Proverbs 10 – Skeptic's Annotated Bible answered

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

"A wise son maketh a glad father."

But what is wise?

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

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

God never allows good people to go hungry or the wicked to become wealthy.

Those that fear God will not want any good thing. The author of the SAB uses the phrase “good people” which is not specific enough. Because who is good? Not one, Rom. 3:12. And his claim that the wicked will not become wealthy is completely incorrect. Solomon actually says that states that God will cast away the substance of the wicked, indicating they have wealth! But it is gained through wickedness, and that will not last as we can read daily in our newspapers.

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

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

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

(10:6-7) "Blessings are upon the head of the just. The memory of the just is blessed."
Has the ever been a just person?

See Eccl. 7:20.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

By the fruit we know the tree. Preferring this verse and not following it, does not mean much.

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.

14 Wise men lay 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.

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

Are we saved by faith alone?

This verse does not mention work in order to become saved. If we read the context, the contrast is with the wicked: the money they gain in this live, they spend in sin. And they labor, honestly or dishonestly, in order to continue sinning. But the aim of the righteous is life. As John Gill explains:

All that he labors for is to get a livelihood for himself and family; that is all he desires, nor does he seek great things for himself: or to spiritual life; so his spiritual exercises in praying, reading, and hearing the word, and waiting upon ordinances, have a tendency to promote and maintain a spiritual life in him: or to eternal life;

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

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

19 In the multitude of words there wanteth not sin: but he that refraineth 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 as choice silver."
Has the ever been a just person?

See Eccl. 7:20.

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

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

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

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

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

"As the whirlwind passeth, so is the wicked no more."
Does hell exist?

The wicked is no more on this earth, his body is dead, but his soul lives. Solomon does not discuss what happens when the wicked have departed the earth in this verse, but he does address this at another place, see Eccl. 3:21.

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

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

"The years of the wicked shall be shortened." Do the wicked lived long and prosper?

See Job 21:7.

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

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

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

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

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