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Proverbs 10:1-32 open_in_new
Here we reach the first collection of what were supposed to be Solomon's proverbs. Most of them consist of two lines parallel to each other. The parallelism is one of contrast, or agreement, or explanation, or of different persons and objects. It is impossible to trace any principle underlying the order in which the proverbs stand. Several of them are more or less exactly repeated in Proverbs 25-29.
The main subject, not treated continuously, but recurred to again and again, is the blessing which attends goodness and diligence, the penalty which follows sin and sloth.
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Proverbs 10:2 open_in_new
Treasures of wickedness] acquired by wrong-doing (Amos 3:10). In many synagogues this v. is inscribed over the alms-box. To the later Jews 'righteousness' meant almsgiving (Daniel 4:27; Tob 4:1; Tob 12:9; Matthew 6:1).
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Proverbs 10:4 open_in_new
To deal with a slack hand is to be lacking in energy.
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Proverbs 10:5 open_in_new
'Make hay while the sun shines.'
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Proverbs 10:7 open_in_new
'Only the ashes of the just
Smell sweet and blossom from the dust.'
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Proverbs 10:10 open_in_new
Winketh with the eye] i.e. to stir up by malicious hints. In the LXX the second half of the v. runs: 'but he that openly rebuketh maketh peace.'
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Proverbs 10:12 open_in_new
Love hides them from sight.
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Proverbs 10:14 open_in_new
Near destruction] destruction nigh at hand.
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Proverbs 10:16 open_in_new
The wealth earned by a good man will be rightly employed and therefore will bring him lasting gain, but revenue spent in self-indulgence and sin brings nothing but loss in the end.
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Proverbs 10:19 open_in_new
Simeon, son of Gamaliel, said: 'All my days I have grown up among the wise, and I have found nought of better service than silence... Whoso is profuse of words causes sin.'
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Proverbs 10:21 open_in_new
Feed] instruct.
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Proverbs 10:24 open_in_new
The fear of the wicked] that which he fears.
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Proverbs 10:25 open_in_new
The storm carries him completely away (Psalms 1:4).