Those who think wisely pay attention to instruction, but a stupid chatterbox ends up in disaster.
9 He that walks simply, walks confidently; but he that perverts his ways shall be known.
Honest people will live in safety, but those who behave deceitfully will be caught out.
10 He that winks with his eyes deceitfully, procures griefs for men; but he that reproves boldly is a peacemaker.
People who wink slyly cause trouble, but someone who gives a strong rebuke brings peace.
11 [There is] a fountain of life in the hand of a righteous man; but destruction shall cover the mouth of the ungodly.
What good people say is a spring that gives life, but what the wicked say hides their violent nature.
12 Hatred stirs up strife; but affection covers all that do not love strife.
Hatred causes conflict, but love covers all wrongs.
13 He that brings forth wisdom from his lips smites the fool with a rod.
Wisdom comes from people with good judgment, but stupid people are punished with a rod.
14 The wise will hide discretion; but the mouth of the hasty draws near to ruin.
Wise people accumulate knowledge, but the chattering of stupid people is a prelude to disaster.
15 The wealth of rich men is a strong city; but poverty is the ruin of the ungodly.
The wealth of the rich provides them protection, while the poverty of the poor ruins them.
16 The works of the righteous produce life; but the fruits of the ungodly [produce] sins.
If you do right you're rewarded with life, but if you're wicked all you gain is sin.
17 Instruction keeps the right ways of life; but instruction unchastened goes astray.
If you accept instruction, you're on the path to life, but if you reject correction you'll go astray.
18 Righteous lips cover enmity; but they that utter railings are most foolish.
Anyone who hides their hatred is lying, and anyone who spreads slander is stupid.
19 By a multitude of words thou shalt not escape sin; but if thou refrain thy lips thou wilt be prudent.
If you talk too much, you'll say something wrong. Be wise and take care what you say.
20 The tongue of the just is tried silver; but the heart of the ungodly shall fail.
What good people say is like the best silver, but the mind of the wicked isn't worth much.
21 The lips of the righteous know sublime [truths]: but the foolish die in want.
Advice from good people helps feed many others, but stupid people die because they have no sense.
22 The blessing of the Lord is upon the head of the righteous; it enriches [him], and grief of heart shall not be added to [it].
The Lord's blessing makes you rich, and he doesn't add any sadness to accompany it.
23 A fool does mischief in sport; but wisdom brings forth prudence for a man.
Stupid people think it's fun to do wrong, but someone who has wisdom understands what's right.
24 The ungodly is engulphed in destruction; but the desire of the righteous is acceptable.
What the wicked fear will happen to them, while what good people hope for will be granted.
25 When the storm passes by, the ungodly vanishes away; but the righteous turns aside and escapes for ever.
When the storm hits, the wicked are no more, but the good are safe and secure forever.
26 As a sour grape is hurtful to the teeth, and smoke to the eyes, so iniquity hurts those that practise it.
In the same way vinegar irritates the teeth and smoke irritates the eyes, lazy people irritate their employers.
27 The fear of the Lord adds [length] of days: but the years of the ungodly shall be shortened.
Honoring the Lord makes your life longer, but the years the wicked live will be cut short.
28 Joy rests long with the righteous: but the hope of the ungodly shall perish.
Good people look forward to happiness, but the hopes of the wicked come to nothing.
29 The fear of the Lord is a strong hold of the saints: but ruin [comes] to them that work wickedness.
The way of the Lord protects those who do right, but he destroys those who do evil.
30 The righteous shall never fail: but the ungodly shall not dwell in the earth.
The good will never be removed from the land, but the wicked will not remain there.
31 The mouth of the righteous drops wisdom: but the tongue of the unjust shall perish.
What good people say produces wisdom, but liars will have their tongues cut out.
32 The lips of just men drop grace: but the mouth of the ungodly is perverse.
Good people know the right thing to say, but the wicked always lie.
