Proverbs 10:9
He that walketh uprightly walketh surely: but he that perverteth his ways shall be known.
Original Language Analysis
יֵ֣לֶךְ
walketh
H1980
יֵ֣לֶךְ
walketh
Strong's:
H1980
Word #:
1 of 7
to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)
בַּ֭תֹּם
uprightly
H8537
בַּ֭תֹּם
uprightly
Strong's:
H8537
Word #:
2 of 7
completeness; figuratively, prosperity; usually (morally) innocence
יֵ֣לֶךְ
walketh
H1980
יֵ֣לֶךְ
walketh
Strong's:
H1980
Word #:
3 of 7
to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)
בֶּ֑טַח
surely
H983
בֶּ֑טַח
surely
Strong's:
H983
Word #:
4 of 7
properly, a place of refuge; abstract, safety, both the fact (security) and the feeling (trust); often (adverb with or without preposition) safely
וּמְעַקֵּ֥שׁ
but he that perverteth
H6140
וּמְעַקֵּ֥שׁ
but he that perverteth
Strong's:
H6140
Word #:
5 of 7
to knot or distort; figuratively, to pervert (act or declare perverse)
Cross References
Proverbs 28:18Whoso walketh uprightly shall be saved: but he that is perverse in his ways shall fall at once.Matthew 10:26Fear them not therefore: for there is nothing covered, that shall not be revealed; and hid, that shall not be known.1 Timothy 5:25Likewise also the good works of some are manifest beforehand; and they that are otherwise cannot be hid.Psalms 84:11For the LORD God is a sun and shield: the LORD will give grace and glory: no good thing will he withhold from them that walk uprightly.1 Corinthians 4:5Therefore judge nothing before the time, until the Lord come, who both will bring to light the hidden things of darkness, and will make manifest the counsels of the hearts: and then shall every man have praise of God.Psalms 25:21Let integrity and uprightness preserve me; for I wait on thee.Psalms 23:4Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.Proverbs 17:20He that hath a froward heart findeth no good: and he that hath a perverse tongue falleth into mischief.Proverbs 3:23Then shalt thou walk in thy way safely, and thy foot shall not stumble.
Historical Context
City gates served as courts where hidden matters were exposed and judged. The upright could confidently face public scrutiny, while the perverse dreaded the day of reckoning.
Questions for Reflection
- What areas of your life would you fear being made public, indicating lack of integrity?
- How can you cultivate greater transparency and uprightness in all relationships?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
Integrity provides confident security, while perversion leads to exposure and shame. Walking uprightly means transparency before God and others—nothing to hide or fear being revealed. The perverse person's crookedness will eventually be known, demonstrating that secret sin becomes public shame.