Proverbs 10:1-32

1 The comfort of parents much depends on their children; and this suggests to both, motives to their duties. Proverbs 10:2; Proverbs 10:3. Though the righteous may be poor, the Lord will not suffer him to want what is needful for spiritual life. Proverbs 10:4. Those who are fervent in spirit, serving the Lord, are likely to be rich in faith, and rich in good works. Proverbs 10:5. Here is just blame of those who trifle away opportunities, both for here and for hereafter. Proverbs 10:6. Abundance of blessings shall abide on good men; real blessings. Proverbs 10:7. Both the just and the wicked must die; but between their souls there is a vast difference. Proverbs 10:8. The wise in heart puts his knowledge in practice. Proverbs 10:9. Dissemblers, after all their shuffling, will be exposed. Proverbs 10:10. Trick and artifice will be no excuse for iniquity. Proverbs 10:11. The good man's mouth is always open to teach, comfort, and correct others. Proverbs 10:12. Where there is hatred, every thing stirs up strife. By bearing with each other, peace and harmony are preserved. Proverbs 10:13. Those that foolishly go on in wicked ways, prepare rods for themselves. Proverbs 10:14. Whatever knowledge may be useful, we must lay it up, that it may not be to seek when we want it. The wise gain this wisdom by reading, by hearing the word, by meditation, by prayer, by faith in Christ, who is made of God unto us wisdom. Proverbs 10:15. This refers to the common mistakes both of rich and poor, as to their outward condition. Rich people's wealth exposes them to many dangers; while a poor man may live comfortably, if he is content, keeps a good conscience, and lives by faith. Proverbs 10:16. Perhaps a righteous man has no more than what he works hard for, but that labour tends to life. Proverbs 10:17. The traveller that has missed his way, and cannot bear to be told of it, and to be shown the right way, must err still. Proverbs 10:18. He is especially a fool who thinks to hide anything from God; and malice is no better. Proverbs 10:19. Those that speak much, speak much amiss. He that checks himself is a wise man, and therein consults his own peace. Proverbs 10:20; Proverbs 10:21. The tongue of the just is sincere, freed from the dross of guile and evil design. Pious discourse is spiritual food to the needy. Fools die for want of a heart, so the word is; for want of thought. Proverbs 10:22. That wealth which is truly desirable, has no vexation of spirit in the enjoyment; no grief for the loss; no guilt by the abuse of it. What comes from the love of God, has the grace of God for its companion. Proverbs 10:23. Only foolish and wicked men divert themselves with doing harm to others, or tempting to sin. Proverbs 10:24. The largest desire of eternal blessings the righteous can form, will be granted. Proverbs 10:25. The course of prosperous sinners is like a whirlwind, which soon spends itself, and is gone. Proverbs 10:26. As vinegar sets the teeth on edge, and as the smoke causes the eyes to smart, so the sluggard vexes his employer. Proverbs 10:27; Proverbs 10:28. What man is he that loves life? Let him fear God, and that will secure to him life enough in this world, and eternal life in the other. Proverbs 10:29. The believer grows stronger in faith, and obeys with increased delight. Proverbs 10:30. The wicked would be glad to have this earth their home for ever, but it cannot be so. They must die and leave all their idols behind. Proverbs 10:31; Proverbs 10:32. A good man discourses wisely for the benefit of others. But it is the sin, and will be the ruin of a wicked man, that he speaks what is displeasing to God, and provoking to those he converses with. The righteous is kept by the power of God; and nothing shall be able to separate him from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus. $-$-$- PR:11 Proverbs 10:1; Proverbs 10:2. Considering how safe, and quiet, and easy the humble are, we see that with the lowly is wisdom. Proverbs 10:3. An honest man's principles are fixed, therefore his way is plain. Proverbs 10:4. Riches will stand men in no stead in the day of death. Proverbs 10:5; Proverbs 10:6. The ways of wickedness are dangerous. And sin will be its own punishment. Proverbs 10:7. When a godly man dies, all his fears vanish; but when a wicked man dies, his hopes vanish. Proverbs 10:8. The righteous are often wonderfully kept from going into dangerous situations, and the ungodly go in their stead. Proverbs 10:9. Hypocrites delude men into error and sin by artful objections against the truths of God's word. Proverbs 10:10; Proverbs 10:11. Nations prosper when wicked men are cast down. Proverbs 10:12. A man of understanding does not judge of others by their success. Proverbs 10:13. A faithful man will not disclose what he is trusted with, unless the honour of God and the real good of society require it. Proverbs 10:14. We shall often find it to our advantage to advise with others. Proverbs 10:15. The welfare of our families, our own peace, and our ability to pay just debts, must not be brought into danger. But here especially let us consider the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ in becoming Surety even for enemies. Proverbs 10:16. A pious and discreet woman will keep esteem and respect, as strong men keep possession of wealth. Proverbs 10:17. A cruel, froward, ill-natured man, is vexatious to those that are, and should be to him as his own flesh, and punishes himself. Proverbs 10:18. He that makes it his business to do good, shall have a reward, as sure to him as eternal truth can make it. Proverbs 10:19. True holiness is true happiness. The more violent a man is in sinful pursuits, the more he hastens his own destruction. Proverbs 10:20. Nothing is more hateful to God, than hypocrisy and double dealing, which are here signified. God delights in such as aim and act with uprightness. Proverbs 10:21. Joining together in sin shall not protect the sinners. Proverbs 10:22. Beauty is abused by those who have not discretion or modesty with it. This is true of all bodily endowments. Proverbs 10:23. The wicked desire mischief to others, but it shall return upon themselves. Proverbs 10:24. A man may grow poor by not paying just debts, not relieving the poor, not allowing needful expenses. Let men be ever so saving of what they have, if God appoints, it comes to nothing. Proverbs 10:25. Both in temporal and spiritual things, God commonly deals with his people according to the measure by which they deal with their brethren. Proverbs 10:26. We must not hoard up the gifts of God's bounty, merely for our own advantage. Proverbs 10:27. Seeking mischief is here set against seeking good; for those that are not doing good are doing hurt, even to themselves. Proverbs 10:28. The true believer is a branch of the living Vine. When those that take root in the world wither, those who are grafted into Christ shall be fruitful. Proverbs 10:29. He that brings trouble upon himself and his family, by carelessness, or by wickedness, shall be unable to keep and enjoy what he gets, as a man is unable to hold the wind, or to satisfy himself with it. Proverbs 10:30. The righteous are as trees of life; and their influence upon earth, like the fruits of that tree, support and nourish the spiritual life in many. Proverbs 10:31. Even the righteous, when they offend on earth, shall meet with sharp corrections; much more will the wicked meet the due reward of their sins. Let us then seek those blessings which our Surety purchased by his sufferings and death; let us seek to copy his example, and to keep his commandments. $-$-$- PR:12 Proverbs 10:1; Proverbs 10:2. The man who covers selfish and vicious designs under a profession of religion or friendship, will be condemned. Proverbs 10:3. Though men may advance themselves by sinful arts, they cannot settle and secure themselves. But those who by faith are rooted in Christ, are firmly fixed. Proverbs 10:4. A wife who is pious, prudent, and looks well to the ways of her household, who makes conscience of her duty, and can bear crosses; such a one