Proverbs 10:12-16

The contrasts in Proverbs 10 continue with these maxims in verses 12-16:

"Hatred stirs up strife,
but love covers all offenses."

"On the lips of one who has understanding wisdom is found,
but a road is for the back of one who lacks sense."

"The wise lay up knowledge,
but the babbling of a fool brings ruin near."

"The wealth of the rich is their fortress,
the poverty of the poor is their ruin."

"The wage of the righteous leads to life,
the gain of the wicked to sin."

Again, the contrasts are between: (1) hatred and love; (2) the wise and the foolish; (3) godly speech and ungodly speech; (4) the rich and the poor; (5) the righteous and the wicked.

What are some of the great teachings suggested in these verses?

1. When there is division in a community, hatred of some human beings by other human beings is the cause. At the same time, the love of one or more human beings toward others creates an environment in which reconciliation and unity can occur. It is hypocritical for a person or a community to claim love for God and others, and be divided itself or be divided from others.
2. Verse 14b repeats the thought of verse 8b concerning "a babbling fool." There are those who love to talk, but in reality they have nothing wholesome and uplifting to say. However, those who are wise speak with intention, and their words edify and build up those who hear.
3. The meaning of verse 15 is difficult to determine. Could it mean something similar to Proverbs 30:7-9, which states that there is a great spiritual danger in being rich and in being poor: the rich are tempted to feel they are self-sufficient and do not need God, and the poor are tempted to feel they must steal in order to provide for themselves and their family.
4. Verse 16 affirms that when people enjoy prosperity, they may use it in one of two ways: a righteous person shares it with others and thereby honors God; a wicked person uses it selfishly to sin.