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Proverbs Chapter Study

The Way of the Righteous vs The Way of the Wicked

Proverbs 10 (KJV)

Proverbs 10 begins a new section of Proverbs focused on short, direct sayings that contrast the righteous and the wicked. Each verse highlights practical truths about speech, work, character, diligence, integrity, and consequences. This chapter shows that life is shaped by consistent choices, and those choices lead either toward life and stability or toward destruction and loss.

What You’ll Learn

• The clear contrast between righteousness and wickedness
• How daily choices shape long-term outcomes
• The power of words for life or destruction
• Why diligence leads to provision and laziness to lack
• How integrity protects while dishonesty destroys
• The lasting impact of a righteous life

Righteousness leads to life, stability, and blessing, while wickedness leads to loss and destruction.

Bible Translation Note Scripture Verse-by-Verse Study Chapter Synopsis Prayer Personal Application Weekly Actions Chapter Summary

Bible Translation Note: All Scripture on this page is quoted from the King James Version (KJV) and presented in full without alteration.

Proverbs 10:1 The proverbs of Solomon. A wise son maketh a glad father: but a foolish son is the heaviness of his mother.

Proverbs 10:2 Treasures of wickedness profit nothing: but righteousness delivereth from death.

Proverbs 10:3 The LORD will not suffer the soul of the righteous to famish: but he casteth away the substance of the wicked.

Proverbs 10:4 He becometh poor that dealeth with a slack hand: but the hand of the diligent maketh rich.

Proverbs 10:5 He that gathereth in summer is a wise son: but he that sleepeth in harvest is a son that causeth shame.

Proverbs 10:6 Blessings are upon the head of the just: but violence covereth the mouth of the wicked.

Proverbs 10:7 The memory of the just is blessed: but the name of the wicked shall rot.

Proverbs 10:8 The wise in heart will receive commandments: but a prating fool shall fall.

Proverbs 10:9 He that walketh uprightly walketh surely: but he that perverteth his ways shall be known.

Proverbs 10:10 He that winketh with the eye causeth sorrow: but a prating fool shall fall.

Proverbs 10:11 The mouth of a righteous man is a well of life: but violence covereth the mouth of the wicked.

Proverbs 10:12 Hatred stirreth up strifes: but love covereth all sins.

Proverbs 10:13 In the lips of him that hath understanding wisdom is found: but a rod is for the back of him that is void of understanding.

Proverbs 10:14 Wise men lay up knowledge: but the mouth of the foolish is near destruction.

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

Proverbs 10:16 The labour of the righteous tendeth to life: the fruit of the wicked to sin.

Proverbs 10:17 He is in the way of life that keepeth instruction: but he that refuseth reproof erreth.

Proverbs 10:18 He that hideth hatred with lying lips, and he that uttereth a slander, is a fool.

Proverbs 10:19 In the multitude of words there wanteth not sin: but he that refraineth his lips is wise.

Proverbs 10:20 The tongue of the just is as choice silver: the heart of the wicked is little worth.

Proverbs 10:21 The lips of the righteous feed many: but fools die for want of wisdom.

Proverbs 10:22 The blessing of the LORD, it maketh rich, and he addeth no sorrow with it.

Proverbs 10:23 It is as sport to a fool to do mischief: but a man of understanding hath wisdom.

Proverbs 10:24 The fear of the wicked, it shall come upon him: but the desire of the righteous shall be granted.

Proverbs 10:25 As the whirlwind passeth, so is the wicked no more: but the righteous is an everlasting foundation.

Proverbs 10:26 As vinegar to the teeth, and as smoke to the eyes, so is the sluggard to them that send him.

Proverbs 10:27 The fear of the LORD prolongeth days: but the years of the wicked shall be shortened.

Proverbs 10:28 The hope of the righteous shall be gladness: but the expectation of the wicked shall perish.

Proverbs 10:29 The way of the LORD is strength to the upright: but destruction shall be to the workers of iniquity.

Proverbs 10:30 The righteous shall never be removed: but the wicked shall not inhabit the earth.

Proverbs 10:31 The mouth of the just bringeth forth wisdom: but the froward tongue shall be cut out.

Proverbs 10:32 The lips of the righteous know what is acceptable: but the mouth of the wicked speaketh frowardness.

Proverbs 10:1

The proverbs of Solomon. A wise son maketh a glad father: but a foolish son is the heaviness of his mother.

Study: This verse shows that wisdom and foolishness affect more than the individual. A wise life brings joy to a family, while foolishness brings grief. Spiritually, wisdom honors God and blesses others. Practically, choices made in private often create consequences felt by those closest to us.

Proverbs 10:2

Treasures of wickedness profit nothing: but righteousness delivereth from death.

Study: Wealth gained through wickedness has no lasting value. It may appear profitable for a time, but it cannot save or sustain the soul. Spiritually, righteousness matters more than dishonest gain. Practically, how something is gained matters as much as what is gained.

Proverbs 10:3

The LORD will not suffer the soul of the righteous to famish: but he casteth away the substance of the wicked.

Study: The Lord cares for the righteous and does not abandon them to ultimate lack. The wicked may gather resources, but God can remove what they depend on. Spiritually, security is found in the Lord, not possessions. Practically, trust God’s provision more than temporary gain.

Proverbs 10:4

He becometh poor that dealeth with a slack hand: but the hand of the diligent maketh rich.

Study: Laziness leads toward lack, while diligence produces increase. This is a practical wisdom principle about work and responsibility. Spiritually, diligence honors stewardship. Practically, consistent effort over time creates stability and opportunity.

Proverbs 10:5

He that gathereth in summer is a wise son: but he that sleepeth in harvest is a son that causeth shame.

Study: Wisdom recognizes seasons and acts when opportunity is present. Sleeping during harvest means neglecting the moment when work matters most. Spiritually, wisdom understands timing. Practically, missed opportunities often come from laziness, delay, or lack of discipline.

Proverbs 10:6

Blessings are upon the head of the just: but violence covereth the mouth of the wicked.

Study: The just are marked by blessing, while the wicked are marked by violence and corruption. This contrast shows that character produces a visible result. Spiritually, righteousness attracts God’s favor. Practically, the direction of a life eventually becomes visible through conduct and speech.

Proverbs 10:7

The memory of the just is blessed: but the name of the wicked shall rot.

Study: A righteous life leaves a blessed memory, while wickedness leaves a decaying reputation. Spiritually, legacy matters. Practically, people may forget achievements, but they remember character. A life built on righteousness outlasts temporary success.

Proverbs 10:8

The wise in heart will receive commandments: but a prating fool shall fall.

Study: Wise people receive instruction, while fools talk recklessly and collapse under their own foolishness. Spiritually, humility receives God’s commands. Practically, being teachable protects a person from avoidable failure.

Proverbs 10:9

He that walketh uprightly walketh surely: but he that perverteth his ways shall be known.

Study: Integrity brings security because there is nothing hidden to maintain or fear. Crooked ways are eventually exposed. Spiritually, uprightness reflects trust in God’s way. Practically, honesty is safer than deception because truth does not need a cover story.

Proverbs 10:10

He that winketh with the eye causeth sorrow: but a prating fool shall fall.

Study: The wink of the eye suggests hidden motives, deception, or dishonest signaling. Such behavior causes sorrow. The loud fool also falls through careless speech. Practically, both secret manipulation and reckless talking lead to damage.

Proverbs 10:11

The mouth of a righteous man is a well of life: but violence covereth the mouth of the wicked.

Study: Righteous speech brings life, refreshment, and help to others. Wicked speech is covered with violence, harm, and corruption. Spiritually, words reveal the heart. Practically, our speech should become a source of life rather than injury.

Proverbs 10:12

Hatred stirreth up strifes: but love covereth all sins.

Study: Hatred fuels conflict and keeps offenses alive. Love seeks peace, forgiveness, and restoration. Spiritually, love reflects the heart of God. Practically, choosing love does not ignore sin, but it refuses to keep stirring up strife unnecessarily.

Proverbs 10:13

In the lips of him that hath understanding wisdom is found: but a rod is for the back of him that is void of understanding.

Study: A person with understanding speaks wisdom, while the person lacking understanding invites correction. Spiritually, wisdom shapes speech. Practically, learning and humility can prevent painful consequences that come from foolish decisions.

Proverbs 10:14

Wise men lay up knowledge: but the mouth of the foolish is near destruction.

Study: Wise people store up knowledge and use it carefully. Fools speak carelessly and move close to destruction. Spiritually, wisdom values learning before speaking. Practically, it is better to build understanding quietly than to expose foolishness loudly.

Proverbs 10:15

The rich man's wealth is his strong city: the destruction of the poor is their poverty.

Study: Wealth can provide protection and options, while poverty can create vulnerability and hardship. This is a practical observation, not a statement that wealth equals righteousness. Spiritually, resources require stewardship. Practically, wisdom includes working, saving, and managing provision responsibly.

Proverbs 10:16

The labour of the righteous tendeth to life: the fruit of the wicked to sin.

Study: Righteous work produces life-giving results, while wicked gain produces sin. The issue is not only effort but direction and motive. Spiritually, God cares about the fruit of our labor. Practically, productive work should be joined with righteous purpose.

Proverbs 10:17

He is in the way of life that keepeth instruction: but he that refuseth reproof erreth.

Study: Receiving instruction keeps a person on the path of life. Refusing correction leads to error. Spiritually, teachability is essential to growth. Practically, correction should be received as protection, not merely criticism.

Proverbs 10:18

He that hideth hatred with lying lips, and he that uttereth a slander, is a fool.

Study: This verse condemns both hidden hatred and open slander. A person may hide bitterness with false words or spread harm through accusation. Spiritually, God sees both the concealed heart and the spoken word. Practically, honesty, forgiveness, and restraint are necessary for righteous relationships.

Proverbs 10:19

In the multitude of words there wanteth not sin: but he that refraineth his lips is wise.

Study: The more a person talks without restraint, the more likely sin enters the conversation. Wisdom knows when to stop speaking. Spiritually, disciplined speech reflects self-control. Practically, fewer words often prevent unnecessary conflict, exaggeration, gossip, and regret.

Proverbs 10:20

The tongue of the just is as choice silver: the heart of the wicked is little worth.

Study: The words of the just are valuable because they come from a heart shaped by righteousness. The wicked heart lacks true worth because it produces corruption. Spiritually, speech reveals inner character. Practically, valuable words come from a heart being formed by God’s wisdom.

Proverbs 10:21

The lips of the righteous feed many: but fools die for want of wisdom.

Study: Righteous speech nourishes, strengthens, and guides others. Fools lack wisdom and suffer because of it. Spiritually, wise words can become a means of blessing. Practically, our words should feed others with truth instead of leaving them empty or harmed.

Proverbs 10:22

The blessing of the LORD, it maketh rich, and he addeth no sorrow with it.

Study: The Lord’s blessing brings true gain without the sorrow that comes from sinful striving or dishonest gain. Spiritually, God’s blessing is clean, good, and life-giving. Practically, it is better to receive what God gives in righteousness than to gain more through compromise.

Proverbs 10:23

It is as sport to a fool to do mischief: but a man of understanding hath wisdom.

Study: A fool treats wrongdoing like entertainment, while a person of understanding values wisdom. Spiritually, what a person enjoys reveals the heart. Practically, if mischief, conflict, or sin feels amusing, the heart needs correction.

Proverbs 10:24

The fear of the wicked, it shall come upon him: but the desire of the righteous shall be granted.

Study: The wicked fear consequences, and what they fear eventually overtakes them. The righteous desire what aligns with God’s way, and God grants what is good according to His wisdom. Spiritually, fear and desire reveal direction. Practically, what we pursue shapes what we eventually face.

Proverbs 10:25

As the whirlwind passeth, so is the wicked no more: but the righteous is an everlasting foundation.

Study: The wicked are temporary, like a storm that passes. The righteous stand on an enduring foundation. Spiritually, righteousness has permanence because it is rooted in God. Practically, build your life on what lasts, not what looks powerful for a moment.

Proverbs 10:26

As vinegar to the teeth, and as smoke to the eyes, so is the sluggard to them that send him.

Study: A lazy person frustrates those who depend on him. The comparison to vinegar and smoke shows irritation and discomfort. Spiritually, faithfulness matters in responsibility. Practically, reliability is part of wisdom, and laziness damages trust.

Proverbs 10:27

The fear of the LORD prolongeth days: but the years of the wicked shall be shortened.

Study: Reverence for the Lord leads toward life, while wickedness leads toward loss. This proverb reflects the general pattern that God’s ways protect life. Spiritually, the fear of the Lord is life-giving. Practically, honoring God shapes decisions that preserve and strengthen life.

Proverbs 10:28

The hope of the righteous shall be gladness: but the expectation of the wicked shall perish.

Study: The righteous have hope that leads to gladness, while the expectations of the wicked collapse. Spiritually, hope rooted in God endures. Practically, the object of hope matters. Hope built on sin, pride, or selfish gain eventually fails.

Proverbs 10:29

The way of the LORD is strength to the upright: but destruction shall be to the workers of iniquity.

Study: God’s way strengthens the upright but brings destruction to those committed to evil. The same truth that comforts the righteous exposes the wicked. Spiritually, God’s way is safety for those who walk uprightly. Practically, obedience strengthens; sin destroys.

Proverbs 10:30

The righteous shall never be removed: but the wicked shall not inhabit the earth.

Study: The righteous are secure in God’s order, while the wicked have no lasting place. Spiritually, righteousness is connected to permanence. Practically, a life rooted in God stands with more stability than a life built on rebellion.

Proverbs 10:31

The mouth of the just bringeth forth wisdom: but the froward tongue shall be cut out.

Study: The just produce wisdom through their words, but the corrupt tongue faces judgment. Spiritually, speech is not neutral. Practically, words should be guided by righteousness, truth, and humility because corrupt speech brings consequences.

Proverbs 10:32

The lips of the righteous know what is acceptable: but the mouth of the wicked speaketh frowardness.

Study: The righteous learn to speak what is fitting, wise, and acceptable. The wicked speak what is crooked and corrupt. Spiritually, righteous speech is shaped by God’s wisdom. Practically, mature believers should learn not only what to say, but when and how to say it.

Proverbs 10 highlights the contrast between righteousness and wickedness through everyday actions, words, work, character, and consequences. It emphasizes that wisdom, diligence, integrity, disciplined speech, and reverence for the Lord lead to life, stability, blessing, and lasting legacy. In contrast, foolishness, laziness, dishonesty, hatred, slander, and wickedness lead to shame, destruction, instability, and loss. This chapter teaches that character is revealed through daily behavior and that outcomes follow choices. The righteous are strengthened by the way of the Lord, while the wicked are ultimately undone by their own path.

Lord, help me walk in wisdom and righteousness. Guide my words, my work, my decisions, and my relationships. Give me a teachable heart that receives instruction and correction. Keep me from laziness, dishonesty, hatred, and careless speech. Teach me to value Your blessing over wicked gain and to build my life on what lasts. Let my life reflect Your wisdom, integrity, and truth. Amen.

• Read Proverbs 10 slowly at least three times this week
• Memorize Proverbs 10:22 and reflect on the blessing of the Lord
• Track your words for one day and identify where restraint is needed
• Choose one area of laziness or delay and take action on it
• Practice one intentional word of encouragement each day
• Ask God to reveal any dishonest gain, hidden hatred, or careless speech
• Make one decision this week that prioritizes righteousness over convenience

Proverbs 10 contrasts the lives of the righteous and the wicked through short, direct statements that cover speech, work, character, family, money, correction, hope, and consequences. The chapter teaches that wisdom brings joy, diligence leads to provision, integrity brings security, and righteous speech becomes a source of life to others. It also warns that wicked gain is worthless, laziness creates lack, hatred stirs conflict, too many careless words lead to sin, and the path of the wicked is unstable and temporary. At the center of the chapter is the truth that God’s blessing is better than sorrowful gain and that the way of the Lord strengthens the upright. Proverbs 10 calls believers to examine daily habits, speech patterns, work ethic, motives, and relationships. The righteous life is not only about belief but about consistent choices that reflect wisdom, integrity, and reverence for God. The wicked may appear successful for a moment, but their expectations perish, while the righteous stand on an everlasting foundation.

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