WISE SAYINGS OF SOLOMON A WISE AND RIGHTEOUS SON...

http://www.biblestudyworkshop.org 1 Neil Hight and John C. Sewell

WISE SAYINGS OF SOLOMON

A

WISE AND RIGHTEOUS SON

COMPARED TO A

FOOLISH AND WICKED SON

PROVERBS 10:1-32

Landmark Publications, Inc., 1045 Maynor Street, Nashville, TN., 37216, U.S.A., John C. Sewell, Ph.D., Editor

http://www.biblestudyworkshop.org


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A

Wise and Righteous Son

Compared to a

Foolish and Wicked Son

Text: Proverbs 10:1-32, The proverbs of Solomon: 1. A wise son makes a glad father, But a foolish son is the grief of his mother. 2. Treasures of wickedness profit nothing, But righteousness delivers from death. 3. The LORD will not allow the righteous soul to famish, But He casts away the desire of the wicked. 4. He who has a slack hand becomes poor, But the hand of the diligent makes rich. 5. He who gathers in summer is a wise son; He who sleeps in harvest is a son who causes shame. 6. Blessings are on the head of the righteous, But violence covers the mouth of the wicked. 7. The memory of the righteous is blessed, But the name of the wicked will rot. 8. The wise in heart will receive commands, But a prating fool will fall. 9. He who walks with integrity walks securely, But he who perverts his ways will become known.




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10. He who winks with the eye causes trouble, But a prating fool will fall. 11. The mouth of the righteous is a well of life, But violence covers the mouth of the wicked. 12. Hatred stirs up strife, But love covers all sins. 13. Wisdom is found on the lips of him who has understanding, But a rod is for the back of him who is devoid of understanding. 14. Wise people 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. 16. The labor of the righteous leads to life, The wages of the wicked to sin. 17. He who keeps instruction is in the way of life, But he who refuses correction goes astray. 18. Whoever hides hatred has lying lips, And whoever spreads slander is a fool. 19. In the multitude of words sin is not lacking, But he who restrains his lips is wise. 20. The tongue of the righteous is choice silver; The heart of the wicked is worth little. 21. The lips of the righteous feed many, But fools die for lack of wisdom. 22. The blessing of the LORD makes one rich, And He adds no sorrow with it. 23. To do evil is like sport to a fool, But a man of understanding has wisdom. 24. The fear of the wicked will come upon him, And the desire of the righteous will be granted. 25. When the whirlwind passes by, the wicked is no more, But the righteous has an everlasting foundation. 26. As vinegar to the teeth and smoke to the eyes, So is the lazy man to those who send him.




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27. The fear of the LORD prolongs days, But the years of the wicked will be shortened. 28. The hope of the righteous will be gladness, But the expectation of the wicked will perish. 29. The way of the LORD is strength for the upright, But destruction will come to the workers of iniquity. 30. The righteous will never be removed, But the wicked will not inhabit the earth. 31. The mouth of the righteous 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 what is perverse. (NKJV) Introduction: I. Wise Sayings of Solomon: The Proverbs of Solomon.

A. Ecclesiastes 1:9b says, “There is nothing new under the sun.”

1. These words convey the timelessness of the wisdom the writer imparts. 2. We must recognize that the advice is as pertinent today as it was when Solomon penned it – and even before! (Hight)

B. The Hebrew root word for Proverbs means “the putting of this and that together.”

1. A collection, if you will, of sayings, axioms or truisms. (Hight)




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C. In proverbs 10, we see the comparison and contrast of wisdom to ignorance. (Height)

II. “At chapter 10 a new division of the Book of Proverbs begins,” Smith wrote, introduced by the phrase, “The Proverbs of Solomon,” which indicates the author of this material.

A. “The proverbs in chapters 10-12 are antithetical in construction,” Smith further observed, “Half of the verse points to a principle in the life of wisdom, and half to the opposite principle in the life of folly.”

III. “Proverbs 10-15 are dominated with sayings contrasting righteousness with wickedness (especially chapters 10-11),” Bland wrote.

A. “Those who practice righteousness reap blessings from God.” (Bland) B. “Those who practice wickedness receive the consequences.” (Bland)

IV. Following Coffman’s lead, this commentary will, in part, seek “to repeat the message of the proverb in different phraseology, to call upon other translations and versions for different renditions of the various proverbs, and shall give special attention to any New Testament light on any of these (proverbs).” Commentary:

The Choice of Wisdom

Proverbs 10:1-5




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Proverbs 10:1, A wise son makes a glad father, But a foolish son is the grief of his mother. (NKJV) I. A wise son makes a glad (joyful) father, . . .

A. We must remember the importance of male children in ancient Hebrew culture and understand the content can be applied to children in general – regardless of their gender. (Height) B. Joy and grief are the products of “a wise son” and “a foolish son.” (Smith)

1. Smith defines “wise” and “foolish” as ethical rather than intellectual qualities.

C. Psalm 1:1-6, Blessed is the man Who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, Nor stands in the path of sinners, Nor sits in the seat of the scornful; But his delight is in the law of the LORD, And in His law he meditates day and night. He shall be like a tree Planted by the rivers of water, That brings forth its fruit in its season, Whose leaf also shall not wither; And whatever he does shall prosper. The ungodly are not so, But are like the chaff which the wind drives away. Therefore the ungodly shall not stand in the judgment, Nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous. For the LORD knows the way of the righteous, But the way of the ungodly shall perish. (NKJV)

D. The seldom mention in Proverbs of women (daughters and wives) can be attributed in part to the relatively low estimate




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in which women of the ancient world were held, Coffman advised.

E. A wise son or daughter produces happy parents. (Coffman)

F. The Pulpit Commentary states that “wisdom comprises all moral excellence . . .”

II. But a foolish son is the grief of his mother.

A. Millions of grieving mothers of foolish sons/daughters can definitely attest to the truth of this statement! B. Foolish children, sons and daughters, contribute to parental grief. (Coffman) C. The Pulpit Commentary states that foolishness, “folly is vice and perversity.”

Note 1: This section has antithetical characteristics (Clarke) illustrated in this verse by such words as wise-foolish, glad-grief, father-mother. Note 2: Many of the proverbs are statements of general truths to which there may be certain exceptions. “One proverb cannot say it all.” (See Bland.) Proverbs 10:2, Treasures of wickedness profit nothing, But righteousness delivers from death. (NKJV) I. Treasures of wickedness (ill-gotten treasure, property gained by wicked means) profit nothing (are of no value), . . .




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A. The warning is against ill-gotten gain which will eventually fade.

1. Matthew 6:19, Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal; . . . 2. Physical treasures will not last, so do not make your storehouse of these “things”, but of righteousness. (Hight) 3. “Treasures of wickedness” are treasures acquired by wrong doing. (The Pulpit Commentary)

a. Micah 6:10-13, Are there yet the treasures of wickedness In the house of the wicked, And the short measure that is an abomination? Shall I count pure those with the wicked scales, And with the bag of deceitful weights? For her rich men are full of violence, Her inhabitants have spoken lies, And their tongue is deceitful in their mouth. “ Therefore I will also make you sick by striking you, By making you desolate because of your sins. (NKJV) b. Matthew 16:26, For what profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul? (NKJV)

B. Profit and loss are contrasted in this verse. (Smith)




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C. “Money, treasures acquired by illegal means brings no genuine happiness” and they will only hinder come judgment day. (Smith) D. Bland reminds us that, “Evil behavior produces evil consequences. Righteous behavior produces prosperity”; that is, as a general rule.

1. This is because God blesses the righteous and punishes the wicked.

a. Bland quoting Hildebrandt wrote, “. . .about seventy (70) proverbs in chapters 10-15 are based on the act-acquaintance formula and about one hundred-fifty two (152) proverbs are character-consequences based.”

II. But righteousness delivers from death.

A. Smith defines “righteousness” as moral goodness in general and charity in particular. B. The Good News Bible, according to Coffman, renders this parable, “Wealth you get by dishonesty will do you no good, but honesty can save your life.” C. Wealth procured by righteousness carries with it no negative ramifications but actually protects against the penalties associated with gain acquired by wickedness. (See Clarke.)

1. 1 Timothy 6:18-19, Let them do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to give, willing to share, storing up for themselves a good




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foundation for the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life. (NKJV)

Proverbs 10:3, The LORD will not allow the righteous soul to famish, But He casts away the desire of the wicked. (NKJV) I. The LORD will not allow the righteous soul (life) to famish (go hungry), . . .

A. True riches will deliver from death and the Lord will refresh that soul.

1. It must be noted that the promise is that the Lord will not allow the soul to famish and no such promise is made for the physical body. (Hight)

B. Satisfaction and frustration are here contrasted, Smith wrote. C. “God will provide the necessities of life,” Smith stated.

1. Proverbs 13:25, The righteous eats to the satisfying of his soul,But the stomach of the wicked shall be in want. (NKJV) 2. Matthew 6:26, 33, Look at the birds of the air, for they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you. (NKJV)




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3. Psalm 37:25, I have been young, and now am old; Yet I have not seen the righteous forsaken, Nor his descendants begging bread. (NKJV)

D. Coffman stated that this parable promises the righteous soul, not body, will not famish, go hungry. E. “The righteous have God for their feeder; and because of his infinite bounty, they can never famish for want of the bread of life,” Clarke wrote. F. Soul often refers to a person’s life.

1. Proverbs 19:23, The fear of the LORD leads to life, And he who has it will abide in satisfaction; He will not be visited with evil. (NKJV)

II. But he casts away (thwarts) the desire (craving of the wicked (hyprocrite).

A. The idea is that the desire of the wicked is continually beyond their reach – they can never be filled by the emptiness of sin.

1. True happiness and “abundant life” (John 10:10) come only by obeying God. (Hight)

a. John 10:10, The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.




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B. “The wicked are never satisfied,” Smith stated, and “experience no real enjoyment out of what they crave.” C. “Wisdom and folly are closely related to righteousness and wickedness,” Smith noted. D. “God frustrates the eager longing of the wicked; they are never satisfied, and get no real enjoyment out of what they crave.” (The Pulpit Commentary)

Proverbs 10:4, He who has a slack hand becomes poor, But the hand of the diligent makes rich. (NKJV) I. He who has a slack (lazy) hand becomes poor, . . .

A. Laziness will catch up with you and leave you wanting, but diligent work will pay off. (Hight)

1. 2 Thessalonians 3:10b, if anyone will not work, neither shall he eat.

B. “Industry and indolence,” Smith observed, are contrasted in this verse. C. The “slack hand” is one that will not work which “results in poverty,” Smith stated. D. “A slack (lazy, indolent) hand makes men poor, . . .” (Moffatt via Coffman)

1. Proverbs 6:10-11, A little sleep, a little slumber, A little folding of the hands to sleep—So shall your poverty come on you like a prowler, And your need like an armed man. (NKJV)




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2. Proverbs 19:15, Laziness casts one into a deep sleep, And an idle person will suffer hunger. (NKJV) 3. The Septuagint reads, “Poverty humbleth a man.”

E. “He who will not work shall not eat,” God has decreed.

1. God “always blesses the work of the industrious man,” Clarke wrote.

III. But the hand of the diligent makes rich (brings wealth).

A. The Bible stresses the dignity of vigorous work, Smith reminds us, which brings wealth.

1. Exodus 20:9, Six days you shall labor and do all your work,

B. “. . .a busy hand makes men rich.” (Moffatt via Coffman)

1. Proverbs 12:24, The hand of the diligent will rule, But the lazy man will be put to forced labor. (NKJV)

Proverbs 10:5, He who gathers in summer is a wise son; He who sleeps in harvest is a son who causes shame. (NKJ) I. He who gathers (crops) in summer is a wise son, . . .

A. “Make hay while the sun shines.”




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1. There are certain things that must be done within time constraints. (Hight)

a. One cannot harvest a garden in winter and therefore must reap during harvest to prepare for the coming season. (Hight) b. You cannot shut the barn door after the horse has already escaped and accomplish anything. (Hight)

B. Christ stated the importance of working while there is time – because there will come a time when it will be too late (John 9:4). (Hight)

1. John 9:4, I must work the works of Him who sent Me while it is day; the night is coming when no one can work.

C. “Foresight (prudence) and procrastination” are here contrasted, Smith wrote. D. Coffman quotes the Easy to Read Version of the Bible as rendering this passage as, “A smart man gathering the crops at the right time; . . .” E. There is a time for planting and a time for reaping.

1. We must avail ourselves of opportunities as they arise if we are to prosper. 2. Clarke observed that the farmer who fails to work the fields in the summer cannot expect a harvest in the fall. (Clarke)




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III. He who sleeps in harvest is a (disgraceful) son who causes shame.

A. Smith wrote, “Crops not gathered in the fair weather of summer were destined to be ruined by the heavy autumn rains.”

B. “. . .but if a man sleeps during the time of harvest and does not gather the crops, then he will be shamed.” (The Easy to Read version of the Bible via Coffman)

The Wise and The Foolish

Proverbs 10:6-22

Proverbs 10:6, Blessings are on the head of the righteous, But violence covers the mouth of the wicked. (NKJV) I. Blessings are on the head (crown) of the righteous, . . .

A. Blessings for the righteous and violence for the wicked are here contrasted.

1. Christ made a similar statement in Matthew 26:52b, “For all who take the sword shall perish by the sword.”

B. “Blessings” and “cursings” are contrasted in verse 6, Smith observed; blessings come on the righteous while violence awaits the wicked.




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1. This is due to God’s providence and the natural results of these characteristics, qualities of life.

C. Bland wrote, “The book of Proverbs contains a number of ‘overlapping sayings,’ where one line is interchanged with another proverb in another part of the collection. The sages used proverbs with flexibility, changing and adding lines in different situations.”

II. But violence (untimely grief, misery) covers (overwhelms) the mouth of the wicked.

A. Coffman wrote, “It was an ancient custom to cover the faces of men condemned to death.”

1. Esther 7:8, When the king returned from the palace garden to the place of the banquet of wine, Haman had fallen across the couch where Esther was. Then the king said, “Will he also assault the queen while I am in the house?” As the word left the king’s mouth, they covered Haman’s face. (NKJV)

B. Clarke wrote, “. . .the violence of the wicked shall cover their face with shame and confusion.” C. This phrase is repeated in Proverbs 10:11, The mouth of the righteous is a well of life, But violence covers the mouth of the wicked.

1. Micah 3:7, So the seers shall be ashamed, And the diviners abashed; Indeed they shall all cover their lips; For there is no answer from God.” (NKJV)




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D. The Pulpit Commentary reads, “The contrast is between the manifest blessedness of the righteous and the secret sinister proceedings of the evil.”

Proverbs 10:7, The memory of the righteous is blessed, But the name of the wicked will rot. (NKJ) I. The memory of the righteous (just) is blessed, . . .

A. The sweet memories of the righteous and the distaste of the very name of an evil person, even in his death, are here contrasted.

1. What will people say about us when we are gone? (Hight)

B. Pleasant and painful memories are here contrasted, Smith observed.

1. The righteous souls of the departed are honored and respectfully remembered. (See Smith.) 2. Reference is made to the lasting, pleasant fragrance of a holy life. 3. Psalm 72:17, His name shall endure forever; His name shall continue as long as the sun. And men shall be blessed in Him; All nations shall call Him blessed. (NKJV)

C. “This contrasts the beautiful and precious memory of a godly life with the shame and rejection that linger upon the names of the wicked,” Coffman wrote.




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II. But the name (memory) of the wicked will rot (and stink).

A. But the name (memory) of the wicked (Hitler, Nero, Jezebel, Judas) will certainly rot. (See Smith.)

1. Who can deny that?

Proverbs 10:8, The wise in heart will receive commands, But a prating fool will fall. (NKJ) I. The wise in heart will receive (God’s) commands, . . .

A. Franklin D. Roosevelt is quoted as having said, “I do not consider myself a wise man – but I do surround myself with them.” (Hight)

1. We must receive the counsel of the wise (God’s word) if we are to gain wisdom. (Hight)

B. Humility and arrogance are here contrasted. (See Smith.)

1. The humble “is not proud or conceited; he accepts the divine law with all its directions and is not above learning from others,” Smith stated.

C. “A sensible man will take orders,” Coffman wrote.

II. But a prating (chattering) fool will fall (come to ruin).

A. The senseless talker, chatterer cannot learn anything while he is incessantly talking, saying nothing, and refusing to listen to sage advice.

1. The result of this refusal to listen is ruin.




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B. “. . .the fool who talks back will be crushed,” Coffman wrote. C. This phrase is repeated in verse 10b.

1. “. . .the shallow babbling fool shall be cast down,” Clarke wrote. 2. “The fool is chastised by his lips;” i.e., the folly which he has uttered falls back upon him, and causes him to suffer punishment.” (The Pulpit Commentary)

Proverbs 10:9, He who walks with integrity walks securely, But he who perverts his ways will become known. (NKJV) I. He who walks (uprightly) with integrity walks securely (safely). . . .

A. Numbers 32:23, “. . .be sure your sin will find you out.”

1. You can quickly ruin your good name through dishonesty. Make sure you walk uprightly! (Hight) 2. It is much harder to rebuild a good reputation than it is to maintain one. (Hight)

B. Security and insecurity are contrasted here. (Smith)

1. The man who walks uprightly, with integrity, has nothing to hide or fear and the Lord is his shield. (See Smith.)




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a. Proverbs 2:7, He stores up sound wisdom for the upright; He is a shield to those who walk uprightly; (NKJV)

C. “He that walks in innocence walks securely; . . .” (Keil-Delitzsch commentary on the Old Testament via Coffman)

II. But he who perverts his ways (deals in crooked practices) will become known (be found out, exposed, put to shame).

A. “. . .but he that goeth in secret ways is known” for what he is. (Keil-Delitzsch via Coffman) B. Hypocrisy or deceit leads to fear of detection, Clarke noted.

Proverbs 10:10, He who winks with the eye causes trouble, But a prating fool will fall. (NKJ) I. He who winks (maliciously) with the eye causes trouble (grief), . . .

A. Winking the eye (closing the eye deceitfully) causes trouble – but overtly bragging about wrongdoing will produce one’s demise, death. B. Guilelessness and craftiness are here contrasted. (Smith) C. Smith wrote, “The winking of the eye here . . .is a sign of craft, malice and complicity with other wicked comrades.”

1. Proverbs 6:13, He winks with his eyes, He shuffles his feet, He points with his fingers; (NKJV)




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2. Reference is made here, Bland wrote, to deceptive, insincere, and hypocritical communication.

a. Proverbs 4:24-25, Put away from you a deceitful mouth, And put perverse lips far from you. Let your eyes look straight ahead, And your eyelids look right before you. (NKJV) b. Proverbs 5:3-4, For the lips of an immoral woman drip honey, And her mouth is smoother than oil; But in the end she is bitter as wormwood, Sharp as a two-edged sword. (NKJV)

II. But a prating (chattering) fool will fall (come to ruin).

A. The blabbering fool, Smith tells us, is even more dangerous than the malicious, cunning plotter.

1. Proverbs 10:8b, But a prating fool will fall. (NKJV)

B. “The underhanded deceiver (he that winks) and the blabber-mouth fool alike bring sorrow.” (Coffman)

1. This proverb is not antithetical, but the parts are complimentary, show resemblance. (See Albert Barnes via Coffman.)

Proverbs 10:11, The mouth of the righteous is a well of life, But violence covers the mouth of the wicked. (NKJ) I. The mouth of the righteous is a well (fountain) of life, . . .




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A. The conversation with a righteous person is a drink of fresh cool water, but the words of the wicked conceal evil intentions. (Hight) B. Here, Smith noted, enlivening and deadly speech are contrasted. C. The speech of the righteous is a (well) source of life.

1. Psalm 36:9, For with You is the fountain of life; In Your light we see light. (NKJV) 2. Jeremiah 2:13, “ For My people have committed two evils: They have forsaken Me, the fountain of living waters, And hewn themselves cisterns—broken cisterns that can hold no water. (NKJV) 3. Proverbs 13:14, The law of the wise is a fountain of life, To turn one away from the snares of death. (NKJV) 4. Proverbs 18:4, The words of a man’s mouth are deep waters; The wellspring of wisdom is a flowing brook. (NKJV)

II. But violence covers (overwhelms) the mouth of the wicked.

A. “The mouth of the wicked conceals violence.” (verse 6)

1. The wicked conceal the true intent of their words, Smith wrote.




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2. “. . .a bad man’s words bring down sorrow and punishment on himself.” (The Pulpit Commentary reads.)

B. This phrase is also found in 6b.

Proverbs 10:12, Hatred stirs up strife, But love covers all sins. (NKJV) I. Hatred stirs up strife (dissension), . . .

A. Hatred can never bring about anything good. (Hight)

1. In fact, we are commanded to love our enemies.

a. Matthew 5:44, But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you, (NKJV)

2. 1 John 3:15 equates hating to murder.

a. 1 John 3:15, Whoever hates his brother is a murderer, and you know that no murderer has eternal life abiding in him. (NKJV)

B. Quarrelsomeness and amiability are here contrasted. (Smith) C. Hatred magnifies and manufactures faults which lead to strife and conflict. (See Smith.) D. Hate stirs up strife, “seeks for occasions to provoke enmity,” Clarke wrote.




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1. Proverbs 6:14, Perversity is in his heart, He devises evil continually, He sows discord. (NKJV)

II. But love covers all sins (wrongs).

A. Love can turn a sinner away from error. (Hight)

1. In 1 Peter 4:8b, Peter quotes this passage in his plea for us to have love for one another.

B. Love overlooks faults, covers a multitude of transgres-sions.

1. When this scribe was well into adulthood, he told his mother, “I am sorry for all the trouble I caused you when I was a teenager,” to which she replied, “I don’t remember any trouble you ever caused me.”

a. Love! Absolutely beautiful! b. Proverbs 12:16, A fool’s wrath is known at once, But a prudent man covers shame. (NKJV) c. Proverbs 19:11, The discretion of a man makes him slow to anger, And his glory is to overlook a transgression. (NKJV d. Proverbs 17:9, He who covers a transgres-sion seeks love, But he who repeats a matter separates friends. (NKJV)




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e. Proverbs 16:6, In mercy and truth Atone-ment is provided for iniquity; And by the fear of the LORD one departs from evil. (NKJV) f. Proverbs 25:21-22, If your enemy is hungry, give him bread to eat; And if he is thirsty, give him water to drink; For so you will heap coals of fire on his head, And the LORD will reward you. (NKJV) g. James 5:20, let him know that he who turns a sinner from the error of his way will save a soul from death and cover a multitude of sins. (NKJV) h. 1 Peter 4:8, And above all things have fer-vent love for one another, for “love will cover a multitude of sins.” (NKJV) i. 1 Corinthians 13:4, Love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up; (NKJV)

2. “The truly wise person seeks not to inflame, but to bring about reconciliation,” Bland wrote.

C. “. . .love conciliates; removes aggravations; puts the best construction on every thing; and pours water, not oil, upon the flame,” Clarke wrote.

1. In regard to wrongs, love causes a person to act as if he were blind and deaf in regard to injustices. (See The Pulpit commentary.)




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The Wise and the Foolish

Proverbs 10:13-21

Proverbs 10:13, Wisdom is found on the lips of him who has understanding, But a rod is for the back of him who is devoid of understanding. (NKJ) I. Wisdom is found on the lips of (the discerning) and him who has understanding, . . .

A. The wise son has wisdom and understanding, whereas the foolish son requires the “rod of correction.” (Hight)

1. Proverbs 22:15, Foolishness is bound up in the heart of a child; The rod of correction will drive it far from him. (NKJV)

B. Wisdom, understanding and prudent speech provide self-direction in the paths of righteousness for those who possess these qualities. C. “If your mind is enlightened, wisdom will flow into your words, and so into the lives of others; . . .” (Tyndale Old Testament Commentaries via Coffman) D. “The man of understanding is discreet in speech, and does not cause trouble by rash or foolish words,” The Pulpit Commentary reads.

II. But a rod is for the back of him who is devoid of understanding (judgment).




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A. Those who do not have understanding must be forced to walk in ways that are right (legal). B. “. . .but if your mind is closed, God will deal with you, but by force.” (Tyndale Old Testament Commentaries via Coffman)

1. Psalm 32:8-9, I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will guide you with My eye. Do not be like the horse or like the mule, Which have no understanding, Which must be harnessed with bit and bridle, Else they will not come near you. (NKJV) 2. Proverbs 19:29, Judgments are prepared for scoffers, And beatings for the backs of fools. (NKJV) 3. Coffman wrote, “The ‘rod’ is a reference to corporal punishment by brutal scourgings which were inflicted upon offenders in ancient societies.” 4. Proverbs 26:3, A whip for the horse, A bridle for the donkey, And a rod for the fool’s back. (NKJV)

C. Clarke stated, “He that can learn, and will not learn, should be made to learn.”

Proverbs 10:14, Wise people store up knowledge, But the mouth of the foolish is near destruction. (NKJ) I. Wise people store up knowledge, . . .




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A. The wise are storing up understanding – willing to listen and take in advice. (Hight) B. Wise people do not brag about their accomplishments, and they store knowledge and information for use at opportune moments for wholesome purposes. C. Moffatt via Coffman wrote, “Sensible men are reticent, . .” D. “Think much, speak little, and always think before you speak. This will promote your own peace and that of your neighbors,” Clarke advised. E. Wise people store up knowledge, knowing it is a great treasure, and keep this knowledge available in time of need.

1. Proverbs 12:23, A prudent man conceals knowledge, But the heart of fools proclaims foolishness. (NKJV) 2. Proverbs 14:33, Wisdom rests in the heart of him who has understanding, But what is in the heart of fools is made known. (NKJV) 3. Matthew 7:6, “Do not give what is holy to the dogs; nor cast your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet, and turn and tear you in pieces. (NKJV) 4. Matthew 13:52, Then He said to them, “Therefore every scribe instructed concerning the kingdom of heaven is like a householder who brings out of his treasure things new and old.” (NKJV)




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II. But the mouth of the foolish is near destruction (invites ruin).

A. However, the fool continually babbles while teetering on his own downfall. (Hight)

1. Ecclesiastes 10:13, The words of his mouth begin with foolishness, And the end of his talk is raving madness. (NKJV)

B. “The fool does not weigh his words. He blurts out statements which may do considerable harm either to himself or to others,” Smith wrote.

1. The fool does not store up knowledge, profit by previous experiences. (See Bland.)

C. “. . .but a fool’s babbling will bring trouble down,” Moffatt via Coffman concluded.

1. “Near destruction” carries the meaning of “imminent destruction,” The Pulpit Commentary reads.

Note: Proverbs 10:15-16, Bland wrote, are a proverb pair contrasting righteousness and wickedness, wealth (which may include more than material wealth) and poverty. Pairing is frequently observed in Proverbs, especially in chapters 10 and 11. Proverbs 10:15, The rich man’s wealth is his strong city; The destruction of the poor is their poverty. (NKJV) I. The rich man’s wealth is his (fortified) strong city; . . .

A. Remember the rich has become wealthy because of diligence, which is his strength. (Hight)




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B. “The rich man’s wealth is a help in many ways, his protection against many troubles in life,” Smith stated.

1. Ecclesiastes 7:12, For wisdom is a defense as money is a defense, But the excellence of knowledge is that wisdom gives life to those who have it. (NKJV) 2. “Wealth is not evil in itself. It has distinct advantages,” Smith wrote.

C. Coffman wrote, “The grand emphasis throughout Proverbs is altogether worldly, material, and economic. Riches and poverty are viewed as the opposite poles of successful and unsuccessful lives.”

II. The destruction of the poor is their poverty (poverty is the ruin of the poor).

A. But the poor, who has become so due to slothfulness, will be destroyed. (Hight) B. Poverty “puts a person at a disadvantage and exposes him to even worse misfortune,” Smith reminds us.

1. Smith concluded, “There is nothing desirable about being poor.” 2. The Pulpit Commentary states that “poor” here implies weakness and inability to help one’s self. 3. Until Christ came, the poor were disparaged, disdained and may, in some cases, regrettably continue to be unappreciated.




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a. Luke 6:20, Then He lifted up His eyes toward His disciples, and said: “ Blessed are you poor,For yours is the kingdom of God. (NKJV)

Proverbs 10:16, The labor of the righteous leads to life, The wages of the wicked to sin. (NKJ) I. The labor (wages) of the righteous leads to (brings them) life, .

A. Honest labor by the righteous is life. (Hight)

1. Proverbs 11:19, As righteousness leads to life, So he who pursues evil pursues it to his own death. (NKJV)

B. Smith wrote, “Earnings from honest toil are devoted to procuring the necessities of life for a person and his family.”

1. It is also true that righteousness leads to eternal life.

C. The Good News Bible via Coffman reads, “The reward for doing good is life, . . .” D. The righteous work to provide for their own needs and the needs of the deserving poor. (See Clarke.)

1. The Pulpit Commentary states, “Honest labor brings its own reward in the blessing’s of God and a long and peaceful life.”

II. The wages (income) of the wicked (brings them, leads) to sin (punishment).




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A. However, the wicked will take even what they have justly earned and use it for sin. (Hight) B. “Money which is dishonestly obtained is often squandered in vice which leads only to death,” Smith wrote.

1. Wickedness also leads to eternal destruction! 2. Romans 6:20-23, For when you were slaves of sin, you were free in regard to righteousness. What fruit did you have then in the things of which you are now ashamed? For the end of those things is death. But now having been set free from sin, and having become slaves of God, you have your fruit to holiness, and the end, everlasting life. For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. (NKJV)

C. “. . .but sin leads only to more sin,” Coffman quoting The Good News Bible concluded. D. The wicked spend their wages on selfish pursuits, riot and excess, with no concern for the needs of the less fortunate. (See Clarke.)

Proverbs 10:17, He who keeps instruction is in the way of life, But he who refuses correction goes astray. (NKJV) I. He who keeps instruction (heeds discipline) is in the way of life (shows the way to life), . . .

A. The wise receive and heed correction and gain understanding, but the fool thinks himself above correction and falls prey to his own ignorance. (Hight)




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B. Discipline is essential for walking in the path of life. (See Smith.)

1. Smith also observed that the disciplined person who walks in the path of life has wholesome influence on and sets a good example for others.

C. “The truly religious man accumulates knowledge that he may better know how to live for God, and how to do the most good among men,” Clarke concluded. D. There is a way of life and a way of death!

1. In which way are you walking?

a. The way in which we walk determines our happiness or sadness in this world and our destinies in the world to come!

II. But he who refuses (ignores) correction goes astray (leads others astray).

A. The other side of this principle is also true; that is, an undisciplined person is a bad influence on others and leads them astray. (See Smith.) B. The Bible is replete with examples of people who refused correction, and paid the price.

Proverbs 10:18, Whoever hides hatred has lying lips, And whoever spreads slander is a fool. (NKJ) I. Whoever hides (conceals) hatred has lying lips, . . .




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A. Lying, gossip, slander – to be involved in these sins is to play the fool. B. This behavior is hypocritical and involves pretending friendship in speech while hiding an underlying hatred. (Smith)

1. Many “good church people” “gossip and slander” behind their “friends’ backs” while pretending to be dealing “honestly and uprightly” with them when talking with them face to face. (See Coffman.)

C. The evil doer lies to himself and others claiming no wrong has been done or blaming others for the wrongs committed.

1. “I didn’t do it. It was not my fault,” they claim.

II. And whoever spreads (utters) slander is a fool.

A. The person who engages in slander is a fool, morally defective, brainless, Smith stated.

Proverbs 10:19, In the multitude of words sin is not lacking, But he who restrains his lips is wise. (NKJV) I. In the multitude of words (incessant talking) sin is not lacking (absent), . . .

A. Be careful what you say! (Hight)

1. Sometimes it is better just to be quiet rather than speak before you think. (Hight)




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a. James warns about the tongue and its use in James 3:6, And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity. The tongue is so set among our members that it defiles the whole body, and sets on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire by hell. (NKJV)

B. “The more one talks, the greater the risk of saying what is inappropriate,” Smith wrote.

1. Matthew 12:36, But I say to you that for every idle word men may speak, they will give account of it in the day of judgment. (NKJV) 2. James 1:26, If anyone among you thinks he is religious, and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his own heart, this one’s religion is useless. (NKJV) 3. James 3:2, For we all stumble in many things. If anyone does not stumble in word, he is a perfect man, able also to bridle the whole body. (NKJV)

C. Those who constantly talk are not interested in the needs of others or what others have to say.

1. Incessant talkers are poor listeners! 2. People should not talk too much! (Coffman)

II. But he who restrains his lips is wise.

A. Since everyone will be required to give account for every idol word spoken, the wise person will be very careful of everything he says.




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B. We are to guard our tongues.

1. James 3:1-13, My brethren, let not many of you become teachers, knowing that we shall receive a stricter judgment. For we all stumble in many things. If anyone does not stumble in word, he is a perfect man, able also to bridle the whole body. Indeed, we put bits in horses’ mouths that they may obey us, and we turn their whole body. Look also at ships: although they are so large and are driven by fierce winds, they are turned by a very small rudder wherever the pilot desires. Even so the tongue is a little member and boasts great things. See how great a forest a little fire kindles! And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity. The tongue is so set among our members that it defiles the whole body, and sets on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire by hell. For every kind of beast and bird, of reptile and creature of the sea, is tamed and has been tamed by mankind. But no man can tame the tongue. It is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison. With it we bless our God and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in the similitude of God. Out of the same mouth proceed blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not to be so. Does a spring send forth fresh water and bitter from the same opening? Can a fig tree, my brethren, bear olives, or a grapevine bear figs? Thus no spring yields both salt water and fresh. Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show by good conduct that his works are done in the meekness of wisdom. (NKJV)




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2. Ecclesiastes 5:1-7, Walk prudently when you go to the house of God; and draw near to hear rather than to give the sacrifice of fools, for they do not know that they do evil. Do not be rash with your mouth, And let not your heart utter anything hastily before God. For God is in heaven, and you on earth; Therefore let your words be few. For a dream comes through much activity, And a fool’s voice is known by his many words. Walk prudently when you go to the house of God; and draw near to hear rather than to give the sacrifice of fools, for they do not know that they do evil. Do not be rash with your mouth, And let not your heart utter anything hastily before God. For God is in heaven, and you on earth; Therefore let your words be few. For a dream comes through much activity, And a fool’s voice is known by his many words. When you make a vow to God, do not delay to pay it; For He has no pleasure in fools. Pay what you have vowed—Better not to vow than to vow and not pay. Do not let your mouth cause your flesh to sin, nor say before the messenger of God that it was an error. Why should God be angry at your excuse and destroy the work of your hands? For in the multitude of dreams and many words there is also vanity. But fear God. When you make a vow to God, do not delay to pay it; For He has no pleasure in fools. Pay what you have vowed—Better not to vow than to vow and not pay. Do not let your mouth cause your flesh to sin, nor say before the messenger of God that it was an error. Why should God be angry at your excuse and destroy the work of your hands? For in the multitude of dreams and many words there is also vanity. But fear God. (NKJV)




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3. Proverbs 17:27-28, He who has knowledge spares his words, And a man of understanding is of a calm spirit. Even a fool is counted wise when he holds his peace; When he shuts his lips, he is considered perceptive. (NKJV) 4. Proverbs 13:3, He who guards his mouth preserves his life, But he who opens wide his lips shall have destruction. (NKJV)

Proverbs 10:20, The tongue of the righteous is choice silver; The heart of the wicked is worth little. (NKJ) I. The tongue of the righteous is choice (purified by fire) silver (silver free of dross, impurities); . . .

A. Righteous people speak words worth hearing and saying. (Hight)

1. These are comforting and uplifting words. (Hight)

a. James 5:11, Indeed we count them blessed who endure. You have heard of the perseverance of Job and seen the end intended by the Lord—that the Lord is very compassionate and merciful.

B. The speech of the righteous is pure and sincere, of great value like silver purified by the furnace of all impurities. (See Bland.)

II. The heart of the wicked is worth little.




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A. However, the thoughts of a foolish and wicked person are near rubbish. B. Smith explained, “On the other hand, ‘the heart of the wicked is of little worth,’ i.e., like some common metal which has little value,” which is full of dross and impurities. C. “Sinful persons make a great show on the outside, but there’s nothing within them that’s worth anything!” (Preacher’s Homiletic Commentary via Coffman) D. Those who are “worth little” brag the most regarding their abilities and value.

1. Not everything a person says about himself is to be believed!

Proverbs 10:21, The lips of the righteous feed many, But fools die for lack of wisdom. (NKJ) I. The lips of the righteous feed (nourish) man, . . .

A. Again the word of the righteous can help others, whereas, the fool can not even keep himself from self-destruction. (Hight) B. Some hold that this means the prayers of the righteous benefit many while others hold that this refers to the teachings of the righteous providing nourishment for those who hear them. Smith wrote.

1. John 6:27, Do not labor for the food which perishes, but for the food which endures to everlasting life, which the Son of Man will give you,




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because God the Father has set His seal on Him.” (NKJV) 2. Ecclesiastes 12:11, The words of the wise are like goads, and the words of scholars are like well-driven nails, given by one Shepherd. (NKJV) 3. Jeremiah 3:15, And I will give you shepherds according to My heart, who will feed you with knowledge and understanding. (NKJV)

II. But fools die for lack of wisdom (literally heart, judgment).

A. Fools have no wisdom with which to feed themselves or others. (See Smith.)

1. “They eventually die because of the lack of spiritual nourishment,” Smith wrote. 2. The natural end of a foolish life devoid of wisdom is death, judgment, destruction!

Proverbs 10:22, The blessing of the LORD makes one rich, And He adds no sorrow with it. (NKJ) I. The blessing of the LORD (brings wealth) makes one rich, . . .

A. The Lord only gives good gifts (James 1:17); therefore, any sorrow that accompanies riches is self-inflicted. (Hight)

1. James 1:17, Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning. (NKJV)




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2. 1 Timothy 6:10, “for the love of money is the root of all kinds of evil.” (NKJV) 3. Ecclesiastes 5:18-20, Here is what I have seen: It is good and fitting for one to eat and drink, and to enjoy the good of all his labor in which he toils under the sun all the days of his life which God gives him; for it is his heritage. As for every man to whom God has given riches and wealth, and given him power to eat of it, to receive his heritage and rejoice in his labor—this is the gift of God. For he will not dwell unduly on the days of his life, because God keeps him busy with the joy of his heart. (NKJV)

B. Wealth originates with God and is bestowed on the worthy, righteous without the anxieties which accompany ill-gotten gain, Smith explained. C. Verses 22-25, Bland wrote, “. . .continue to emphasize the fundamentals of wisdom. Those who are righteous experience security and the blessings of the Lord. The wicked experience punishment and destruction.” D. Coffman stated, quoting the Preacher’s Homiletic Commentary, “When sorrow comes to men who have been enriched by God, it springs from some other source than that of the riches.”

II. And He adds no sorrow (no trouble) to/with it (God’s blessings).




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A. God’s blessings come to the righteous without negative concomitants. B. As in the case of Solomon, Coffman reminded us, Solomon’s troubles were the result of his sins, not the result of his righteousness.

Note: Smith wrote that verses 23-32 contrast the wicked and the righteous with their respective fates being set forth. Proverbs 10:23, To do evil is like sport to a fool, But a man of understanding has wisdom. (NKJ) I. To do evil is like sport to a fool (a fool finds pleasure in evil conduct), . . .

A. Causing problems is fun and games for the evil person, but the wise know how to stay away from such calamity. (Hight) B. The wicked regard sin as a little, inconsequential matter.

1. The wicked enjoy sin and regard it as a joking matter, fun. 2. The consciences of the wicked does not bother them, Smith rightly concluded.

II. But a man of understanding has (delight in ) wisdom.

A. On the other hand, “wisdom” is the delight of a “man of discernment,” Smith stated.




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B. Smith wrote, “The wise man finds his refreshment in living a wise and prudent life, which is . . .easy and . . . pleasant to him. . .” C. The Pulpit Commentary states, “. . .the wise man finds his refreshment in living a wise and prudent life.”

Proverbs 10:24, The fear of the wicked will come upon him, And the desire of the righteous will be granted. (NKJ) I. The fear of the wicked will come upon him (what the wicked dreads will overtake him); . . .

A. The wicked tries to fulfill his desires through sin – which only leaves him empty, whereas righteous desires are granted by God. (Hight) B. The wicked may think of sin as an inconsequential thing, but they know sin has its price and dread its consequences which they know will come upon them. (See Smith.)

1. Proverbs 1:24-27, Because I have called and you refused, I have stretched out my hand and no one regarded, Because you disdained all my counsel, And would have none of my rebuke, I also will laugh at your calamity; I will mock when your terror comes, When your terror comes like a storm, And your destruction comes like a whirlwind, When distress and anguish come upon you. (NKJV

C. Coffman quoted The Interpreter’s Bible as saying, “the fear which evil men inspire in others is that which will come upon them.”




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D. Clarke wrote, “The wicked person is full of fears and alarms; and all that he has dreaded and more than he has dreaded, shall come upon him.”

II. And the desire of the righteous will be granted (what the righteous desire will be granted).

A. The righteous are rewarded for their godliness often in this world and most definitely in eternity.

Proverbs 10:25, When the whirlwind passes by, the wicked is no more, But the righteous has an everlasting foundation. (NKJ) I. When the whirlwind (storm) passes by, the wicked (is gone) is no more, . . .

A. This verse has a clear connection to Christ’s parable of the wise and foolish builders. (Hight)

1. Matthew 7:24-27, “Therefore whoever hears these sayings of Mine, and does them, I will liken him to a wise man who built his house on the rock: and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it did not fall, for it was founded on the rock. “But everyone who hears these sayings of Mine, and does not do them, will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand: and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it fell. And great was its fall.” (NKJV)

B. The wicked will be utterly destroyed!




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C. Wickedness destroys nations! D. “As tornadoes that sweep every thing away before them; so shall the wrath of God sweep away the wicked; . . “ Clarke wrote. E. Destruction often comes upon the wicked quickly and unexpectedly!

1. Isaiah 17:13-14, The nations will rush like the rushing of many waters; But God will rebuke them and they will flee far away, And be chased like the chaff of the mountains before the wind, Like a rolling thing before the whirlwind. Then behold, at eventide, trouble! And before the morning, he is no more. This is the portion of those who plunder us, And the lot of those who rob us. (NKJV) 2. Job 21:18, They are like straw before the wind, And like chaff that a storm carries away. (NKJV)

II. But the righteous has an everlasting foundation (firm basis forever).

A. Without God, there is no strong foundation on which to build ones’ life. (Hight) B. The righteous stand forever come what may! C. Ten (10) righteous people would have spared Sodom and Gomorrah from destruction!




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D. “The righteous, being built on the eternal foundation, shall never be shaken,” Clarke stated.

1. Proverbs 10:30, The righteous will never be removed, But the wicked will not inhabit the earth. (NKJV) 2. Psalm 125:1, Those who trust in the LORD Are like Mount Zion, Which cannot be moved, but abides forever. (NKJV)

Proverbs 10:26, As vinegar to the teeth and smoke to the eyes, So is the lazy man to those who send him. (NKJ) I. As vinegar to the teeth and smoke to the eyes, . . .

A. Vinegar and smoke are irritating to the teeth and eyes respectively just as a lazy worker is irritating to his employer and fellow employees or as a lazy son is upsetting to his father.

1. Psalm 69:21, Those who trust in the LORD Are like Mount Zion, Which cannot be moved, but abides forever. (NKJV) 2. Ezekiel 18:2, “What do you mean when you use this proverb concerning the land of Israel, saying: ‘The fathers have eaten sour grapes, And the chil-dren’s teeth are set on edge’? (NKJV)

II. So is the lazy (sluggard) man to those who send him.

A. A lazy person, a sluggard, causes grief to those associated with him, those who “send” him.




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1. Bland observed that the term sluggard appears fourteen (14) times in the book of Proverbs and only once in the rest of the Old Testament.

a. Ecclesiastes 10:18, Because of laziness the building decays, And through idleness of hands the house leaks. (NKJV) b. “The sages were concerned about the destruc-tive results of indolence,” Bland wrote.

Proverbs 10:27, The fear of the LORD prolongs days, But the years of the wicked will be shortened. (NKJ) I. The fear of the LORD prolongs days (adds length to life), . . .

A. Righteous living produces fullness of life, but evil deeds and ways will cut short a life. (Hight) B. Do you want to live a long life:

1. Live righteously!

a. Proverbs 1:7, The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge, But fools despise wisdom and instruction. (NKJV) b. Proverbs 9:10-11, “ The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, And the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding. For by me your days will be multiplied, And years of life will be added to you. (NKJV)




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c. Proverbs 3:1-2, My son, do not forget my law, But let your heart keep my commands; For length of days and long life And peace they will add to you. (NKJV) d. Proverbs 14:27, The fear of the LORD is a fountain of life, To turn one away from the snares of death. (NKJV)

2. Fear the Lord!

II. But the years of the wicked will be shortened (cut short).

A. Smith wrote, “On the other hand, ‘the years of the wicked shall be shortened’ by his lack of self-control or because he is victimized by an evil associate.” B. All of us can recall many lives which were shortened by sin, drunken driving, drug addiction, adulterers shot by jealous spouses, criminals executed, ad infinitum.

1. Psalm 55:23, But You, O God, shall bring them down to the pit of destruction; Bloodthirsty and deceitful men shall not live out half their days; But I will trust in You. (NKJV) 2. Ecclesiastes 7:17, Do not be overly wicked, Nor be foolish: Why should you die before your time? (NKJV)

Proverbs 10:28, The hope of the righteous will be gladness, But the expectation of the wicked will perish. (NKJ)




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I. The hope (prospect, expectation) of the righteous will be gladness (joy), . . .

A. The righteous have true hope for that which is to come, but the wicked can only possess temporal things that will eventually pass away into nothing. (Hight) B. The hope of the righteous produces gladness and joy because they have full confidence that the things for which they hope will be received.

1. The hope of heaven produces gladness and joy for the righteous.

Note: Proverbs presents choices “between two ways of life, the way of the righteous and the way of the wicked,” Bland wrote. “The choice one makes has far reaching consequences. There are clear boundaries of right and wrong.” II. But the expectation (hopes) of the wicked will perish (come to nothing).

A. The things for which the wicked hope will not materialize. (See Smith.) B. The hopes of the wicked will not be realized, materialize, come to fruition.

1. Proverbs 11:7, When a wicked man dies, his expectation will perish, And the hope of the unjust perishes. (NKJV) 2. Job 8:13, So are the paths of all who forget God; And the hope of the hypocrite shall perish, (NKJV)




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3. Psalm 112:10, The wicked will see it and be grieved; He will gnash his teeth and melt away; The desire of the wicked shall perish. (NKJV)

Proverbs 10:29, The way of the LORD is strength for the upright, But destruction will come to the workers of iniquity. (NKJV) I. The way of the LORD is (a fortress, refuge) strength for the upright (righteous), . . .

A. The righteous will stand in the strength of the Lord, the same strength that will destroy and eternally punish those who deny him. (Hight)

1. This is shown in the parable of the talents in Matthew 25:14-30.

a. Matthew 25:14-30, “For the kingdom of heaven is like a man traveling to a far country, who called his own servants and delivered his goods to them. And to one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one, to each according to his own ability; and immediately he went on a journey. Then he who had received the five talents went and traded with them, and made another five talents. And likewise he who had received two gained two more also. But he who had received one went and dug in the ground, and hid his lord’s money. After a long time the lord of those servants came and settled accounts with them. “So he who had received five talents came and




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brought five other talents, saying, ‘Lord, you delivered to me five talents; look, I have gained five more talents besides them.’ His lord said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant; you were faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord.’ He also who had received two talents came and said, ‘Lord, you delivered to me two talents; look, I have gained two more talents besides them.’ His lord said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant; you have been faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord.’“Then he who had received the one talent came and said, ‘Lord, I knew you to be a hard man, reaping where you have not sown, and gathering where you have not scattered seed. And I was afraid, and went and hid your talent in the ground. Look, there you have what is yours.’ “But his lord answered and said to him, ‘You wicked and lazy servant, you knew that I reap where I have not sown, and gather where I have not scattered seed. So you ought to have deposited my money with the bankers, and at my coming I would have received back my own with interest. So take the talent from him, and give it to him who has ten talents. ‘For to everyone who has, more will be given, and he will have abundance; but from him who does not have, even what he has will be taken away. And cast the unprofitable servant into the outer darkness. There will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’ (NKJV)




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b. 1 Peter 3:13, And who is he who will harm you if you become followers of what is good? (NKJV)

B. Righteousness is a strong protection and a safe refuge for those who walk in the way of the Lord. (Coffman quoting the Keil-Delitzsch Commentary on the Old Testament.)

1. Isaiah 40:31, But those who wait on the LORD Shall renew their strength; They shall mount up with wings like eagles, They shall run and not be weary, They shall walk and not faint. (NKJV)

C. The “way of the Lord” is the way in which God has commanded us to walk, live.

1. Psalm 25:12, Who is the man that fears the LORD? Him shall He teach in the way He chooses. (NKJV) 2. Psalm 119:27, Make me understand the way of Your precepts; So shall I meditate on Your wonderful works. (NKJV) 3. Matthew 22:16, And they sent to Him their disciples with the Herodians, saying, “Teacher, we know that You are true, and teach the way of God in truth; nor do You care about anyone, for You do not regard the person of men. (NKJV) 4. John 14:6, Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me. (NKJV)




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II. But destruction will come to the workers of iniquity (but the way of the Lord is the ruin of those who do evil).

A. The way of the Lord is the ruin of those who do evil because, as Smith wrote, “They abandon (the Lord’s way) path and consequently incur devastating punishment.”

1. Proverbs 21:15, It is a joy for the just to do justice, But destruction will come to the workers of iniquity. (NKJV) 2. John 9:39, And Jesus said, “For judgment I have come into this world, that those who do not see may see, and that those who see may be made blind.” (NKJV) 3. 2 Corinthians 2:15-16, For we are to God the fragrance of Christ among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing. To the one we are the aroma of death leading to death, and to the other the aroma of life leading to life. And who is sufficient for these things? (NKJV)

B. It was never God’s purpose for evil to exist.

1. God works to eradicate evil from the world. 2. Evil doers will be destroyed in eternal hell fire! 3. All evil doers are losers! (Coffman)

Proverbs 10:30, The righteous will never be removed, But the wicked will not inhabit the earth. (NKJV)




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I. The righteous will never be removed (uprooted), . . .

A. God’s people, no matter how few, will not be erased from the earth and those who oppress them will not overrun the earth. (Hight) B. The righteous will never be moved from the way of God, certainly not, Coffman stated, from the new heaven and the new earth.

1. 2 Peter 3:13, Nevertheless we, according to His promise, look for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells. (NKJV)

C. “The righteous will never be removed,” Clarke explained, “because he is built on the eternal foundation.”

1. Proverbs 2:21-22, For the upright will dwell in the land, And the blameless will remain in it; But the wicked will be cut off from the earth, And the unfaithful will be uprooted from it. (NKJV) 2. Proverbs 12:3, 21, A man is not established by wickedness, But the root of the righteous cannot be moved. No grave trouble will overtake the righteous, But the wicked shall be filled with evil. (NKJV) 3. Psalm 37:29, The righteous shall inherit the land, And dwell in it forever. (NKJV) 4. 1 Timothy 4:8, For bodily exercise profits a little, but godliness is profitable for all things, having promise of the life that now is and of that which is to come. (NKJV)




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II. But the wicked will not inhabit the earth (remain in the land).

A. Leviticus 26:33, I will scatter you among the nations and draw out a sword after you; your land shall be desolate and your cities waste. (NKJV) B. Deuteronomy 4:27, And the LORD will scatter you among the peoples, and you will be left few in number among the nations where the LORD will drive you. (NKJV) C. Isaiah 22:17, Indeed, the LORD will throw you away violently, O mighty man, And will surely seize you. (NKJV)

Proverbs 10:31, The mouth of the righteous brings forth wisdom, But the perverse tongue will be cut out. (NKJV) I. The mouth of the righteous brings forth wisdom, . . .

A. We will be known for our words – either wise and righteous or foolish and perverse. (Hight) B. “Good people say wise things, . . .” (Coffman quoting the Easy to Read Version of the Bible).

1. Hebrews 13:15-16, Therefore by Him let us continually offer the sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of our lips, giving thanks to His name. But do not forget to do good and to share, for with such sacrifices God is well pleased. (NKJV)




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2. Psalm 37:30, The mouth of the righteous speaks wisdom, And his tongue talks of justice. (NKJV)

II. But the perverse (froward) tongue will be cut out!

A. The latter part of this verse refers to an actual punishment of the time – which was cutting off the tongue of an irreverent servant. (Hight) B. Matthew 12:36-37, But I say to you that for every idle word men may speak, they will give account of it in the day of judgment. or by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned.” (NKJV) C. “. . .people will stop listening to a person that says things that bring trouble.” (Coffman quoting the Easy to Read Version of the Bible.)

1. Coffman also understands the part of the parable as a reference to the ancient custom of literally cutting off the tongue of certain disrespectful servants, “blasphemy, swearing and such like,” Clarke added.

D. The froward, perverse tongue speaks only what is evil.

1. Proverbs 2:12, 14, To deliver you from the way of evil, From the man who speaks perverse things, To deliver you from the way of evil, From the man who speaks perverse things, (NKJV) 2. Proverbs 8:13, The fear of the LORD is to hate evil; Pride and arrogance and the evil way And the perverse mouth I hate. (NKJV)




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Proverbs 10:32, The lips of the righteous know what is acceptable, But the mouth of the wicked what is perverse. (NKJV) I. The lips of the righteous know what is acceptable, . . .

A. Righteous people speak good and acceptable things. (Hight) B. Righteous people know and speak what is acceptable, discreet, appropriate with God and man.

1. Ephesians 4:29, Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth, but what is good for necessary edification, that it may impart grace to the hearers. (NKJV)

II. But the mouth of the wicked knows (only) what is perverse.

A. Wicked people can only speak perverted things, for it is all they know. (Hight)

1. Matthew 12:34, Brood of vipers! How can you, being evil, speak good things? For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks. (NKJV)

B. The wicked person knows and speaks what is perverse.

Conclusion: I. Proverbs 10 is a chapter of remarkable contrasts among which are the following:

A. Wise son, glad father; Foolish son, grieving mother.




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B. Wickedness; righteousness. C. Slack hand, poverty; Diligent hand, wealth. D. Blessed righteous; Violence covers the wicked. E. Wicked rot; Wise obey. F. Fools fall; Integrity walks securely. D. Deceit causes trouble; Prating fools fall. H. Hatred stirs up strife; Love covers all sins. I. Wisdom and understanding; Punishment and absence of understanding. J. Wisdom and knowledge; Foolishness and destruction. K. Righteous labor leads to life; Wicked wages are sin. L. Et. al.




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Questions

on

Proverbs 10:1-32

(Questions 1-14 by Hight; Questions 15-70 by Sewell.)

1. How can these ancient sayings be important to our modern world? _______________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ 2. What is the true difference between riches gained through wicked means and those gained by righteous living? ___________ ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ 3. What is the Bible’s solution for preventing laziness? _________ ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________




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4. The wicked are continually involved in violence – what warning is given to those who continually live this way? _______________ ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ 5. Hatred causes all kinds of problems. Explain why the apostle John says hating your brother is just like murder. ______________ ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ 6. Love is the opposite of hate and even “covers” sin. How can this be? _______________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ 7. This proverb distinguishes between the rich and poor who have achieved such status because of their own doing. What advice can we take from this comparison? ____________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________




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8. Contrast the words of a righteous and wise person with that of a foolish and wicked one. __________________________________ ______________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ 9. How can sorrow be attached to riches that God intends as a blessing? ______________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ 10. Compare/contrast the lives of the wicked and the righteous in the time of “storms.” ____________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ 11. Why can the wicked never truly receive the things which they seek or expect? _________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________




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12. How does the parable of the talents (Matthew 25:14-30) demonstrate the difference between the “way of the Lord” and the way of “workers of iniquity”? __________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ 13. Our conversation can let others know quickly if we are wise or foolish. Lying and other unsavory language will catch up with those who use them. How can we distinguish between the foolish and the wise through their conversation? _____________________ ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ 14. How will the actions of a wise person differ from those of a fool? _________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ 15. In what way(s) can it be said that a new division of the book of Proverbs begins at chapter 10? ____________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________




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16. How does a wise son make a glad father? _________________ ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ 17. How does a foolish son cause his mother grief? ____________ ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ 18. Define and illustrate “antithetical characteristics.” __________ ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ 19. Many of the ____________________ are _________________ of __________________ ____________________ to which there may be _____________________ _________________________. 20. About ____________________ proverbs in chapters 10-15 are based on the ________________ - ____________________ formula and about ____________________________ proverbs are ____________________ - ____________________ based. 21. ____________________ profits ________________________. _______________________ delivers from __________________.




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22. Have there ever been any really poor righteous people? _____________________ If so, does this contradict verse 3? Explain your answer. ____________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ 23. Do you agree with Smith that the wicked are never satisfied, that they experience no real enjoyment out of what they crave? ___ _________________ Explain your answer. __________________ ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ 24. What does the Bible say about laziness? Is laziness a sin? ____ ______________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ 25. In achieving success in life, how important is timing? _______ ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ 26. “____________________” and “____________________” are contrasted in verse 6; __________________________ come on




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the __________________ while ___________________ awaits the ____________________. 27. In your experience, how have the righteous and wicked been remembered? __________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ 28. _________________ and __________________ are contrasted in verse 8. 29. The ________________________ ______________________, _____________________ cannot __________________ anything while he is _______________ ________________, ____________ _________________, and _________________ to _____________ to _____________________ ____________________. 30. The man who ____________________ __________________, with _________________, has nothing to ___________________ or __________________ while __________________________ or ______________________ leads to ______________________ of ______________________. 31. In verse 10a reference is made to _______________________, _________________ and _________________ _______________ which causes _____________________. 32. The __________________ of the _____________________ is a (_________________) __________________ of _____________ while a __________________ man’s _______________________




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being down ___________________ and __________________ on himself. 33. _______________ __________________ up ______________, looks for ______________________ to _____________________ _________________, but __________________ _____________ all ______________________, causes a person to act as if he were ___________________ and __________________________ in regard to ____________________. 34. The man of __________________ is ____________________ in ____________________, and does not cause _______________ by ___________________ or ________________ _____________ while those who do not have ______________________ must be ____________________ to ___________________ in ways that are ___________________ (____________________). 35. _________________ _______________ do not ____________ about their __________________, and they store ______________ and _________________ for use at _________________________ __________________ for ________________________________. 36. __________________ ________________, _______________ ____________________, and always ___________________ before you _________________. This will __________________ your own _________________ and that of your ______________. 37. The __________________ does not __________________ his _______________________. He _______________________ out _________________ which may do considerable ______________ to _____________________ or to _____________________.




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38. How can it be said that a rich man’s wealth is his fortified, strong city? ____________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ 39. Explain how poverty contributes to the destruction of those who are poor. __________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ 40. The ____________________ ___________________ to provide for their __________________ ________________ and the ____________________ of the _________________________ ___________________ while _______________________ which is ________________________ _____________________ is often ____________________ in __________________________ which leads only to ______________________. 41. What is meant by “the way of life?” _____________________ ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________




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42. The _______________ in which we _____________________ determines our _____________________ or _________________ in this ____________________ and our _____________________ in the _________________ to ______________________. 43. Many “____________________ ________________________ ________________________” “________________________ and __________________” behind their “__________________’s ___________________” while pretending to be dealing “________________________ and ________________________” with them when ________________________________ with them ______________________ to ___________________________. Whoever spreads, utters ______________________________ is a _______________________. 44. Those who ___________________ ______________________ are not interested in the ________________ of ________________ or what __________________ have to ______________________. ____________________ ______________________________ are _____________________ ________________________! 45. Since ____________________ will be __________________ to give account for ___________________ __________________ ____________________________ ______________________, the _____________________ ________________________ will be very ___________________ of _________________________ he ________________________. 46. What is “choice” silver? _______________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________




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47. The ___________________ of the ____________________ is _____________________ and _________________________, like _____________________ ___________________________ by the _____________________ of all __________________________. 48. How much is the heart of the wicked worth? ______________ ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ 49. How do the lips of the righteous feed many? ______________ ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ 50. Give examples of fools who have died for lack of wisdom. ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ 51. Contrast blessings bestowed by the Lord and “blessings” achieved by sin? How do their effects on their possessors differ? _ ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________




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52. A ___________________ finds _____________________ in ________________________ ________________________. The ______________________ regard ______________________ as a _____________________, ________________________ matter. The _________________ _________________ _______________ and regard it as a ___________________ ___________________. A __________________ of ________________ ______________ in _______________________. 53. The __________________ person is ____________________ of ____________________ and _________________________; and all he has _____________________ shall _______________ upon him. 54. On the other hand, the _____________________________ are ___________________ for their _____________________ often in this ____________________ and most ____________________ in _____________________. 55. The ______________________ will be __________________ as by a ___________________. ____________________ often comes on the ___________________ and ___________________. 56. What is the everlasting foundation on which the righteous stand? ________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________




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57. As ____________________ to the ____________________ and ____________________ to the eyes, so is the _____________. ___________________________ to those who send him. How are these things comparable? _________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ 58. How does the fear of the Lord contribute to long life? _______ ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ 59. How can sin shorten a person’s life? _____________________ ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ 60. Does righteousness ever shorten life? Does sin ever prolong life? If so, tell why and give examples. _____________________ ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________




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61. For what do the righteous hope? For what do the wicked look forward? Whose hopes will be realized and whose will not? Why is this the case? _________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ 62. Why, in what ways, is the way of the Lord strength for the righteous and the ruin of the workers of iniquity? ______________ ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ 63. Were the righteous ever removed from the promised land? ___ If so, does this contradict verse 30? Why or why not? __________ ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ 64. When were the wicked exiled from the land? What did Moses say about the wicked not inhabiting the land? _________________ ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________




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65. _________________ ______________ say _______________ ___________________. The _____________ ________________ will be ___________________ ______________________. 66. When and why were perverse tongues literally cut out? ______ ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ 67. The ___________________ of the ____________________ know what is _________________, but the __________________ of the wicked knows what is perverse. 68. List as many contrasts as possible which are found in Proverbs 10. ___________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ 69. What things, as stated in Proverbs 10, await, characterize the righteous? _____________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________




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70. What things, as stated in Proverbs 10, await, characterize the wicked? ______________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________



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