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A Wise Son Lives Righteously

13 A wise son listens to his father’s discipline,
    but a mocker does not listen to reprimands.
A person eats well as a result of his speaking ability,
    but the appetite of treacherous people craves violence.
Whoever controls his mouth protects his own life.
    Whoever has a big mouth comes to ruin.
A lazy person craves food and there is none,
    but the appetite of hard-working people is satisfied.
A righteous person hates lying,
    but a wicked person behaves with shame and disgrace.
Righteousness protects the honest way of life,
    but wickedness ruins a sacrifice for sin.

One person pretends to be rich but has nothing.
    Another pretends to be poor but has great wealth.
A person’s riches are the ransom for his life,
    but the poor person does not pay attention to threats.
The light of righteous people beams brightly,
    but the lamp of wicked people will be snuffed out.
10 Arrogance produces only quarreling,
    but those who take advice gain wisdom.
11 Wealth gained through injustice dwindles away,
    but whoever gathers little by little has plenty.
12 Delayed hope makes one sick at heart,
    but a fulfilled longing is a tree of life.
13 Whoever despises God’s words will pay the penalty,
    but the one who fears God’s commands will be rewarded.

14 The teachings of a wise person are a fountain of life
    to turn one away from the grasp of death.
15 Good sense brings favor,
    but the way of treacherous people is always the same.[a]
16 Any sensible person acts with knowledge,
    but a fool displays stupidity.
17 An undependable messenger gets into trouble,
    but a dependable envoy brings healing.
18 Poverty and shame come to a person who ignores discipline,
    but whoever pays attention to constructive criticism will be honored.

19 A fulfilled desire is sweet to the soul,
    but turning from evil is disgusting to fools.
20 Whoever walks with wise people will be wise,
    but whoever associates with fools will suffer.
21 Disaster hunts down sinners,
    but righteous people are rewarded with good.
22 Good people leave an inheritance to their grandchildren,
    but the wealth of sinners is stored away for a righteous person.

23 When poor people are able to plow, there is much food,
    but a person is swept away where there is no justice.
24 Whoever refuses to spank his son hates him,
    but whoever loves his son disciplines him from early on.
25 A righteous person eats to satisfy his appetite,
    but the bellies of wicked people are always empty.

Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 13:15 Masoretic Text; Greek “is their disaster.”

13 A wise son heeds his father’s instruction,
    but a mocker does not respond to rebukes.(A)

From the fruit of their lips people enjoy good things,(B)
    but the unfaithful have an appetite for violence.

Those who guard their lips(C) preserve their lives,(D)
    but those who speak rashly will come to ruin.(E)

A sluggard’s appetite is never filled,(F)
    but the desires of the diligent are fully satisfied.

The righteous hate what is false,(G)
    but the wicked make themselves a stench
    and bring shame on themselves.

Righteousness guards the person of integrity,
    but wickedness overthrows the sinner.(H)

One person pretends to be rich, yet has nothing;(I)
    another pretends to be poor, yet has great wealth.(J)

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

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

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

11 Dishonest money dwindles away,(N)
    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.(O)

13 Whoever scorns instruction will pay for it,(P)
    but whoever respects(Q) a command is rewarded.(R)

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

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(U) their folly.(V)

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

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

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

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

21 Trouble pursues the sinner,(AC)
    but the righteous(AD) are rewarded with good things.(AE)

22 A good person leaves an inheritance for their children’s children,
    but a sinner’s wealth is stored up for the righteous.(AF)

23 An unplowed field produces food for the poor,
    but injustice sweeps it away.

24 Whoever spares the rod(AG) hates their children,
    but the one who loves their children is careful to discipline(AH) them.(AI)

25 The righteous eat to their hearts’ content,
    but the stomach of the wicked goes hungry.(AJ)

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