Proverbs 10

Contrasting proverbs address the difference between the wise son and the foolish, the hand of the diligent and the hand of the slack, the mouth of the righteous and the mouth of the wicked. The chapter sets the dominant pattern for the next twenty chapters: righteousness brings life, wickedness brings ruin.

v	King James Version	Modern English
1	The proverbs of Solomon. A wise son maketh a glad father: but a foolish son is the heaviness of his mother.	The proverbs of Solomon. A wise son makes a glad father; but a foolish son is the heaviness of his mother.
2	Treasures of wickedness profit nothing: but righteousness delivereth from death.	Treasures of wickedness profit nothing; but righteousness delivers from death.
3	The LORD will not suffer the soul of the righteous to famish: but he casteth away the substance of the wicked.	The LORD will not allow the soul of the righteous to famish; but he casts away the substance of the wicked.
4	He becometh poor that dealeth with a slack hand: but the hand of the diligent maketh rich.	He who deals with a slack hand becomes poor; but the hand of the diligent makes rich.
5	He that gathereth in summer is a wise son: but he that sleepeth in harvest is a son that causeth shame.	He who gathers in summer is a wise son; but he who sleeps in harvest is a son who causes shame.
6	Blessings are upon the head of the just: but violence covereth the mouth of the wicked.	Blessings are on the head of the just; but violence covers the mouth of the wicked.
7	The memory of the just is blessed: but the name of the wicked shall rot.	The memory of the just is blessed; but the name of the wicked will rot.
8	The wise in heart will receive commandments: but a prating fool shall fall.	The wise in heart will receive commandments; but a babbling fool will fall.
9	He that walketh uprightly walketh surely: but he that perverteth his ways shall be known.	He who walks uprightly walks securely; but he who perverts his ways will be found out.
10	He that winketh with the eye causeth sorrow: but a prating fool shall fall.	He who winks with the eye causes sorrow; but a babbling fool will fall.
11	The mouth of a righteous man is a well of life: but violence covereth the mouth of the wicked.	The mouth of a righteous man is a well of life; but violence covers the mouth of the wicked.
12	Hatred stirreth up strifes: but love covereth all sins.	Hatred stirs up strife; but love covers all sins.
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.	Wisdom is found on the lips of him who has understanding; but a rod is for the back of him who lacks understanding.
14	Wise men lay up knowledge: but the mouth of the foolish is near destruction.	Wise men store up knowledge; but the mouth of the foolish is near destruction.
15	The rich man's wealth is his strong city: the destruction of the poor is their poverty.	The rich man's wealth is his strong city; the destruction of the poor is their poverty.
16	The labour of the righteous tendeth to life: the fruit of the wicked to sin.	The labor of the righteous leads to life; the fruit of the wicked to sin.
17	He is in the way of life that keepeth instruction: but he that refuseth reproof erreth.	He who keeps instruction is in the way of life; but he who refuses correction goes astray.
18	He that hideth hatred with lying lips, and he that uttereth a slander, is a fool.	He who hides hatred with lying lips, and he who utters slander, is a fool.
19	In the multitude of words there wanteth not sin: but he that refraineth his lips is wise.	In the multitude of words sin is not lacking; but he who restrains his lips is wise.
20	The tongue of the just is as choice silver: the heart of the wicked is little worth.	The tongue of the just is like choice silver; the heart of the wicked is of little worth.
21	The lips of the righteous feed many: but fools die for want of wisdom.	The lips of the righteous feed many; but fools die for lack of wisdom.
22	The blessing of the LORD, it maketh rich, and he addeth no sorrow with it.	The blessing of the LORD makes rich, and He adds no sorrow with it.
23	It is as sport to a fool to do mischief: but a man of understanding hath wisdom.	It is as sport to a fool to do mischief; but a man of understanding has wisdom.
24	The fear of the wicked, it shall come upon him: but the desire of the righteous shall be granted.	The fear of the wicked will come on him; but the desire of the righteous will be granted.
25	As the whirlwind passeth, so is the wicked no more: but the righteous is an everlasting foundation.	As the whirlwind passes, so the wicked are no more; but the righteous have an everlasting foundation.
26	As vinegar to the teeth, and as smoke to the eyes, so is the sluggard to them that send him.	As vinegar to the teeth and as smoke to the eyes, so is the sluggard to those who send him.
27	The fear of the LORD prolongeth days: but the years of the wicked shall be shortened.	The fear of the LORD prolongs days; but the years of the wicked will be shortened.
28	The hope of the righteous shall be gladness: but the expectation of the wicked shall perish.	The hope of the righteous will be gladness; but the expectation of the wicked will perish.
29	The way of the LORD is strength to the upright: but destruction shall be to the workers of iniquity.	The way of the LORD is strength to the upright; but destruction will be to the workers of iniquity.
30	The righteous shall never be removed: but the wicked shall not inhabit the earth.	The righteous will never be removed; but the wicked will not inhabit the earth.
31	The mouth of the just bringeth forth wisdom: but the froward tongue shall be cut out.	The mouth of the just brings forth wisdom; but the perverse tongue will be cut out.
32	The lips of the righteous know what is acceptable: but the mouth of the wicked speaketh frowardness.	The lips of the righteous know what is acceptable; but the mouth of the wicked speaks perversity.