13 A wise son heareth his father's instruction: but a scorner heareth not rebuke.

A man shall eat good by the fruit of his mouth: but the soul of the transgressors shall eat violence.

He that keepeth his mouth keepeth his life: but he that openeth wide his lips shall have destruction.

The soul of the sluggard desireth, and hath nothing: but the soul of the diligent shall be made fat.

A righteous man hateth lying: but a wicked man is loathsome, and cometh to shame.

Righteousness keepeth him that is upright in the way: but wickedness overthroweth the sinner.

There is that maketh himself rich, yet hath nothing: there is that maketh himself poor, yet hath great riches.

The ransom of a man's life are his riches: but the poor heareth not rebuke.

The light of the righteous rejoiceth: but the lamp of the wicked shall be put out.

10 Only by pride cometh contention: but with the well advised is wisdom.

11 Wealth gotten by vanity shall be diminished: but he that gathereth by labour shall increase.

12 Hope deferred maketh the heart sick: but when the desire cometh, it is a tree of life.

13 Whoso despiseth the word shall be destroyed: but he that feareth the commandment shall be rewarded.

14 The law of the wise is a fountain of life, to depart from the snares of death.

15 Good understanding giveth favour: but the way of transgressors is hard.

16 Every prudent man dealeth with knowledge: but a fool layeth open his folly.

17 A wicked messenger falleth into mischief: but a faithful ambassador is health.

18 Poverty and shame shall be to him that refuseth instruction: but he that regardeth reproof shall be honoured.

19 The desire accomplished is sweet to the soul: but it is abomination to fools to depart from evil.

20 He that walketh with wise men shall be wise: but a companion of fools shall be destroyed.

21 Evil pursueth sinners: but to the righteous good shall be repayed.

22 A good man leaveth an inheritance to his children's children: and the wealth of the sinner is laid up for the just.

23 Much food is in the tillage of the poor: but there is that is destroyed for want of judgment.

24 He that spareth his rod hateth his son: but he that loveth him chasteneth him betimes.

25 The righteous eateth to the satisfying of his soul: but the belly of the wicked shall want.

13 A wise son listens to[a] the discipline of his father,
    but a mocker doesn’t listen to correction.
People eat well from the fruit of their words,
    but the treacherous have an appetite only for violence.
People who watch their mouths guard their lives,
    but those who open their lips are ruined.
The lazy have strong desires but receive nothing;
    the appetite of the diligent is satisfied.
The righteous hate false words,
    but the wicked create disgust and scorn.
Righteousness guards the innocent on the path,
    but wickedness misleads sinners.
Some pretend to be rich but have nothing,
    while others pretend to be poor, but have great riches.
Wealth can ransom a person’s life,
    but the poor don’t even receive threats.
The light of the righteous rejoices,
    but the lamp of the wicked goes out.
10 The empty-headed cause conflict out of pride;
    those who take advice are wise.
11 Riches gotten quickly[b] will dwindle,
    but those who acquire them gradually become wealthy.
12 Hope delayed makes the heart sick;
    longing fulfilled is a tree of life.
13 Trouble will come on those who despise a word,
    but those who respect the commandment will be rewarded.
14 The teaching of the wise is a fountain of life,
    turning a person away from deathtraps.
15 Good insight brings favor,
    but the way of the faithless is their ruin.[c]
16 The prudent all act intelligently,
    but fools display their stupidity.
17 Wicked messengers fall into trouble,
    but a reliable one brings healing.
18 Poverty and shame come to those who don’t care about instruction;
    honor belongs to those who heed correction.
19 A desire fulfilled is pleasant,
    but fools find deviating from evil disgusting.
20 Walk with wise people and become wise;
    befriend fools and get in trouble.
21 Trouble pursues sinners,
    but good things reward the righteous.
22 Good people leave their grandchildren an inheritance,
    but the wealth of sinners is stored up for the righteous.
23 A poor person’s land might produce much food,
    but it is unjustly swept away.
24 Those who withhold the rod hate their children,
    but the one who loves them applies discipline.
25 The righteous eat their fill,
    but the wicked have empty stomachs.

Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 13:1 Heb lacks listens to.
  2. Proverbs 13:11 LXX; MT from meaninglessness
  3. Proverbs 13:15 LXX, Syr, Vulg; MT endures

13 A wise child accepts a parent’s discipline;[a]
    a mocker refuses to listen to correction.

Wise words will win you a good meal,
    but treacherous people have an appetite for violence.

Those who control their tongue will have a long life;
    opening your mouth can ruin everything.

Lazy people want much but get little,
    but those who work hard will prosper.

The godly hate lies;
    the wicked cause shame and disgrace.

Godliness guards the path of the blameless,
    but the evil are misled by sin.

Some who are poor pretend to be rich;
    others who are rich pretend to be poor.

The rich can pay a ransom for their lives,
    but the poor won’t even get threatened.

The life of the godly is full of light and joy,
    but the light of the wicked will be snuffed out.

10 Pride leads to conflict;
    those who take advice are wise.

11 Wealth from get-rich-quick schemes quickly disappears;
    wealth from hard work grows over time.

12 Hope deferred makes the heart sick,
    but a dream fulfilled is a tree of life.

13 People who despise advice are asking for trouble;
    those who respect a command will succeed.

14 The instruction of the wise is like a life-giving fountain;
    those who accept it avoid the snares of death.

15 A person with good sense is respected;
    a treacherous person is headed for destruction.[b]

16 Wise people think before they act;
    fools don’t—and even brag about their foolishness.

17 An unreliable messenger stumbles into trouble,
    but a reliable messenger brings healing.

18 If you ignore criticism, you will end in poverty and disgrace;
    if you accept correction, you will be honored.

19 It is pleasant to see dreams come true,
    but fools refuse to turn from evil to attain them.

20 Walk with the wise and become wise;
    associate with fools and get in trouble.

21 Trouble chases sinners,
    while blessings reward the righteous.

22 Good people leave an inheritance to their grandchildren,
    but the sinner’s wealth passes to the godly.

23 A poor person’s farm may produce much food,
    but injustice sweeps it all away.

24 Those who spare the rod of discipline hate their children.
    Those who love their children care enough to discipline them.

25 The godly eat to their hearts’ content,
    but the belly of the wicked goes hungry.

Footnotes

  1. 13:1 Hebrew A wise son accepts his father’s discipline.
  2. 13:15 As in Greek version; Hebrew reads the way of the treacherous is lasting.