Proverbs 13
World English Bible
13 A wise son listens to his father’s instruction,
but a scoffer doesn’t listen to rebuke.
2 By the fruit of his lips, a man enjoys good things,
but the unfaithful crave violence.
3 He who guards his mouth guards his soul.
One who opens wide his lips comes to ruin.
4 The soul of the sluggard desires, and has nothing,
but the desire of the diligent shall be fully satisfied.
5 A righteous man hates lies,
but a wicked man brings shame and disgrace.
6 Righteousness guards the way of integrity,
but wickedness overthrows the sinner.
7 There are some who pretend to be rich, yet have nothing.
There are some who pretend to be poor, yet have great wealth.
8 The ransom of a man’s life is his riches,
but the poor hear no threats.
9 The light of the righteous shines brightly,
but the lamp of the wicked is snuffed out.
10 Pride only breeds quarrels,
but wisdom is with people who take advice.
11 Wealth gained dishonestly dwindles away,
but he who gathers by hand makes it grow.
12 Hope deferred makes the heart sick,
but when longing is fulfilled, it is a tree of life.
13 Whoever despises instruction will pay for it,
but he who respects a command will be rewarded.
14 The teaching of the wise is a spring of life,
to turn from the snares of death.
15 Good understanding wins favor,
but the way of the unfaithful is hard.
16 Every prudent man acts from knowledge,
but a fool exposes folly.
17 A wicked messenger falls into trouble,
but a trustworthy envoy gains healing.
18 Poverty and shame come to him who refuses discipline,
but he who heeds correction shall be honored.
19 Longing fulfilled is sweet to the soul,
but fools detest turning from evil.
20 One who walks with wise men grows 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 the wealth of the sinner is stored for the righteous.
23 An abundance of food is in poor people’s fields,
but injustice sweeps it away.
24 One who spares the rod hates his son,
but one who loves him is careful to discipline him.
25 The righteous one eats to the satisfying of his soul,
but the belly of the wicked goes hungry.
Proverbs 13
Common English Bible
13 A wise son listens to[a] the discipline of his father,
but a mocker doesn’t listen to correction.
2 People eat well from the fruit of their words,
but the treacherous have an appetite only for violence.
3 People who watch their mouths guard their lives,
but those who open their lips are ruined.
4 The lazy have strong desires but receive nothing;
the appetite of the diligent is satisfied.
5 The righteous hate false words,
but the wicked create disgust and scorn.
6 Righteousness guards the innocent on the path,
but wickedness misleads sinners.
7 Some pretend to be rich but have nothing,
while others pretend to be poor, but have great riches.
8 Wealth can ransom a person’s life,
but the poor don’t even receive threats.
9 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
- Proverbs 13:1 Heb lacks listens to.
- Proverbs 13:11 LXX; MT from meaninglessness
- Proverbs 13:15 LXX, Syr, Vulg; MT endures
by Public Domain. The name "World English Bible" is trademarked.
Copyright © 2011 by Common English Bible