Proverbs 10

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

These [are more] proverbs/wise sayings from Solomon: If children are wise, they cause their parents to be happy; but if children are foolish, they cause their parents to be very sad.

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

Money that you get by doing dishonest/wicked things will really not benefit you; but by living righteously you will live for (a long time/many years).

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

Yahweh does not allow righteous [people] to starve, but he will prevent wicked [people] from getting what they want.

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

Lazy people [soon] become poor; it is those who work hard who become rich.

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

Those who are wise, harvest the crops when they are ripe; it is shameful/disgraceful to sleep [and not work] during harvest time.

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

Righteous [people will] be blessed [by God]; [the nice things] that wicked [people] say [MTY] [sometimes] conceal the fact that they [are planning to] act violently.

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

After righteous [people die], other people are blessed as they remember [what those people did before they died]; but we will soon forget wicked people [MTY] after they die.

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

Wise people heed good instruction/advice, but people who talk foolishly will ruin themselves.

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

Honest people will be safe, but [others] (OR, God) will find out those who are dishonest.

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

Those who signal with their eyes [that they are about to do something that is wrong] cause trouble, but those who rebuke others truthfully cause them to be peaceful.

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

What righteous [people] say [MTY] is [like] a fountain that (gives life/enables people to live many years) [MET], but what wicked [people] say [MTY] hides [the fact] that they intend to act violently.

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

When we hate others, it causes quarrels, but if we love others, we forgive them [for the wrong things that they do].

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.

Those who have good sense say [MTY] what is wise, but people who do not have good sense must be punished.

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

Wise people continue to learn all that they can, but when foolish people speak, they soon cause trouble.

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

The wealth that rich people have [protects them like a city is protected by a] strong wall around it [MET], but people who are poor suffer much [because they have no one to help them].

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

If you are righteous, your reward will be a good life, [but] all that sinful people gain is to sin more.

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

Those who pay attention when others try to (correct them/teach them what they are doing that is wrong) will live (happily/for many years); but those who reject being rebuked will not find the road to life (OR, cause others to go astray).

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

Those who will not admit that they hate [others] are liars, and those who slander [others] are foolish.

19 In the multitude of words there lacketh not sin: but he that holdeth his lips is wise.

When people talk a lot, that will lead them to sin a lot [by what they say]; if you are wise, you will refuse to say very much.

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

What righteous/good [people] say [MTY] is [as valuable as] pure silver [MET]; what wicked [people] think is worthless.

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

What righteous [people] say [MTY] benefits many [people], but foolish people die because of the stupid [things that they do].

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

Yahweh blesses [some people] by enabling them to become rich, and working hard will not make them to become richer (OR, and he will not also cause them to become sad).

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

Foolish people (have fun/enjoy) doing what is wrong, but wise/sensible people enjoy doing what is wise.

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

Righteous [people] will get the good things that they want/desire, but what wicked [people] are afraid of is what will happen to them.

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

When storms come, the wicked will (be blown away/never be safe), but righteous [people will] be safe forever.

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

We do not like a lazy person who refuses to do the job that he is given to do, [just] like we do not like vinegar in our mouths or smoke in our eyes.

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

If you revere Yahweh, you will live for a long time; but wicked [people] die before they become old.

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

Righteous [people] confidently expect [that good things will happen to them], and that causes them to be happy/joyful; but when wicked [people] confidently expect something good to happen, it does not happen.

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

Yahweh protects [MET] those who live righteously, but he destroys those who do what is evil.

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

Righteous [people] will always be secure [LIT], but wicked people will be removed from their land (OR, from this earth).

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

Righteous people [MTY] say things that are wise, but [God] will shut the mouths of people [MTY] who say what is not true.

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

Righteous people [MTY] know what to say that is acceptable, but wicked [people] [MTY] are [constantly] saying things that are not true.