Proverbs 10:25 - Printer Friendly

ESV: When the tempest passes, the wicked is no more, but the righteous is established forever.

NIV: When the storm has swept by, the wicked are gone, but the righteous stand firm forever.

NASB: When the whirlwind passes, the wicked is no more, But the righteous has an everlasting foundation.

CSB: When the whirlwind passes, the wicked are no more, but the righteous are secure forever.

NLT: When the storms of life come, the wicked are whirled away, but the godly have a lasting foundation.

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

NKJV: When the whirlwind passes by, the wicked is no more, But the righteous has an everlasting foundation.

A "proverb," by definition, is a brief, general-case observation or commonsense teaching. Most are self-contained, but some harmonize with other ideas. This proverb closely connects to the one given in the prior verse (Proverbs 10:24). Solomon has already noted that participating in evil brings a person great risks, in this life, and condemnation in eternity (Proverbs 10:8–11).

In parallel with those earlier ideas, Solomon observes that "a tempest," suggesting a storm or disaster, destroys the wicked but it does not destroy the righteous. Taken in an earthly sense, this might imply that the risks taken by a life of sin and evil leave a person less likely to be helped or rescued during a crisis. Or, that a "storm" of opposition is more of a threat to those who live through lies and deception, whereas those who are honest and decent have less to fear.

Translations such as the NASB render this verse to say, "the righteous has an everlasting foundation." Scripture teaches that the life built by an unbeliever is like a house built on sand. When heavy rains pound it and a flood engulfs it, the house collapses; but the life of a righteous person is like a house built on a rock. Heavy rains and a rising flood cannot destroy it (Matthew 7:24–27). Whether spiritually or physically, living by godly truth is a more secure choice (Proverbs 10:27).

Alternatively, this reference to a tempest may be a figurative depiction of divine judgment. When God judges the wicked, they will not survive. They will be consigned to the lake of fire forever (Revelation 20:15). The righteous—those whose faith is anchored in Jesus—will not suffer a similar fate. They will never perish. Romans 8:1 states, "There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus." On the cross, Jesus was punished for the sins of the whole world (1 John 2:2), and "whoever believes in the Son has eternal life" (John 3:36).

This chapter begins 375 "proverbs," which are general-case lessons or observations. These wise remarks continue the discussion of wisdom and wickedness begun in chapters 1—9. Most of the verses in chapter 10 contain a sharp contrast, with the conjunction "but" separating the lines. Often, the subject changes from verse to verse. The contrasting subjects include sons, treasure, work ethic, reputation, relationships, success, and speech.

In Proverbs 7—9 Solomon contrasts wisdom and wickedness in the symbolic persons of Lady Wisdom and Woman Folly. He calls upon his sons, or students, to choose wisdom, and he points out the benefits of choosing wisdom and the disastrous results of choosing wickedness. Chapter 10 presents vivid contrasts between wisdom and wickedness in many of life's settings. These comparisons continue into chapter 11.

Proverbs is best understood in context with the books of Ecclesiastes and Job. In Proverbs, “wisdom” is given in short, simple, general terms. Ecclesiastes represents wisdom based on observation and experience. This often shows how the general principles of the book of Proverbs don’t apply in absolutely every circumstance. Job represents wisdom based on the experience of suffering and injustice. All three come to the conclusion that God does indeed know best, and the most sensible course of action is to follow His will.