Proverbs 10 · John Wesley
3Of wickedness - Such as are got by any sort of wicked practices. Death - Often from temporal, and always from eternal death.
6Gathereth - The fruits of his field. In summer - In harvest. He that improved the opportunities of doing good to himself and others.
7Violence - Their own violence or injustice. This may be an allusion to the ancient custom of covering the mouths and faces of condemned malefactors.
9Who receive - Is ready to hear and obey the precepts of God and men. Fall - Into mischief.
10Surely - Or, securely, or confidently, as the word properly signifies; quietly resting upon God's favour and gracious providence for his protections. Known - His wickedness shall be publickly discovered.
11Winketh - That secretly designs mischief against others, as this phrase is used, Psal 35:19.
14Wisdom - This wisdom shews itself in his speech. A rod - Rebukes from God and men.
15Lay up - In their minds, to be brought forth upon fit occasions. Knowledge - Whereby they may be enabled to speak both what, and when it is seasonable. But - Fools are more forward to lay out than to lay up, and for want of knowledge speak much and foolishly, whereby they frequently bring destruction upon themselves.
16Wealth - It often redeems him from dangers and calamities. Poverty - Is the cause of their ruin.
17The labour - The fruit of his labour, to the preservation of this life, and obtaining eternal life. Fruit - The fruit of all their labour tends to sin, and serves only for fuel to mens pride and luxury.
19Lying lips - With flattering words. He here condemns two opposite vices, secret hatred, and manifest slander.
21Is - Of great worth and use. Heart - And consequently the tongue.
22Feed - By their wise discourses and counsels. Die - They have not wisdom to preserve themselves, much less to feed others.
27So - Unserviceable and vexatious.
29Gladness - Shall be accomplished, and turned into enjoyment.
30The way - The way of God's precepts. Strength - Gives strength, support, and protection.
31Never be removed - They shall live happily here, and eternally in heaven. The earth - They shall not have so much as a quiet abode upon earth; much less shall they have any possession in heaven.