Proverbs 10

The Proverbs of Solomon

Chapter 10 begins the proverbs of Solomon. These continue through chapter 22. These chapters contain short sayings in the format of antithetical parallelism contrasting good and evil.  The first proverb is this section is a good example, "A wise child brings joy to a father, a foolish child brings grief to a mother." (10:1).  The sayings are usually not grouped in themes or have any literary flow from one saying to the other. For example, 10:2 states, "Tainted wealth has no lasting value, but right living can save your life."  The subject matter and lesson are completely different from the previous verse.  Both have the same format, both deal with contrasting themes, but one is talking about children and parents and the next is talking about wealth and right living.

One of my favorites in this chapter is 10:10, "People who wink at wrong cause trouble, but a bold reproof promotes peace." Not rebuking wrong is tacit acceptance.

May God bless you and bless the reading of His Word.