The fear of the Lord prolongs life, But the years of the wicked will be shortened.
Parallel translations
- WEB The fear of Yahweh prolongs days, but the years of the wicked shall be shortened.
- KJV The fear of the LORD prolongeth 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.
- 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 your days will be multiplied. The years of your life will be increased.
- Prov 3:2for length of days, and years of life, and peace, will they add to you.
- Ps 91:16I will satisfy him with long life, and show him my salvation.”
- Job 15:32–33It shall be accomplished before his time. His branch shall not be green.
- Ps 34:11–13Come, you children, listen to me. I will teach you the fear of Yahweh.
- Ps 21:4He asked life of you, you gave it to him, even length of days forever and ever.
- Job 22:15–16Will you keep the old way, which wicked men have trodden,
- Luke 12:20“But God said to him, ‘You foolish one, tonight your soul is required of you. The things which you have prepared — whose will they be?’
- Ps 55:23But you, God, will bring them down into the pit of destruction. Bloodthirsty and deceitful men shall not live out half their days, but I will trust in you.
- Prov 3:16Length of days is in her right hand. In her left hand are riches and honor.
- Eccl 7:17Don’t be too wicked, neither be foolish. Why should you die before your time?
- Jer 17:11As the partridge that sits on eggs which she has not laid, so is he who gets riches, and not by right; in the middle of his days they shall leave him, and at his end he 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.