Proverbs 10:16 kjv

The labour of the righteous tendeth to life: the fruit of the wicked to sin.

Proverbs 10:16 nkjv

The labor of the righteous leads to life, The wages of the wicked to sin.

Proverbs 10:16 niv

The wages of the righteous is life, but the earnings of the wicked are sin and death.

Proverbs 10:16 esv

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

Proverbs 10:16 nlt

The earnings of the godly enhance their lives,
but evil people squander their money on sin.

Proverbs 10 verses

Proverbs 10 16 Meaning

The righteous person's active endeavors and work inherently lead to a full, prosperous, and flourishing life, encompassing well-being and blessing. Conversely, the gains or produce of the wicked person inevitably result in sin, spiritual corruption, or the consequences thereof, demonstrating the morally detrimental nature of their acquisitions and actions.

Proverbs 10 16 Context

Proverbs 10 marks the beginning of the "proverbs of Solomon," characterized largely by antithetical parallelism where two contrasting lines are placed side-by-side to highlight moral distinctions. This chapter focuses on the differences between the wise and the foolish, the righteous and the wicked, and the enduring consequences of their respective behaviors. Verse 16 fits within this thematic framework by illustrating how one's moral character fundamentally determines the outcome and intrinsic nature of their efforts and gains. Historically and culturally, wisdom literature provided guidance for living justly and prosperously within God's established moral order, emphasizing the divine recompense for both uprightness and transgression. This proverb challenges the prevalent worldly view that success or gain is inherently good, irrespective of how it's acquired, by asserting that the "fruit" of wickedness is inextricably linked to sin and its destructive consequences.

Proverbs 10 16 Word analysis

• Labor (פֻּעֲלַת - po'alath): This Hebrew term comes from the root פֹּעַל (po'al), signifying "work," "deed," "action," or "effect." It refers to the sum total of one's efforts, industry, activity, and even the gains produced by one's endeavors. It signifies diligence and application.
• Righteous (צַדִּיק - tsaddiq): Derived from צֶדֶק (tsedeq), meaning "righteousness" or "justice." A tsaddiq is a person who acts in conformity with God's moral law, upholding justice and maintaining a right relationship with Him. Their inner character is reflected in their upright conduct.
• Tendeth to life (לְחַיִּים - lekhayyim): The prefix לְ (le) means "to" or "for." Ḥayyim refers to "life" in its broadest and most holistic sense. In the biblical context, it signifies not merely biological existence, but well-being, spiritual vitality, peace, prosperity, joy, and ultimately, a blessed and enduring relationship with God. It contrasts with death, destruction, or emptiness.
• The fruit of (תְּבוּאַת - tevua'ath): This noun signifies "produce," "yield," "harvest," "income," or "gain." It refers to what is brought in or accumulated, particularly the result of effort or labor.
• Wicked (רָשָׁע - rasha'): This term describes one who is "ungodly," "guilty," "unrighteous," or "condemned." A rasha' actively goes against God's will, disregarding divine law and pursuing selfish or harmful paths, leading to moral corruption.
• To sin (לְחַטָּאת - lekhaṭtā’th): Again, the prefix לְ (le) means "to" or "for." Khaṭtā’th means "sin," "offense," or "transgression." Here, it indicates that the wicked person's gains either originate from sin, lead to further sinful behavior, are tainted by corruption, or ultimately result in the judgment and punishment due to sin. Their "fruit" is intrinsically linked to moral failure and spiritual decay.

• Words-group Analysis
• "The labor of the righteous tendeth to life": This phrase asserts that the efforts and achievements of a righteous person have inherent value and purpose. Their actions are not merely productive in a worldly sense but are imbued with God's blessing, leading to genuine flourishing, sustenance, and a full, meaningful existence. This "life" is comprehensive, touching on material well-being, spiritual vitality, and peace with God.
• "the fruit of the wicked to sin": In stark contrast, this phrase reveals the corrupted nature of the wicked's gains. What they acquire or produce, however successful it may appear externally, is ultimately "for sin." This means it may have been gained through sinful means, it contributes to further sin and wickedness, or it brings about the detrimental consequences of sin, ultimately leading to spiritual death or condemnation. Their "fruit" carries the seed of their own downfall.

Proverbs 10 16 Bonus section

The concept of "life" (khayyim) in the Old Testament, particularly as seen in Wisdom literature, is profoundly tied to a covenant relationship with God. It isn't just a measure of longevity but the very essence of true human flourishing, deeply contrasted with "death" which implies not just cessation but spiritual alienation, emptiness, and ultimately, divine judgment. Therefore, the "labor of the righteous tending to life" suggests a direct consequence of obedience and faithful living, securing God's blessing and active presence. The contrast with "the fruit of the wicked tending to sin" is a powerful reminder that while the wicked might achieve temporary prosperity or "fruit," such gains are fundamentally perverse; they contribute to the deepening of their sinful nature and invite divine disfavor and eventual ruin. This highlights that for biblical wisdom, the means and moral nature of one's gains are paramount, as they determine the true and lasting impact of their "fruit."

Proverbs 10 16 Commentary

Proverbs 10:16 profoundly articulates a foundational principle of biblical wisdom: one's character irrevocably shapes the ultimate outcome and nature of their deeds and possessions. The verse establishes an antithesis between the righteous and the wicked, not merely in their actions but in the intrinsic result of their actions. The labor of the righteous, which springs from a heart aligned with God's will, is inherently geared towards a holistic "life"—a vibrant, blessed, and fulfilling existence in every dimension. This "life" encompasses physical, mental, and spiritual flourishing, culminating in God's approval and favor. In opposition, the "fruit" or gains of the wicked, though they might appear successful or plentiful in the world, are intrinsically linked "to sin." This implies several layers: their acquisitions may be a result of sinful means, their prosperity could fuel further moral degradation, or their ultimate legacy is bound in guilt, condemnation, and spiritual decay. The verse warns against evaluating success purely by material gain, insisting instead on a divine moral economy where only righteousness produces true and lasting benefit, while wickedness, regardless of superficial triumph, inevitably leads to a cycle of sin and its destructive wages.