Amplified Bible
Proverbs 10:15
15The rich man’s wealth is his fortress; The ruin of the poor is their poverty.
Proverbs 10:15 in other versions
- King James Version (KJV)The rich man’s wealth is his strong city: the destruction of the poor is their poverty.
- New International Version (NIV)The wealth of the rich is their fortified city, but poverty is the ruin of the poor.
- English Standard Version (ESV)A rich man's wealth is his strong city; the poverty of the poor is their ruin.
- New King James Version (NKJV)The rich man’s wealth is his strong city; The destruction of the poor is their poverty.
Context of Proverbs 10:15
13On the lips of the discerning, [skillful and godly] wisdom is found, But discipline and the rod are for the back of the one who is without common sense and understanding. 14Wise men store up and treasure knowledge [in mind and heart], But with the mouth of the foolish, ruin is at hand. The rich man’s wealth is his fortress; The ruin of the poor is their poverty. 16The wages of the righteous [the upright, those in right standing with God] is [a worthwhile, meaningful] life, The income of the wicked, punishment. 17He who learns from instruction and correction is on the [right] path of life [and for others his example is a path toward wisdom and blessing], But he who ignores and refuses correction goes off course [and for others his example is a path toward sin and ruin].
Read all of Proverbs 10Proverbs 10:15 word by word
ה֣וֹן עָ֭שִׁיר קִרְיַ֣ת עֻזּ֑וֹ מְחִתַּ֖ת דַּלִּ֣ים רֵישָֽׁם׃Read the interlinear
Words taken from the KJV.
Cross-references for Proverbs 10:15
- Proverbs 18:11The rich man’s wealth is his strong city, And like a high wall [of protection] in his own imagination and conceit.
- Job 31:24“If I have put my trust and confidence in gold, Or have declared fine gold my hope and assurance,
- Psalms 49:6Even those who trust in and rely on their wealth And boast of the abundance of their riches?
- Psalms 52:7“Look, [this is] the man who would not make God his strength [his stronghold and fortress], But trusted in the abundance of his riches, Taking refuge in his wealth.”
- Ecclesiastes 7:12For wisdom is a protection even as money is a protection, But the [excellent] advantage of knowledge is that wisdom shields and preserves the lives of its possessors.
- Jeremiah 9:23Thus says the Lord, “Let not the one who is wise and skillful boast in his insight; let not the one who is mighty and powerful boast in his strength; let not the one who is rich boast in his [temporal satisfactions and earthly] abundance;
- Mark 10:24The disciples were amazed and bewildered by His words. But Jesus said to them again, “Children, how difficult it is [for those who place their hope and confidence in riches] to enter the kingdom of God!
- Luke 12:19And I will say to my soul, “Soul, you have many good things stored up, [enough] for many years; rest and relax, eat, drink and be merry (celebrate continually).” ’
- 1 Timothy 6:17As for the rich in this present world, instruct them not to be conceited and arrogant, nor to set their hope on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who richly and ceaselessly provides us with everything for our enjoyment.
- Proverbs 14:20The poor man is hated even by his neighbor, But those who love the rich are many.
- Proverbs 19:7All the brothers of a poor man hate him; How much more do his friends abandon him! He pursues them with words, but they are gone.
- Proverbs 22:22Do not rob the poor because he is poor [and defenseless], Nor crush the afflicted [by legal proceedings] at the gate [where the city court is held],
- Micah 2:1Woe (judgment is coming) to those who devise wickedness And plot evil on their beds! When morning comes, they practice evil Because it is in the power of their hands.
Commentaries on Proverbs 10:15
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 15The rich man's wealth is his strong city - Behold a mystery in providence; there is not a rich man on earth but becomes such by means of the poor! Property comes from the labor of the poor, and the king himself is served of the field. How unjust, diabolically so, is it to despise or oppress those by whose labor all property is acquired! The destruction of the poor is their poverty - A man in abject poverty never arises out of this pit. They have no…Read the comment
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 15Destruction - That which crushes, throws into ruins. Wealth secures its possessors against many dangers; poverty exposes men to worse evils than itself, meanness, servility, and cowardice. Below the surface there lies, it may be, a grave irony against the rich; see Proverbs 18:11.Read the comment
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 15Verse 15 This refers to the common mistakes both of rich and poor, as to their outward condition. Rich people's wealth exposes them to many dangers; while a poor man may live comfortably, if he is content, keeps a good conscience, and lives by faith.Read the comment
- Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 15While wealth can protect against problems, it can also cause them (Proverbs 13:8) and give a false sense of security (Proverbs 18:10–11).Read the comment
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 1515. Both by trusting in "uncertain riches" (1Ti 6:17), or by the evils of poverty (Pr 30:9), men, not fearing God, fall into dangers.Read the comment
Topics related to Proverbs 10:15
In the dictionaries
Commentaries on Proverbs 10
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
- Tyndale Open Study Notes
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
- Rashi on Tanakh
- Keil & Delitzsch Commentary
- John Wesley’s Notes
- Darby Translation Notes
- Geneva Bible Translation Notes
- Kingcomments
- Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
- Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
- Scofield Reference Notes, 1917 Edition
- Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
- EGW Writings
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