Proverbs 10:9 kjv
He that walketh uprightly walketh surely: but he that perverteth his ways shall be known.
Proverbs 10:9 nkjv
He who walks with integrity walks securely, But he who perverts his ways will become known.
Proverbs 10:9 niv
Whoever walks in integrity walks securely, but whoever takes crooked paths will be found out.
Proverbs 10:9 esv
Whoever walks in integrity walks securely, but he who makes his ways crooked will be found out.
Proverbs 10:9 nlt
People with integrity walk safely,
but those who follow crooked paths will be exposed.
Proverbs 10 9 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Psa 23:4 | Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil... | Integrity brings fearless security. |
| Psa 37:18 | The Lord knows the days of the blameless, and their inheritance will endure forever. | God's knowledge and eternal provision for the blameless. |
| Psa 37:37 | Consider the blameless, observe the upright; a future awaits those who bring peace. | Peace and future for the blameless. |
| Psa 112:7 | They will have no fear of bad news; their hearts are steadfast, trusting in the Lord. | Steadfast heart and security of the upright. |
| Psa 119:1 | Blessed are those whose ways are blameless, who walk according to the law of the Lord. | Blessedness of walking in God's law with integrity. |
| Prov 1:32 | For the waywardness of the simple will kill them, and the complacency of fools will destroy them. | Destruction follows deviation. |
| Prov 2:7 | He stores up sound wisdom for the upright; he is a shield to those who walk in integrity, | God's wisdom and protection for the upright. |
| Prov 4:18-19 | The path of the righteous is like the morning sun... but the way of the wicked is like deep darkness... | Contrasting clear path of righteous with obscure path of wicked. |
| Prov 11:3 | The integrity of the upright guides them, but the crookedness of the treacherous destroys them. | Integrity as a guide, crookedness as destroyer. |
| Prov 28:6 | Better a poor man who walks in integrity than a rich man whose ways are crooked. | Integrity valued above crooked wealth. |
| Job 4:6 | Is not your fear of God your confidence, and your blameless ways your hope? | Fear of God and blamelessness as confidence. |
| 1 Kgs 2:3 | and keep the charge of the Lord your God, to walk in his ways... | Charge to walk in God's ways (integrity). |
| Isa 33:15-16 | Whoever walks righteously and speaks what is right... will dwell on the heights... | Security and elevation for the righteous walker. |
| Rom 2:16 | ...on that day when, according to my gospel, God judges the secrets of men through Christ Jesus. | God's future judgment revealing all secrets. |
| Gal 6:7 | Do not be deceived: God is not mocked, for whatever one sows, that will he also reap. | Inevitable reaping of one's actions, including hidden ones. |
| Num 32:23 | But if you fail to do this, behold, you will be sinning against the Lord, and be sure your sin will find you out. | Direct warning that sin will be exposed. |
| Eccl 12:14 | For God will bring every deed into judgment, with every secret thing, whether good or evil. | God's comprehensive judgment of all deeds. |
| Luke 8:17 | For nothing is hidden that will not be made manifest, nor anything secret that will not be known and come to light. | Inevitability of hidden things becoming known. |
| 1 Tim 5:24-25 | The sins of some people are conspicuous, going on ahead to judgment, but for others they follow along... | Sins of some are evident, others are later revealed. |
| Psa 90:8 | You have set our iniquities before you, our secret sins in the light of your presence. | God sees all sins, even secret ones. |
| Prov 11:18 | The wicked earns deceptive wages, but one who sows righteousness gets a true reward. | Deceptive ways lead to false rewards. |
| Prov 20:17 | Bread gained by deceit is sweet to a man, but afterward his mouth will be full of gravel. | Initial sweetness of deceit, bitter consequence. |
| Jer 17:10 | “I the Lord search the heart and test the mind, to give every man according to his ways...” | God's deep knowledge of ways and subsequent recompense. |
Proverbs 10 verses
Proverbs 10 9 Meaning
Proverbs 10:9 states that a life characterized by integrity, lived in uprightness and honesty, ensures a secure and stable existence. In stark contrast, one who deviates into deceitful or dishonest practices will inevitably have their hidden actions revealed and their misconduct exposed. This proverb underscores a fundamental divine principle: the inherent consequence of one's moral choices on their well-being and reputation.
Proverbs 10 9 Context
Proverbs chapter 10 marks the beginning of the "proverbs of Solomon," a large collection (through chapter 22:16) characterized predominantly by antithetical parallelism. Each verse presents a contrast, highlighting two opposing behaviors or character traits and their corresponding outcomes. The chapter's primary focus is on the wisdom and folly, righteousness and wickedness, that shape daily life, emphasizing practical moral instruction. It underscores a divinely established moral order where choices have inherent consequences. Within this immediate context, Proverbs 10:9 stands as a succinct articulation of the principle that an honest life leads to security, while dishonesty inevitably results in exposure, resonating with the broader theme of justice and retribution prevalent throughout the book. There are no direct polemics here, but it implicitly contrasts the stability found in the fear of the Lord (integrity) with the instability of godless deceit, reflecting core Yahwistic ethical values.
Proverbs 10 9 Word analysis
- "Whoever walks": הוֹלֵךְ (holekh) - A participle indicating continuous action or a habitual mode of living. It suggests a journey or a way of life, emphasizing that integrity is not a singular act but a consistent pattern of behavior.
- "in integrity": בַּתֹּם (ba'tom) - From
תֹּם(tom), meaning completeness, soundness, blamelessness, honesty, sincerity, or innocence. It refers to moral uprightness and wholeheartedness, free from duplicity or corruption. It doesn't necessarily mean sinlessness, but a deep commitment to ethical rectitude and truthfulness in one's character and dealings. - "walks securely": יֵלֶךְ בֶּטַח (yelekh betach) -
יֵלֶךְ(yelekh) means "he walks" (same root asholekh), reiterating the concept of a chosen path.בֶּטַח(betach) signifies security, safety, confidence, or trust. This phrase denotes a life free from apprehension, living in confidence and peace because there is nothing hidden or dishonest to fear. - "but whoever takes crooked paths": וּמְעַקֵּשׁ דְּרָכָיו (u'me'aqesh derakhaw) -
וּמְעַקֵּשׁ(u'me'aqesh): A participle from the verbעָקַשׁ(aqash), meaning "to twist," "to make crooked," "to distort," or "to pervert." It implies deliberate actions of deception, dishonesty, or manipulation.דְּרָכָיו(derakhaw): "His paths" or "his ways." This refers to a person's conduct, actions, decisions, and lifestyle, which are characterized by distortion or perversion. The plural form indicates a pattern of such behavior.
- "will be found out": יִוָּדַע (yivada') - The Nifal stem of the verb
יָדַע(yada), "to know." In the Nifal, it means "to be known," "to become known," "to be revealed," or "to be exposed." This indicates an inevitable outcome, often implying that truth will ultimately surface, whether through human discovery or divine intervention.
Words-Group Analysis
- "Whoever walks in integrity" vs. "whoever takes crooked paths": These phrases set up a clear dichotomy of character and conduct. One describes a life characterized by consistent moral straightforwardness, while the other portrays a life of intentional deviance, deception, and perversion of truth. The contrast highlights the active choices individuals make regarding their moral bearing.
- "walks securely" vs. "will be found out": These are the direct, contrasting consequences of the paths chosen. "Walks securely" indicates a state of peace, stability, and freedom from fear that stems from an unburdened conscience and divine favor. "Will be found out" points to the unavoidable exposure and potential disgrace that accompanies deceitful living, emphasizing that the hidden works of darkness cannot remain concealed indefinitely.
Proverbs 10 9 Bonus section
The concept of "integrity" (תֹּם, tom) in Proverbs is deeply linked with "the fear of the Lord" (יִרְאַת יְהוָה, yir'at Yahweh), which the book often calls the "beginning of wisdom" (Prov 9:10). True integrity flows from a heart reverently submitted to God, making one's life align with divine truth and moral order. This makes the proverb's promise of security not merely a worldly sociological outcome, but a spiritual one, reflecting God's providential care for the upright. Furthermore, the inevitable "finding out" of crooked paths speaks to God's omnipresence and omniknowledge. Nothing is truly hidden from Him (Heb 4:13). This principle applies universally, across all cultures and times, because it is built into the moral framework established by the Creator. Even if human justice falters, divine justice ensures that all deeds, whether done in secret or in public, will eventually come to light (Eccl 12:14).
Proverbs 10 9 Commentary
Proverbs 10:9 succinctly presents a universal moral law embedded within God's created order: integrity begets security, while crookedness invites exposure. This isn't merely an observation but a divinely guaranteed principle. A person whose character is sound, honest, and morally consistent will experience a profound inner peace and a stable outward life. There is no constant fear of discovery or a hidden past to unravel, leading to genuine confidence and freedom. Conversely, one who engages in deceptive practices, whether subtle or overt, sets themselves on a trajectory towards inevitable revelation. This exposure can manifest in various ways: a human discovery, a natural consequence of their own convoluted actions, or ultimately, divine judgment. The proverb serves as both an assurance for the righteous and a sober warning for the wicked, reminding all that character, more than cleverness, dictates one's true security and lasting reputation in the eyes of God and others.