12 Hope deferred makes the heart sick,
But desire [a]fulfilled is a tree of life.
13 One who (A)despises the word will do badly,
But one who fears the commandment will be (B)rewarded.
14 The [b]teaching of the wise is a (C)fountain of life,
To turn aside from the (D)snares of death.
15 (E)Good understanding produces favor,
But the way of the treacherous is [c]their own disaster.
16 Every (F)prudent person acts with knowledge,
But a fool [d]displays foolishness.
17 A wicked messenger falls into adversity,
But (G)a faithful messenger brings healing.
18 Poverty and shame will come to one who (H)neglects [e]discipline,
But one who complies with rebuke will be honored.
19 Desire realized is sweet to the soul,
But it is an abomination to fools to turn away from evil.

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 13:12 Lit coming
  2. Proverbs 13:14 Or law
  3. Proverbs 13:15 Cf. LXX in destruction; MT constant
  4. Proverbs 13:16 Lit spreads out
  5. Proverbs 13:18 Or instruction

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