12 Hope deferred makes the heart sick,
    (A)but a desire fulfilled is (B)a tree of life.
13 Whoever (C)despises (D)the word[a] brings destruction on himself,
    but he who reveres the commandment[b] will be (E)rewarded.
14 The teaching of the wise is (F)a fountain of life,
    that one may (G)turn away from the snares of death.
15 (H)Good sense wins (I)favor,
    but the way of the treacherous is their ruin.[c]
16 (J)Every prudent man acts with knowledge,
    (K)but a fool flaunts his folly.
17 A wicked messenger falls into trouble,
    but (L)a faithful envoy brings healing.

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Footnotes

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

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