Pro 10 | TNotes | STEP | Summary for Prov 10:1: 10:1–22:16 This long section is called The proverbs of Solomon . It consists mostly of brief bits of advice and observation. These sayings make heavy use of antithetical parallelism to contrast wisdom and righteousness with folly and wickedness. The arrangement of these proverbs appears to be essentially random, as in Egyptian and Mesopotamian wisdom literature. Some proverbs are repeated (see 6:10-11 and 24:33-34 ; 14:12 and 16:25 ; 18:8 and 26:22 ; 19:24 and 26:15 ; 20:16 and 27:13 ; 21:9 and 25:24 ; 22:3 and 27:12 ). Sometimes a group of proverbs shares a similar theme (e.g., 16:1-11 ). 10:1 The joy or grief of godly parents reflects the degree of their child’s obedience to principles of wisdom.

Summary for Prov 10:1: 10:1–22:16 ^a This long section is called The proverbs of Solomon. It consists mostly of brief bits of advice and observation. These sayings make heavy use of antithetical parallelism to contrast wisdom and righteousness with folly and wickedness. The arrangement of these proverbs appears to be essentially random, as in Egyptian and Mesopotamian wisdom literature. Some proverbs are repeated (see 6:10-11 ^b and 24:33-34 ^c; 14:12 ^d and 16:25 ^e; 18:8 ^f and 26:22 ^g; 19:24 ^h and 26:15 ⁱ; 20:16 ^j and 27:13 ^k; 21:9 ^l and 25:24 ^m; 22:3 ⁿ and 27:12 ^o). Sometimes a group of proverbs shares a similar theme (e.g., 16:1-11 ^p). 10:1 ^q The joy or grief of godly parents reflects the degree of their child’s obedience to principles of wisdom.
10:2 ^r Tainted wealth ... right living: The book of Proverbs promotes good behavior over having money (see also 11:18 ^s; 13:11 ^t, 22 ^u).
10:3 ^v This proverb can be misused if outward results are regarded as a barometer of godliness. Job’s three friends, for example, wrongly reasoned that Job must have sinned to earn his suffering (see Job 22:6-11 ^w).
Summary for Prov 10:4-5: 10:4-5 ^x Lazy people are foolish, while hard workers are wise (see also 10:26 ^y; 26:13-16 ^z).
10:7 ^aa the name of a wicked person rots away: In ancient Israel, as is still true today in the Middle East, honor and shame were powerful motivators.
10:9 ^ab Paths are a metaphor for life (see 1:15 ^ac).
10:10 ^ad To wink at wrong suggests approving of bad behavior rather than confronting it.

• but a bold reproof promotes peace: The NLT translators assume that the original text is reflected in the Greek version. The second line in the Hebrew text may have been copied by mistake from 10:8 ^ae.
10:11 ^af As a fountain provides water that sustains life, the words of the godly give life to those who hear them. In contrast, the violent intentions concealed in the words of the wicked bring death (see also 10:6 ^ag; Jas 3:1-12 ^ah).
10:13 ^ai beaten with a rod: People lacking sense will bring harm upon themselves through what they say. Concerning physical discipline, see 23:13-14 ^aj.
10:15 ^ak Although wealth can be a fortress against trouble, money can also create trouble (13:8 ^al) and can provide false security (18:10-11 ^am).
10:17 ^an Wise people are not afraid to have their thinking or behavior corrected—they accept discipline as an opportunity to grow in wisdom.
10:19 ^ao Those who talk too much show their ignorance and get in trouble (see also 10:17 ^ap; 13:3 ^aq; 17:28 ^ar).
10:20 ^as Words are an expression of the heart.
10:25 ^at The wicked might enjoy the material blessings of life, but only temporarily, in contrast with the godly. Jesus also expressed this reality (Matt 7:24-27 ^au).
10:30 ^av This proverb connects with God’s covenant promises to Israel (see Deut 28:1-14 ^aw, 63-68 ^ax). Such connections are rare in the book of Proverbs.