Proverbs 10

Of wise and foolish children, verse 1. Of unjust and just riches, and poverty, 2,3,15,22. Of idleness and diligence, 4,5,26. Of the blessing and prosperity of the righteous, and of the misery and calamity of the wicked, 6,7,16,24,25,27,28,29,30. Of wisdom and folly in speaking, 8,9,10,11,13,14,19,20,21,31,32. Of uprightness and perverseness in conversation, 9. Of the winking of the eyes, 10. Of hatred and love, 12. Of discipline, 17. Of backbiting, 18. Of the contrary delight of the foolish, and the wise, 23.

1. The Proverbs of Salomon. [The nine foregoing Chapters are as preface, to stir men up to give diligent attention unto the ensuing Proverbs, which for the most part are divers and different, & depend not one upon another. They are as so many rules concerning the faith, good manners, & faults, or defects of men] A wise son maketh the father glad: [understand under the name of Father, the mother also, and under the following name of Mother, the father likewise. Compare below chap.15.20.] but a foolish son is the heaviness of his mother.

2. Treasures of wickedness [That is, which are wrongfully gotten, and likewise wickedly abused] profit nothing; but righteousness [by righteousness in the general, is meant love and fidelity, which a man oweth to his neighbour, according to the second Table, and principally according to the eighth Commandment. Some understand the word righteousness in particular of almisdeeds, and works of mercy and charity unto the poor, as Daniel 4:24.] delivereth from death. [to wit, not because she is able to do it of her self, or hath deserved it by her own worthiness, but because God hath so graciously promised to reward her. So below chapter 11.4.]

3. The LORD suffereth not the soul of the righteous to famish; but he thrusteth away the substance [Oth. Perverseness; that is, riches perversely gotten, or, gotten by perverseness] of the wicked.

4. He that worketh with a deceitful hand, [Hebrew with an hand-palm of deceit; that is, with an unfaithful, slack, and slow hand, and so by fraud and deceit draweth or haleth his neighbours goods to himself. Deceit is used for slothfulness, below chap.19.25. Jer.48.10. as therefore also deceit is opposed unto diligence, as here, and below, chap.12.24,27. For those that are idle, and lazy, and are loath to work, are wont to use deceit, whereby they endeavour to get their living, but poverty is their reward at last, as followeth in the Text] becometh poor: [Oth. A deceitful balance maketh poor] but the hand of the diligent maketh rich. [so below chap.12.24.]

5. He that gathereth in Summer, [To wit, his fruits, or that which he hath growing in the field. Compare abo.chap.6.8.] is a wise son: (but) he that sleepeth securely in the harvest, is a son that maketh ashamed. [to wit, he shames himself, and also his parents; namely, by his faults and misdemeanors. So below chap.12.4. and 14.35. and 17.2. and 19.26. and 26.7. This proverb may fitly by way of comparison be understood of a man, who while he is yet young and lusty, taketh pains, that he may have somewhat to keep him when he is old. See above chap.6.8.]

6. Blessings [To wit, both temporal, and eternal] are upon the head of the righteousness: [this seemeth to look at the old custom of pronouncing any blessing; because this was done by laying the hand upon the head of him that was blessed. See Gen.48.on verse 14. Or it may be also thus understood, that the righteous being blessed themselves, do likewise impart and communicate the blessing unto others, but that the mouth of the wicked is full of meer violence, as followeth in the words of the Text] but violence [understand malice, cruelty, injustice, extortion, and oppression, which they have used] covereth the mouth of the wicked. [that is, bringeth them to death. See Job 40.on verse 8. Or covereth them with shame, as with a garment. Compare Psalms 44:16. and 69.8. or filleth them with plagues and punishments until their very mouth be full.]

7. The memory of the just shall be a blessing: [That is, shall tend to his praise, and honourable report, when they shall make mention of him, either being absent, or also being dead] but the name of the wicked shall rot. [or, purify, and grow stinking, and consequently perish.]

8. He that is wise in heart, receiveth the Commandments: [To wit, which teach a man how to order his life and conversation aright, so as that the he may please God, and edify his neighbour, and so get Gods blessing upon himself] but he that is foolish in lips, [that is, he that speaketh forward and perverse things, whereby with an obstinate mind he casteth away all good instruction, and admonition, boasting that he will abide by his had opinion, and evil intent and purpose, having together with the folly of the lips, also the folly of the heart: for out of the abundance of this do the lips speak, Mat.12.34. compare above chap.2.12. and 4.24. and 6.12.] shall be overthrown. [see of the Hebrew word, Hos.4.on verse 14. So below verse 10.]

9. He that walketh in uprightness, [See above chap.2.on verse 7.] walketh surely: [or, quietly, because he knoweth that his works are good, and that God will suffer no evil event to follow upon it to his destruction] but he that perverteth his ways, [compare Gen.6.on verse 12.] shall be known. [to wit, by public punishments, which God shall send upon him in the sight of all men, and that by the hand or means of the Magistrate, or otherwise.]

10. He that winketh with the eye [That is, secretly plotteth and contriveth sin, and seeketh to carry it on neatly and smoothly. Compare above chap.6.13.] procureth sorrow; and one foolish in lips [see above on verse 8.] shall be overthrown. [see above, the same verse.]

11. The mouth of the righteous is a well-spring of life [To wit, from whence words do issue and proceed, which do not onely instruct, admonish and strengthen others unto life eternal, but also are serviceable unto the righteous that doth so for that very end purpose, namely, to bring him unto life eternal. Compare bel.chap.13.14. and 14.27. and 16.22.] but violence covereth the mouth of the wicked. [See above on ver.6.]

12. Hatred stirreth up strifes: but love [Namely, the love of him, that hath suffered wrong at his neighbours hands, or seeth him to be fallen into any infirmity] covereth all transgressions. [to wit, by bearing, or in a friendly way reproving them, and not by divulging or spreading them abroad. Understand this of particular and private sins, and such as may be concealed with a good conscience. Again it must be understood not of our own transgressions committed against God, but of other mens sins and transgressions committed against us. So 1 Cor.13.4. 1 Pet.4.8.]

13. In the lips of him that hath understanding, wisdom is found: [And therefore he getteth also honour and reward; as on the contrary, the foolish one getteth stripes, because folly is found in his lips, as followeth in the Text] but the rod [that is, the punishment which happeneth by strips and blows. So below ch.23.13. and 26.3. and 29.15.] (is) upon the back of him that lacketh understanding. [Hebr. That wanteth a heart. See above chapter 6.on verse 32. The word heart is here taken for the mind, and understanding of man. See Job 9.on verse 4. Compare below chapter 20.30.]

14. Wise men lay up knowledge. [Heb. Hide, &c. That is, as men do use to lay up their treasure, and to lock up their provision, as meat and drink, &c. To bring them forth at times convenient: so wise men do gather and lay up a stock of knowledge, to produce and utter the same when it shall be seasonable and profitable unto others, or else to make use of it their own selves] but the mouth of the foolish is near unto disturbance. [or, astonishment, terror: that is, mischief, trouble, grievance, at which a man is wont to be affrighted and astonished, occasioned by foolish, impudent, unadvised, and unseasonable words and speechs.]

15. The rich mans wealth is a city of his strength: the poverty of the mean ones [Hebr. Of the thin ones; that is, of those that have very little] is their disturbance. [the meaning is, he that is money-less, is also heartless, and is afraid that he shall perish; and that he that is wealth, is for the most part also bare of courage: as on the contrary, those that have great riches and store of wealth, do commonly rely upon them, and think that they are very safe and secure against all harm and danger.]

16. The labour of the righteous [To wit, whereby he doth any thing that is good and honest, for to get his living by it. Or, understand whatsoever he intendeth, speaketh, or doth] is unto life: [that is, tendeth to his prosperity, and to his good, Rom.8.28.] the revenue of the wicked [meaning his means, or all that proceedeth from him, and from his actions] is unto sin. [that is, tendeth to sin, or leadeth him to the doing of evil, and consequently to his eternal destruction; for the wages of sin is death. Rom.6.23.]

17. The path unto life [To wit, the path leading unto life] is his that keepeth discipline: [or thus: he that keepeth discipline, is a path of life; or is (in) the path of life] but he that forsaketh reproof, causeth to erre, [to wit, himself, and others, that thus get both together into destruction.]

18. He that hideth hatred, is (a man) of false lips, and he that uttereth an ill report, the same is a fool. [The meaning is, that both of them do ill, as well those that privily hate their neighbour, though they speak not evil of him, as those that openly backbite, and slander him, and wrong him in his own good name. Oth. He that hideth hatred (with) false lips, and he that uttereth an evil report, the same is a fool. Oth. False lips cover hatred, etc.]

19. In the multitude of words [To wit, which are spoken idlely, indiscreetly, proceeding from a vain heart, and from evil and corrupt affections] (there) wanteth not transgression: but he that refraineth his lips is wise (or prudent.)

20. The tongue of the righteous is choice silver: [That is, is like unto choice silver, to wit, in acceptableness value, and profit] the heart of the wicked is little (worth). [or, surely mean; and therefore his tongue also, which uttereth all that the heart hath in it. Hebr. Is as little. The letter Caph. Signifying as is by the Hebrews sometimes taken for certainly, truly, surely so. See Genesis 27.on verse 12. And Nehem.7.on verse 2.]

21. The lips of the righteous feed many: [To wit, according to the soul, by wholesome instruction, exhortation, reproof, comfort, whereby also the righteous man benefitteth himself unto life everlasting] but fool, die [that is, perish both in soul and body] for want of understanding. [Hebr. For want of heart: that is, for want of understanding; to wit, whereby they are not onely disable from feeding others with good and wholesome doctrine, but also disable from sitting and composing themselves, to know God, to fear and serve him. Of the word heart, taken for understanding, see Job 9.on verse 4.]

22. The blessing [That is, mercy, kindness, bounty. See Gen.12.on verse 2.] of the LORD, it maketh rich: and he [to wit, the Lord] addeth no sorrow [to wit, as there is in the heart and house of covetous miserys, that are never contented, and with their plenty and store do neither good to themselves, nor to others] with it. [to wit, with the blessing. Compare herewith Psal.127.2. Oth. Thus: and add not sorrow (that is, sorrowful labour0 with it.]

23. It is as sport for a fool, to do mischief: [Compare chap.14.9.] but for a man of understanding, (to practise) wisdom. [to wit, whereby he fearing God, taketh heed of commiting villainy, and endeaveoureth to speak or promise something that savoureth of wisdom to the honour of God, which is his pleasure and delight.]

24. The fear of the wicked, [That is, the evil, or harm that he feareth. See above chapter 1.on verse 26.] it shall come upon him: but the desire of the righteous [That is, that which righteous men wish and desire of God. Desire is taken for the good that is desired, Psalms 21:3. and 78.29. below chapter 12.19.] shall (God) grant.

25. As a whirlwind passeth away, so is the wicked no (more:) [Or, as soon as the whirlwind is passed away, so is the wicked no more. The meaning is, that the wicked perish very suddenly, and fearfully, as if they were violently snatch away from the world by a most swift and mighty whirlwind. See of the comparison of a tempest, Job 9.on verse 17. And above chapter 1. Verse 27.] but the righteous is an everlasting foundation. [that is, abideth immoveable, to wit, in his faith, love hope, and consequently in a good estate unto the end. Compare Psalms 125:1. Mat.7.24,25.]

26. As vinegar is to the teeth, and as smoak (is) to the eyes: so is the sluggard to them that send him. [The meaning is, that the sluggard is a great grief to them that set him on work, and especially to those that send him forth upon a speedy errand, and would have him return quickly back again.]

27. The fear of the LORD encreaseth days: [To wit, the days of life, namely, of those that do sincerely fear the Lord. Understand this in respect of those that being of a weak and tender body, and feeble by reason sickness, sickness, and cast down by reason of adversity; yet by the comfort and consolation of God live longer, then the strength of their nature would be able to afford , if God had not intended to preserve and keep them longer alive. Compare above chapter 9.11. Some understand this in particular, in respect of the outward mercies, which God promised to the Israelites, as long as they should dwell in the land of Canaan] but the years of the wicked are shortened. [for according to the strength and quality of their nature they might have lived longer, but they are by Gods just judgement violently taken away from hence. Understand this proverb in the general of all wicked men, but in particular of some, with whom it pleaseth God to deal thus according to his incomprehensible wisdom.]

28. The hope of the righteous is gladness: [That is, bringeth joy and gladness to the righteous, because it is sure and well grounded, resting and relying upon the promises of God, Rom.5.5.] but the expectation of the wicked shall perish. [That is, not be fulfilled, because it regardeth nothing but idle fancies; and therefore they shall even at last come to sorrow. Compare Job 8:13,14. And 11.20. Psalms 112:10.]

29. The way of the LORD [See Genesis 18.on ver 19.] is strength for the upright; [to wit, against all that world. Satan; and their own flesh. Compare below ch.13.6.] but disturbance (shall be) for the workers of iniquity. [to wit, because they know, that there are many things in it, that gain-say their present life, and threaten them with future death.]

30. The righteous shall never be removed, but the wicked shall not inhabit the earth. [To wit, with peace and quietness of mine, and not continually.]

31. The mouth of the righteous bringeth forth wisdom abundantly: [See above verse 11. And the Annotations] but the tongue of frowardnesses [see above chap.8.on verse 13.] shall be destroyed.

32. The lips of the righteous know what is acceptable: [The Hebrew word is not onely taken the will, and good pleasure it self, as Psalms 38:8. and 51.20. but also for that which a man willeth well, and that which is acceptable and well-pleasing, Psalms 40:9. and 145.19. below chapter 11.1.] but the mouth of the wicked (speaketh) meer forwardness. [Hebr. Frowardnesses.]