The fear of the LORD prolongeth days: but the years of the wicked shall be shortened.
Parallel translations
- WEB The fear of Yahweh prolongs days, but the years of the wicked shall be shortened.
- BSB The fear of the LORD prolongs life, but the years of the wicked will be cut short.
- NKJV The fear of the Lord prolongs days, But the years of the wicked will be shortened.
- NASB The fear of the Lord prolongs life, But the years of the wicked will be shortened.
- NLT Fear of the Lord lengthens one’s life, but the years of the wicked are cut short.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Quick answer
Reverent fear of the Lord lengthens life, while wickedness cuts it short. Living in awe of God leads to flourishing, but rebellion toward Him brings ruin.
Overview
This proverb expresses the general principle that reverence for God orders life toward blessing and longevity, while wickedness invites self-destruction. As wisdom literature it states a tendency, not an absolute promise for every case. The fullness of the life it points to is found in Christ, who gives eternal life to those who fear and trust God.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 12
- Prov 9:11For by me thy days shall be multiplied, and the years of thy life shall be increased.
- Prov 3:2For length of days, and long life, and peace, shall they add to thee.
- Ps 91:16With long life will I satisfy him, and shew him my salvation.
- Job 15:32–33It shall be accomplished before his time, and his branch shall not be green.
- Ps 34:11–13Come, ye children, hearken unto me: I will teach you the fear of the LORD.
- Ps 21:4He asked life of thee, and thou gavest it him, even length of days for ever and ever.
- Job 22:15–16Hast thou marked the old way which wicked men have trodden?
- Luke 12:20But God said unto him, Thou fool, this night thy soul shall be required of thee: then whose shall those things be, which thou hast provided?
- Ps 55:23But thou, O God, shalt bring them down into the pit of destruction: bloody and deceitful men shall not live out half their days; but I will trust in thee.
- Prov 3:16Length of days is in her right hand; and in her left hand riches and honour.
- Eccl 7:17Be not over much wicked, neither be thou foolish: why shouldest thou die before thy time?
- Jer 17:11As the partridge sitteth on eggs, and hatcheth them not; so he that getteth riches, and not by right, shall leave them in the midst of his days, and at his end shall be a fool.
Themes, concepts, people & topics
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Christ at the center
Wisdom personified, with God before creation and the agent of all things, anticipates Christ 'in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom' — the wisdom of God made flesh.
How Proverbs 10:27 points to him is part of the one story that runs through all Scripture — meet Jesus at the heart of the web, or follow a trail that traces him from Genesis to Revelation.
Original language
Each word below is tagged with its Strong’s number — tap one to see the underlying Hebrew word, its meaning, and every verse that uses it.