Proverbs 13
1599 Geneva Bible
13 1 A wise son will obey the instruction of his father: but a scorner will hear no rebuke.
2 A man shall eat good things by the fruit [a]of his mouth: but the soul of the trespasser shall suffer violence.
3 He that keepeth his mouth, keepeth his life: but he that openeth his lips, destruction shall be to him.
4 The sluggard [b]lusteth, but his soul hath nought: but the soul of the diligent shall have plenty.
5 A righteous man hateth lying words: but the wicked causeth slander and shame.
6 Righteousness preserveth the upright of [c]life: but wickedness overthroweth the sinner.
7 There is that maketh himself rich, and hath nothing, and that maketh himself poor, having great riches.
8 A man will give his riches for the ransom of his life: but the poor [d]cannot hear the reproach.
9 The light of the righteous rejoiceth: but the candle of the wicked shall be put out.
10 Only by pride [e]doth man make contention: but with the well-advised is wisdom.
11 The [f]riches of vanity shall diminish: but he that gathereth with [g]the hand, shall increase them.
12 The hope that is deferred, is the fainting of the heart, but when the desire cometh, it is as a tree of life.
13 He that despiseth [h]the word, he shall be destroyed, but he that feareth the commandment, he shall be rewarded.
14 The instruction of a wise man is as the wellspring of life, to turn away from the snares of death.
15 Good understanding maketh acceptable: but the way of the disobedient is hated.
16 Every wise man will work by knowledge: but a fool will spread abroad folly.
17 (A)A wicked messenger falleth [i]into evil: but a faithful ambassador is preservation.
18 Poverty and shame is to him that refuseth instruction: but he that regardeth correction, shall be honored.
19 A desire accomplished, delighteth the soul: but it is an abomination to fools to depart from evil.
20 He that walketh with the wise shall be wise: but a companion of fools shall be [j]afflicted.
21 Affliction followeth sinners: but unto the righteous, God will recompense good.
22 The good man shall give inheritance unto his children’s children: and the [k]riches of the sinner is laid up for the just.
23 Much food is in the field of the [l]poor, but the field is destroyed without discretion.
24 (B)He that spareth his rod, hateth his son: but he that loveth him chasteneth him betime.
25 The righteous eateth to the contentation of his mind: but the belly of the wicked shall want.
Footnotes
- Proverbs 13:2 If he use his tongue to God’s glory, and the profit of his neighbor, God shall bless him.
- Proverbs 13:4 He ever desireth, but taketh no pains to get anything.
- Proverbs 13:6 Hebrew, way.
- Proverbs 13:8 For his poverty, he is not able to escape the threatenings, which the cruel oppressors use against him.
- Proverbs 13:10 When as every man contendeth to have the preeminence, and will not give place to another.
- Proverbs 13:11 That is, goods evil gotten.
- Proverbs 13:11 That is, with his own labor.
- Proverbs 13:13 Meaning, the word of God, whereby he is admonished of his duty.
- Proverbs 13:17 Bringeth many inconveniences both to himself and to others.
- Proverbs 13:20 As he is partaker of their wickedness, and beareth with their vices, so shall he be punished alike as they are.
- Proverbs 13:22 Read Job 27:16, 17.
- Proverbs 13:23 God blesseth the labor of the poor, and consumeth their goods which are negligent, because they think they have enough.
Proverbs 13
New International Version
13 A wise son heeds his father’s instruction,
but a mocker does not respond to rebukes.(A)
2 From the fruit of their lips people enjoy good things,(B)
but the unfaithful have an appetite for violence.
3 Those who guard their lips(C) preserve their lives,(D)
but those who speak rashly will come to ruin.(E)
4 A sluggard’s appetite is never filled,(F)
but the desires of the diligent are fully satisfied.
5 The righteous hate what is false,(G)
but the wicked make themselves a stench
and bring shame on themselves.
6 Righteousness guards the person of integrity,
but wickedness overthrows the sinner.(H)
7 One person pretends to be rich, yet has nothing;(I)
another pretends to be poor, yet has great wealth.(J)
8 A person’s riches may ransom their life,
but the poor cannot respond to threatening rebukes.(K)
9 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)
15 Good judgment wins favor,
but the way of the unfaithful leads to their destruction.[a]
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)
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
- Proverbs 13:15 Septuagint and Syriac; the meaning of the Hebrew for this phrase is uncertain.
- Proverbs 13:16 Or prudent protect themselves through
Proverbs 13
Christian Standard Bible Anglicised
13 A wise son responds to his father’s discipline,
but a mocker doesn’t listen to rebuke.
2 From the fruit of his mouth,
a person will enjoy good things,(A)
but treacherous people have an appetite for violence.(B)
3 The one who guards his mouth protects his life;(C)
the one who opens his lips invites his own ruin.(D)
4 The slacker craves, yet has nothing,
but the diligent is fully satisfied.(E)
5 The righteous hate lying,
but the wicked bring disgust and shame.
7 One person pretends to be rich but has nothing;(G)
another pretends to be poor but has abundant wealth.(H)
8 Riches are a ransom for a person’s life,(I)
but a poor person hears no threat.
10 Arrogance leads to nothing but strife,(L)
but wisdom is gained by those who take advice.
11 Wealth obtained by fraud will dwindle,(M)
but whoever earns it through labour[b] will multiply it.(N)
12 Hope delayed makes the heart sick,
but desire fulfilled is a tree of life.(O)
13 The one who has contempt for instruction will pay the penalty,(P)
but the one who respects a command will be rewarded.(Q)
14 A wise person’s instruction is a fountain of life,(R)
turning people away from the snares of death.(S)
16 Every sensible person acts knowledgeably,
but a fool displays his stupidity.(U)
17 A wicked envoy falls into trouble,
but a trustworthy courier brings healing.(V)
18 Poverty and disgrace come to those
who ignore discipline,
but the one who accepts correction will be honoured.(W)
19 Desire fulfilled is sweet to the taste,
but to turn from evil is detestable to fools.(X)
20 The one who walks with the wise will become wise,
but a companion of fools will suffer harm.
21 Disaster pursues sinners,
but good rewards the righteous.(Y)
22 A good man leaves an inheritance to his[d] grandchildren,
but the sinner’s wealth is stored up for the righteous.(Z)
23 The uncultivated field of the poor yields abundant food,
but without justice, it is swept away.
24 The one who will not use the rod hates his son,(AA)
but the one who loves him disciplines him diligently.(AB)
25 A righteous person eats until he is satisfied,
but the stomach of the wicked is empty.(AC)
Proverbs 13
King James Version
13 A wise son heareth his father's instruction: but a scorner heareth not rebuke.
2 A man shall eat good by the fruit of his mouth: but the soul of the transgressors shall eat violence.
3 He that keepeth his mouth keepeth his life: but he that openeth wide his lips shall have destruction.
4 The soul of the sluggard desireth, and hath nothing: but the soul of the diligent shall be made fat.
5 A righteous man hateth lying: but a wicked man is loathsome, and cometh to shame.
6 Righteousness keepeth him that is upright in the way: but wickedness overthroweth the sinner.
7 There is that maketh himself rich, yet hath nothing: there is that maketh himself poor, yet hath great riches.
8 The ransom of a man's life are his riches: but the poor heareth not rebuke.
9 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.
Proverbs 13
New King James Version
Wisdom Loves Righteousness
13 A wise son heeds his father’s instruction,
(A)But a scoffer does not listen to rebuke.
2 (B)A man shall eat well by the fruit of his mouth,
But the soul of the unfaithful feeds on violence.
3 (C)He who guards his mouth preserves his life,
But he who opens wide his lips shall have destruction.
4 (D)The soul of a lazy man desires, and has nothing;
But the soul of the diligent shall be made rich.
5 A righteous man hates lying,
But a wicked man is loathsome and comes to shame.
6 (E)Righteousness guards him whose way is blameless,
But wickedness overthrows the sinner.
7 (F)There is one who makes himself rich, yet has nothing;
And one who makes himself poor, yet has great riches.
8 The ransom of a man’s life is his riches,
But the poor does not hear rebuke.
9 The light of the righteous rejoices,
(G)But the lamp of the wicked will be put out.
10 By pride comes nothing but (H)strife,
But with the well-advised is wisdom.
11 (I)Wealth gained by dishonesty will be diminished,
But he who gathers by labor will increase.
12 Hope deferred makes the heart sick,
But (J)when the desire comes, it is a tree of life.
13 He who (K)despises the word will be destroyed,
But he who fears the commandment will be rewarded.
14 (L)The law of the wise is a fountain of life,
To turn one away from (M)the snares of death.
15 Good understanding [a]gains (N)favor,
But the way of the unfaithful is hard.
16 (O)Every prudent man acts with knowledge,
But a fool lays open his folly.
17 A wicked messenger falls into trouble,
But (P)a faithful ambassador brings health.
18 Poverty and shame will come to him who [b]disdains correction,
But (Q)he who regards a rebuke will be honored.
19 A desire accomplished is sweet to the soul,
But it is an abomination to fools to depart from evil.
20 He who walks with wise men will be wise,
But the companion of fools will be destroyed.
21 (R)Evil pursues sinners,
But to the righteous, good shall be repaid.
22 A good man leaves an inheritance to his children’s children,
But (S)the wealth of the sinner is stored up for the righteous.
25 (V)The righteous eats to the satisfying of his soul,
But the stomach of the wicked shall be in want.
Footnotes
- Proverbs 13:15 gives
- Proverbs 13:18 Lit. ignores
- Proverbs 13:23 uncultivated
- Proverbs 13:23 Lit. what is swept away
- Proverbs 13:24 early
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Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.


