Proverbs 10:28 kjv

The hope of the righteous shall be gladness: but the expectation of the wicked shall perish.

Proverbs 10:28 nkjv

The hope of the righteous will be gladness, But the expectation of the wicked will perish.

Proverbs 10:28 niv

The prospect of the righteous is joy, but the hopes of the wicked come to nothing.

Proverbs 10:28 esv

The hope of the righteous brings joy, but the expectation of the wicked will perish.

Proverbs 10:28 nlt

The hopes of the godly result in happiness,
but the expectations of the wicked come to nothing.

Proverbs 10 verses

Proverbs 10 28 Meaning

The hope that the righteous hold brings them joy, as it is founded on God's promises and righteousness, ensuring a favorable future and ultimate vindication. In stark contrast, the expectation or anticipation of the wicked will lead to disappointment, ruin, and ultimately perish, because their confidence is placed in unrighteousness, temporal gains, or their own fleeting devices.

Proverbs 10 28 Context

Proverbs chapter 10 marks a shift in the book, introducing shorter, two-line sayings that typically contrast righteousness and wickedness, or wisdom and folly. This structure, often antithetical parallelism, is common throughout much of the Proverbs. The general context of Proverbs 10:28 fits within this thematic framework, emphasizing the natural consequences of righteous and wicked living. It is a fundamental truth declared in ancient Israelite wisdom tradition: there is an ultimate moral order in the world upheld by God. For the original audience, who valued prosperity and a long life within the promised land as signs of God's favor, this verse affirmed that true, lasting hope and joy stemmed from faithfulness to the covenant, while unrighteous pursuits were ultimately fleeting and brought destruction. It subtly confronts any worldview that might suggest wealth or success gained by wickedness would last, or that trusting in oneself was preferable to trusting God.

Proverbs 10 28 Word analysis

• The hope (תּוֹחֶלֶת - tokhelet): This Hebrew term primarily means "hope," but carries connotations of expectation, assurance, and that which is awaited with confidence. For the righteous, this hope is rooted in God's faithfulness and promises, not in human strength or fleeting circumstances. It signifies a secure and ultimate trust.
• of the righteous (צַדִּיקִים - tsaddiqim): Plural of tsaddiq, meaning "just," "righteous," "innocent," or "those who are in right relationship with God and obedient to His commands." It implies moral integrity and faithfulness to God's covenant.
• brings joy (שִׂמְחָה - simkhah): This word signifies deep gladness, mirth, or rejoicing. The hope of the righteous isn't a mere wish but a solid expectation that results in internal joy and often outward expression, even amidst hardship, because of its sure foundation.
• but the expectation (תִּקְוַת - tiqvat): This is from tiqvah, also translated "hope," but in this contrasting clause, it highlights a crucial difference from tokhelet. While it can also mean hope, when contrasted with the hope of the righteous, tiqvah here suggests a hope or anticipation that is often more earthly, conditional, or self-reliant. It might be what the wicked "look forward to" or "trust in."
• of the wicked (רְשָׁעִים - resha'im): Plural of rasha, meaning "wicked," "guilty," "unrighteous," or "criminal." These are those who defy God's law, live immorally, and oppose righteousness.
• will perish (תֹאבֵד - toved): From the verb avad, meaning "to perish," "be lost," "be destroyed," "vanish." This term denotes absolute annihilation or complete failure. The expectation of the wicked is not just unfulfilled; it ceases to exist, showing its utter vanity and ultimate collapse.

Words-group analysis

• "The hope of the righteous brings joy": This phrase encapsulates the blessed assurance and positive outcome for those who walk in alignment with God. Their inner disposition is marked by a deep, enduring gladness, knowing their trust is well-placed and their future is secure in God.
• "but the expectation of the wicked will perish": This phrase delivers a strong pronouncement of ultimate futility and destruction for those who reject God's ways. Their confident projections, earthly designs, and even their very basis for living will collapse into nothingness, leading to profound disappointment and eternal ruin. The juxtaposition emphasizes divine justice and the clear moral paths laid out in God's wisdom.

Proverbs 10 28 Bonus section

This verse reflects the consistent emphasis in Proverbs on the long-term, spiritual, and ultimate consequences of present choices, rather than merely temporal success or failure. The "hope" of the righteous is not wishful thinking but a divinely granted assurance based on their covenant relationship with God. The New Testament profoundly elaborates on this, showing that the ultimate hope of the righteous believer is Christ Himself and the coming kingdom, promising resurrection, eternal life, and glorified existence, all sources of unfading joy (1 Pet 1:3-9; Titus 2:13). Conversely, the perishing of the wicked's expectation speaks to the spiritual emptiness of a life lived apart from God, foreshadowing final judgment and eternal separation. It's a statement not just of earthly consequences but of eschatological destiny, highlighting the difference between a joy rooted in God's everlasting faithfulness and the inevitable disillusionment of earthly ambitions.

Proverbs 10 28 Commentary

Proverbs 10:28 succinctly captures a fundamental biblical truth concerning divine retribution and destiny, characteristic of wisdom literature. It sets in sharp relief the contrasting outcomes for two distinct types of people: the righteous and the wicked. The righteous find their hope (which is also their object of trust and assurance) leading to joy because it is anchored in the unfailing character and promises of God. Their confidence is not in their own strength or fleeting worldly gains, but in the enduring faithfulness of the Lord, leading to true happiness and fulfillment, both now and in the ultimate future. Conversely, the wicked place their expectation in things devoid of eternal substance—their own cunning, wealth, power, or schemes—all of which are ultimately fragile and will collapse. Their "hope" is a counterfeit, and thus, it will utterly perish, bringing about ruin and deep disappointment rather than satisfaction. This verse serves as a powerful reminder that one's ultimate well-being is intrinsically linked to one's moral character and the object of their trust.