Proverbs 10:27

The fear of the LORD prolongeth days: but the years of the wicked shall be shortened.

The fear of the Lord prolongeth days - namely, the days of the righteous, beyond the term of life assigned to others (note, ). The days of the righteous, by virtue of God's gift of eternal life, shall be forever.

But the years of the wicked shall be shortened - (.) Though the sinner's days sometimes seem 'prolonged,' they are at best but a 'shadow, because he feareth not before God.' In estimating length of years, we need to take into the account the eternal years which are before us (Ecclesiastes 8:12).