Proverbs 13

Tree of Life Version

² From the fruit of a man’s mouth he enjoys good things,
but the treacherous crave violence.

³ He who watches his mouth protects his life,
but whoever opens wide his lips comes to ruin.

⁴ The slacker’s soul craves, yet has nothing,
but the diligent soul will be satisfied.

⁵ A righteous person hates lying,
but the wicked acts in shameful disgrace.
⁶ Righteousness guards one who walks in integrity,
but wickedness overthrows the sinner.

⁷ One pretends to be rich, yet has nothing;
another pretends to be poor, yet has great wealth.^[a]
8 A man’s riches may ransom his life,
but a poor person hears no threat.

⁹ The light of the righteous shines brightly.
The lamp of the wicked is snuffed out.

¹⁰ Arrogance yields nothing but strife.
Wisdom belongs to those who take advice.

¹¹ Wealth gained by fraud dwindles,
but he who gathers by labor increases it.

¹² Hope deferred makes the heart sick,
but longing fulfilled is a tree of life.
¹³ Whoever despises instruction will pay a penalty,
but whoever respects a mitzvah will be rewarded.
¹⁴ Wise instruction is a fountain of life,
turning one away from snares of death.
¹⁵ Good understanding wins favor,
but the way of the unfaithful is hard.
¹⁶ Everyone shrewd acts with knowledge,
but a fool flaunts folly.

¹⁹ A desire fulfilled is sweet to the soul,
but fools detest turning away from evil.
²⁰ He who walks with wise men is wise,
but a companion of fools suffers harm.

²¹ Misfortune pursues sinners,
but prosperity rewards the righteous.
²² A good man leaves an inheritance to his children’s children,
but a sinner’s wealth is stored up for the righteous.
²³ The fallow field of the poor yields much food,
but it is swept away by injustice.
²⁴ He who spares the rod hates his son,
but he who loves him is diligent with discipline.^[b]

²⁵ The righteous eats to his heart’s content,
but the belly of the wicked goes hungry.