Proverbs 13:12-25

English Standard Version

¹² Hope deferred makes the heart sick,
    ^(A)but a desire fulfilled is ^(B)a tree of life.
¹³ Whoever ^(C)despises ^(D)the word^[a] brings destruction on himself,
    but he who reveres the commandment^[b] will be ^(E)rewarded.
¹⁴ The teaching of the wise is ^(F)a fountain of life,
    that one may ^(G)turn away from the snares of death.
^15 (H)Good sense wins ^(I)favor,
    but the way of the treacherous is their ruin.^[c]
16 (J)Every prudent man acts with knowledge,
    ^(K)but a fool flaunts his folly.
¹⁷ A wicked messenger falls into trouble,
    but ^(L)a faithful envoy brings healing.
¹⁸ Poverty and disgrace come to him who ^(M)ignores instruction,
    ^(N)but whoever ^(O)heeds reproof is honored.
^19 (P)A desire fulfilled is sweet to the soul,
    but to turn away from evil is an abomination to fools.
²⁰ Whoever walks with the wise becomes wise,
    but the companion of fools will suffer harm.
^21 (Q)Disaster^[d] pursues sinners,
    ^(R)but the righteous are rewarded with good.
^22 (S)A good man leaves an inheritance to his children's children,
    but ^(T)the sinner's wealth is laid up for the righteous.
²³ The fallow ground of the poor would yield much food,
    but it is swept away through ^(U)injustice.
^24 (V)Whoever spares the rod hates his son,
    but he who loves him is diligent to discipline him.^[e]
25 (W)The righteous has enough to satisfy his appetite,
    but the belly of the wicked suffers want.