Proverbs‬ ‭10

Proverbs 10 is full of contrasts between wise and foolish people and actions.

In this context, hatred suggests the rejection of the good order—the destruction of human relationships—causing the fragmentation of society.

On the extreme opposite end, love, in this context, suggests seeking the best for others—the greatest expression of ordered relationship.

Do you find yourself constantly in the midst of drama? Do you wonder why your relationships lack peace and stability? Maybe what lacks order lacks love. --- Hatred stirs up conflict, but love covers over all wrongs. Proverbs‬ ‭10:12‬ ‭| NIV‬‬

_________

Righteous = wisdom
Wicked = foolish

Journaling through, I circled traits of the righteous (wisdom) and underlined traits of the wicked (foolish).

In my reading, verse 29 stuck out to me: “The way of the Lord is a stronghold to the blameless, but destruction to evildoers.

Not only does wickedness and foolishness NOT get you a stronghold from the Lord, but it ALSO gets you destruction. It’s not even just one or the other, it’s one or death—the stakes are high. Which side do you want to land? --- The fear of the Lord prolongs life, but the years of the wicked will be short. The hope of the righteous brings joy, but the expectation of the wicked will perish. The way of the Lord is a stronghold to the blameless, but destruction to evildoers. The righteous will never be removed, but the wicked will not dwell in the land. The mouth of the righteous brings forth wisdom, but the perverse tongue will be cut off. The lips of the righteous know what is acceptable, but the mouth of the wicked, what is perverse. Proverbs‬ ‭10:27-32‬ ‭| ESV