The ransom of a man's life is his wealth,
    but a poor man (A)hears no threat.
(B)The light of the righteous rejoices,
    but (C)the lamp of the wicked will be put out.
10 (D)By insolence comes nothing but strife,
    but with those who take advice is wisdom.
11 (E)Wealth gained hastily[a] will dwindle,
    but whoever gathers little by little will increase it.
12 Hope deferred makes the heart sick,
    (F)but a desire fulfilled is (G)a tree of life.
13 Whoever (H)despises (I)the word[b] brings destruction on himself,
    but he who reveres the commandment[c] will be (J)rewarded.
14 The teaching of the wise is (K)a fountain of life,
    that one may (L)turn away from the snares of death.
15 (M)Good sense wins (N)favor,
    but the way of the treacherous is their ruin.[d]
16 (O)Every prudent man acts with knowledge,
    (P)but a fool flaunts his folly.
17 A wicked messenger falls into trouble,
    but (Q)a faithful envoy brings healing.
18 Poverty and disgrace come to him who (R)ignores instruction,
    (S)but whoever (T)heeds reproof is honored.
19 (U)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 (V)Disaster[e] pursues sinners,
    (W)but the righteous are rewarded with good.

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 13:11 Or by fraud
  2. Proverbs 13:13 Or a word
  3. Proverbs 13:13 Or a commandment
  4. Proverbs 13:15 Probable reading (compare Septuagint, Syriac, Vulgate); Hebrew is rugged, or is an enduring rut
  5. Proverbs 13:21 Or Evil

A person’s riches may ransom their life,
    but the poor cannot respond to threatening rebukes.(A)

The light of the righteous shines brightly,
    but the lamp of the wicked is snuffed out.(B)

10 Where there is strife, there is pride,
    but wisdom is found in those who take advice.(C)

11 Dishonest money dwindles away,(D)
    but whoever gathers money little by little makes it grow.

12 Hope deferred makes the heart sick,
    but a longing fulfilled is a tree of life.(E)

13 Whoever scorns instruction will pay for it,(F)
    but whoever respects(G) a command is rewarded.(H)

14 The teaching of the wise is a fountain of life,(I)
    turning a person from the snares of death.(J)

15 Good judgment wins favor,
    but the way of the unfaithful leads to their destruction.[a]

16 All who are prudent act with[b] knowledge,
    but fools expose(K) their folly.(L)

17 A wicked messenger falls into trouble,(M)
    but a trustworthy envoy brings healing.(N)

18 Whoever disregards discipline comes to poverty and shame,(O)
    but whoever heeds correction is honored.(P)

19 A longing fulfilled is sweet to the soul,(Q)
    but fools detest turning from evil.

20 Walk with the wise and become wise,
    for a companion of fools suffers harm.(R)

21 Trouble pursues the sinner,(S)
    but the righteous(T) are rewarded with good things.(U)

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 13:15 Septuagint and Syriac; the meaning of the Hebrew for this phrase is uncertain.
  2. Proverbs 13:16 Or prudent protect themselves through