Prov 10.16
16 The wages of the righteous is life,
The income of the wicked, punishment.
The Parts
Parallelism Examined |
|
16a |
16b |
|
wages |
income |
|
of the righteous |
of the wicked |
|
life |
punishment |
wicked – someone contrary to God’s character, ways, Word. This person would not hesitate to violate another person for selfish gain, e.g., financial, verbal integrity, false witness, social, personal.
righteous – (write your definition of “righteous” as you study this Proverb)
income – can mean product, result, fruit
wages – work, recompense, rewards, often used of that which comes from God, what you have coming!
References to consider:
Prov 21.10
10 The soul of the wicked desires evil;
His neighbor finds no favor in his eyes.
Prov 29.7
7 The righteous is concerned for the rights of the poor,
The wicked does not understand such concern.
Prov 12.26
26 The righteous is a guide to his neighbor,
But the way of the wicked leads them astray.
Prov 17.15
15 He who justifies the wicked and he who condemns the righteous,
Both of them alike are an abomination to the Lord.
Prov 17.2
2 A servant who acts wisely will rule over a son who acts shamefully,
And will share in the inheritance among brothers.
Prov 24.20
20 For there will be no future for the evil man;
The lamp of the wicked will be put out.
Righteous
Prov 21.3
3 To do righteousness and justice Is desired by the Lord more than sacrifice.
Prov 15.29
29 The Lord is far from the wicked,
But He hears the prayer of the righteous.
Prov 11.19
19 He who is steadfast in righteousness will attain to life,
And he who pursues evil will bring about his own death.
Prov 10.25
25 When the whirlwind passes, the wicked is no more,
But the righteous has an everlasting foundation.
Prov 12.3
3 A man will not be established by wickedness,
But the root of the righteous will not be moved.
Income
Prov 8.19
19 “My fruit is better than gold, even pure gold,
And my yield better than choicest silver.
Wages
Isa 40.10
10 Behold, the Lord God will come with might, With His arm ruling for Him. Behold, His reward is with Him And His recompense before Him.
Prov 11.18
18 The wicked earns deceptive wages,
But he who sows righteousness gets a true reward.
Isa 65.7
7 Both their own iniquities and the iniquities of their fathers together,” says the Lord. “Because they have burned incense on the mountains And scorned Me on the hills, Therefore I will measure their former work into their bosom.”
Psalm 109.20
20 Let this be the reward of my accusers from the Lord, And of those who speak evil against my soul.
Sharpening for my life today:
Considering the previous Proverb along with this one, while wealth can be a platform of ministry and a sense of provision and security, it is not the currency of life! Life comes by righteousness!
This gem of Proverbs lays out the currency of life! Real life comes from a moral choice, not physical, financial, technical, medical, political, military, etc.! Remember, even poverty can keep you from real life!
There is no doubt “what you sow, you reap”! So, we should be asking, “What is the return on the investments I’m making for life”?
Prov 30.7-9
7 Two things I asked of You, Do not refuse me before I die: 8 Keep deception and lies far from me, Give me neither poverty nor riches; Feed me with the food that is my portion, 9 That I not be full and deny You and say, “Who is the Lord?” Or that I not be in want and steal, And profane the name of my God.
