Proverbs 10:8 - Printer Friendly

ESV: The wise of heart will receive commandments, but a babbling fool will come to ruin.

NIV: The wise in heart accept commands, but a chattering fool comes to ruin.

NASB: The wise of heart will receive commands, But a babbling fool will come to ruin.

CSB: A wise heart accepts commands, but foolish lips will be destroyed.

NLT: The wise are glad to be instructed, but babbling fools fall flat on their faces.

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

NKJV: The wise in heart will receive commands, But a prating fool will fall.

The person who sincerely seeks wisdom is teachable. He recognizes that he does not know everything about everything. He longs for good counsel. By contrast, the unteachable person is coarse and hardened, so busy chattering that he doesn't take time to listen to wise counsel. As a result of his unwillingness to accept godly commandments, the "scoffer" (Proverbs 3:34) will come to a deplorable end of life.

Proverbs often contrasts the approach of those who sincerely desire wisdom to the attitude of those who refuse to learn (Proverbs 9:7–12). James 1:19 instructs us to "be quick to hear, slow to speak." The fact that we have two ears but only one mouth ought to remind us to heed James's instruction. When Jesus visited the home of Mary and Martha, Mary sat at His feet and listened to His teaching. When Martha complained that Mary wasn't helping her with serving, Jesus replied, "Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things, but one thing is necessary. Mary has chosen the good portion, which will not be taken away from her" (Luke 10:42).

Proverbs 10:6–10 contrasts the blessings of righteousness with the crooked lifestyle of the wicked. The righteous person is wise, whereas the wicked person is a fool. The righteous person blesses others, whereas the wicked person conceals violence and causes trouble.

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.

Accessed 5/7/2024 3:43:49 AM