FocusWise and foolish conduct
Connection to the wholeThe shorter sayings teach through contrasts, comparisons, and observations across the everyday life of the community.
interpretation Proverbs 10:24
KJVThe fear of the wicked, it shall come upon him: but the desire of the righteous shall be granted.
Read it in context
Solomon’s Proverbs: The Wise Son
Start reading at Proverbs 10:1 (Proverbs 10:1 to Proverbs 10:32).
An editorial reading unit, not a claim that the surrounding context stops here. Book background below applies to the shared passage; individual verses may need more specific explanation.
The shorter sayings teach through contrasts, comparisons, and observations across the everyday life of the community.
- 10:1 The proverbs of Solomon. A wise son maketh a glad father: but a foolish son is the heaviness of his mother.
- 10:2 Treasures of wickedness profit nothing: but righteousness delivereth from death.
- 10:3 The LORD will not suffer the soul of the righteous to famish: but he casteth away the substance of the wicked.
- 10:4 He becometh poor that dealeth with a slack hand: but the hand of the diligent maketh rich.
- 10:5 He that gathereth in summer is a wise son: but he that sleepeth in harvest is a son that causeth shame.
- 10:6 Blessings are upon the head of the just: but violence covereth the mouth of the wicked.
- 10:7 The memory of the just is blessed: but the name of the wicked shall rot.
- 10:8 The wise in heart will receive commandments: but a prating fool shall fall.
- 10:9 He that walketh uprightly walketh surely: but he that perverteth his ways shall be known.
- 10:10 He that winketh with the eye causeth sorrow: but a prating fool shall fall.
- 10:11 The mouth of a righteous man is a well of life: but violence covereth the mouth of the wicked.
- 10:12 Hatred stirreth up strifes: but love covereth all sins.
- 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.
- 10:14 Wise men lay up knowledge: but the mouth of the foolish is near destruction.
- 10:15 The rich man's wealth is his strong city: the destruction of the poor is their poverty.
- 10:16 The labour of the righteous tendeth to life: the fruit of the wicked to sin.
- 10:17 He is in the way of life that keepeth instruction: but he that refuseth reproof erreth.
- 10:18 He that hideth hatred with lying lips, and he that uttereth a slander, is a fool.
- 10:19 In the multitude of words there wanteth not sin: but he that refraineth his lips is wise.
- 10:20 The tongue of the just is as choice silver: the heart of the wicked is little worth.
- 10:21 The lips of the righteous feed many: but fools die for want of wisdom.
- 10:22 The blessing of the LORD, it maketh rich, and he addeth no sorrow with it.
- 10:23 It is as sport to a fool to do mischief: but a man of understanding hath wisdom.
- 10:24 The fear of the wicked, it shall come upon him: but the desire of the righteous shall be granted.
- 10:25 As the whirlwind passeth, so is the wicked no more: but the righteous is an everlasting foundation.
- 10:26 As vinegar to the teeth, and as smoke to the eyes, so is the sluggard to them that send him.
- 10:27 The fear of the LORD prolongeth days: but the years of the wicked shall be shortened.
- 10:28 The hope of the righteous shall be gladness: but the expectation of the wicked shall perish.
- 10:29 The way of the LORD is strength to the upright: but destruction shall be to the workers of iniquity.
- 10:30 The righteous shall never be removed: but the wicked shall not inhabit the earth.
- 10:31 The mouth of the just bringeth forth wisdom: but the froward tongue shall be cut out.
- 10:32 The lips of the righteous know what is acceptable: but the mouth of the wicked speaketh frowardness.
Who
- Who wrote the book? Solomon is the principal named contributor, with additional sayings of the wise, Agur, and King Lemuel's mother's instruction. Hezekiah's men are credited with copying a collection of Solomon's proverbs. Biblical references: Proverbs 1:1; Proverbs 22:17; Proverbs 25:1; Proverbs 30:1; Proverbs 31:1. stated in the text
- Who was present or being addressed in this passage? In the surrounding chapter context (Proverbs 10:1–21:31): The sayings instruct learners in Israel's wisdom tradition. The righteous, wicked, wise, foolish, rulers, and household members are examples or subjects of the sayings, not necessarily the immediate people being addressed. stated in the text
- Who was the book written to? Learners seeking wisdom, especially the young and inexperienced, as well as wise readers seeking further understanding. The repeated son-address presents parental or teacherly instruction. Biblical references: Proverbs 1:4; Proverbs 1:5; Proverbs 1:8. stated in the text
What
- What is the topic of this reading unit? Solomon’s Proverbs: The Wise Son. Read Proverbs 10:1 through Proverbs 10:32 as a connected unit. interpretation
- How does it contribute to the book? The shorter sayings teach through contrasts, comparisons, and observations across the everyday life of the community. interpretation
When
- When are the events or message set? The book identifies more than one collection, including proverbs copied by Hezekiah's men. It does not give a date for the origin of every individual saying. book background
Where
- What is the book’s geographic setting? The instruction draws on household, workplace, city gate, court, and other everyday settings. Many sayings describe a general situation rather than one dated incident. book background
- Where does the context start? This passage sits in Solomon’s Proverbs: The Wise Son (Proverbs 10:1 to Proverbs 10:32). Start reading at Proverbs 10:1. An editorial reading unit, not a claim that the surrounding context stops here. Book background below applies to the shared passage; individual verses may need more specific explanation.
How
- How does this book connect with Jesus Christ? The New Testament identifies Christ with the wisdom of God. Relating wisdom instruction to Him is a canonical connection; the personification of wisdom should not automatically be treated as a literal description of Christ's origin. See Proverbs 25:1, 1 Corinthians 1:24, 1 Corinthians 1:30. interpretation
- How should this book guide our response? Practice truthful speech, teachability, justice, diligence, and self-control. Read proverbial generalizations with their genre in view rather than as guarantees that ignore circumstance or the book's other sayings. interpretation
Cited: Proverbs 10:1, Proverbs 10:32, Proverbs 25:1, 1 Corinthians 1:24, 1 Corinthians 1:30
Who wrote it, and how we know
Solomon, with Agur and Lemuel
Named in Scripture
What Scripture saysThe book names Solomon, and also Agur and King Lemuel, and notes that Hezekiah's men copied out further proverbs.
Proverbs 1:1Proverbs 25:1Proverbs 30:1Proverbs 31:1
Early traditionTradition credits Solomon as the principal author.
What is debatedThe book itself describes later collecting, so it reached its final form after Solomon.
Related passages
- fear Job 3:25 Job 15:21 Heb 10:27
- the desire Ps 21:2 Ps 37:4 Ps 145:19 Matt 5:6 John 14:18 John 16:24 1 John 5:14-15
Cross references from CrossReferences-org (CC BY 4.0).
Macro-Structure
See how this passage fits the chapter and the book.
Macro-Structure of Proverbs 10
Proverbs identifies several collections and contributors. Its sayings teach wisdom in conduct; a general observation is not automatically an unconditional promise for every individual circumstance. Read contrasts and parallel lines together. Local headings and stanza divisions are editorial reading aids adapted from public-domain BSB headings; verse boundaries and Scripture links use the KJV. Connections describe the surrounding book movement.
Proverbs 1:1 Proverbs 10:1 Proverbs 25:1 Proverbs 30:1 Proverbs 31:1
Suggested literary divisions. Headings summarize the passage; they are not part of the biblical text.
Macro-Structure of Proverbs
Proverbs identifies several collections and contributors. Its sayings teach wisdom in conduct; a general observation is not automatically an unconditional promise for every individual circumstance. Read contrasts and parallel lines together.
Proverbs 1:1 Proverbs 10:1 Proverbs 25:1 Proverbs 30:1 Proverbs 31:1
Instruction and wisdom's call
Proverbs 1:1–9:18FocusThe fear of the LORD and the choice of a path
Connection to the wholeExtended appeals introduce the moral and relational setting in which the shorter sayings should be read.
interpretation FocusWise and foolish conduct
Connection to the wholeThe shorter sayings teach through contrasts, comparisons, and observations across the everyday life of the community.
interpretation Words of the wise
Proverbs 22:17–24:34FocusInstruction, justice, and disciplined conduct
Connection to the wholeThis collection continues the instruction through longer admonitions and observations, including further sayings of the wise.
interpretation Further proverbs of Solomon
Proverbs 25:1–29:27FocusCollected wisdom for life and rule
Connection to the wholeThe sayings identified with Hezekiah's copying activity extend the collection's instruction concerning conduct and leadership.
interpretation The words of Agur
Proverbs 30:1–33FocusHuman limits and ordered observations
Connection to the wholeAgur's words combine confession of limited understanding, prayer, and numerical sayings about the world and human conduct.
interpretation The words of Lemuel and the capable woman
Proverbs 31:1–31FocusJust rule and faithful work
Connection to the wholeThe final chapter joins instruction concerning rulers with an ordered portrait of a woman's capable and generous work.
interpretation Suggested literary divisions. Headings summarize the passage; they are not part of the biblical text.