Proverbs 13
International Children’s Bible
13 A wise son takes his father’s advice.
But a person who makes fun of wisdom won’t listen to correction.
2 A person will be rewarded for what he says.
But those who can’t be trusted want only violence.
3 Whoever is careful about what he says protects his life.
But anyone who speaks without thinking will be ruined.
4 The lazy person will not get what he wants.
But a hard worker gets everything he wants.
5 Good people hate what is false.
But wicked people do shameful and disgraceful things.
6 Doing what is right protects the honest person.
But evil ruins the sinner.
7 Some people pretend to be rich but really have nothing.
Other people pretend to be poor but really are wealthy.
8 A rich man may have to pay a ransom for his life.
But a poor person will never have to face such a danger.
9 Good people will live long like bright flames.
But the wicked will die like a flame going out.
10 Pride leads to arguments.
But those who take advice are wise.
11 Money that comes easily disappears quickly.
But money that is gathered little by little will slowly grow.
12 It is sad when you don’t get what you hoped for.
But when wishes come true, it’s like eating fruit from the tree of life.
13 Whoever rejects what he is taught will pay for it.
But whoever does what he is told will be rewarded.
14 The teaching of a wise person gives life.
It is like a fountain of water that can save people from death.
15 People with good understanding will be liked.
But the lives of those who are not trustworthy are hard.
16 Every wise person acts with good sense.
But a foolish person shows how foolish he is.
17 A wicked messenger brings nothing but trouble.
But a trustworthy one makes everything right.
18 A person who refuses correction will end up poor and disgraced.
But a person who accepts correction will be honored.
19 It is so good when wishes come true.
But foolish people still refuse to stop doing evil.
20 Whoever spends time with wise people will become wise.
But whoever makes friends with fools will suffer.
21 Trouble always comes to sinners.
But good people enjoy success.
22 Good people’s wealth will be inherited by their grandchildren.
And a sinner’s wealth will be saved for good people.
23 A poor man’s field might have plenty of food.
But unfair people steal it from him.
24 If a person does not punish his children, he does not love them.
But the person who loves his children is careful to correct them.
25 Good people have enough to eat.
But the wicked will go hungry.
Proverbs 13
Modern English Version
13 A wise son heeds his father’s instruction,
but a scoffer does not listen to rebuke.
2 A man will eat well by the fruit of his mouth,
but the soul of the transgressor will eat violence.
3 He who guards his mouth preserves his life,
but he who opens wide his lips will have destruction.
4 The soul of the sluggard desires, and has nothing;
but the soul of the diligent will be made fat.
5 A righteous man hates lying,
but a wicked man is loathsome and comes to shame.
6 Righteousness keeps him who is upright in the way,
but wickedness overthrows the sinner.
7 There is one who makes himself rich, yet has nothing;
there is 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,
but the lamp of the wicked will be put out.
10 Only by pride comes contention,
but with the well-advised is wisdom.
11 Wealth gained by vanity will be diminished,
but he who gathers by labor will increase.
12 Hope deferred makes the heart sick,
but when the desire comes, it is a tree of life.
13 Whoever despises the word will be destroyed,
but he who fears the commandment will be rewarded.
14 The teaching of the wise is a fountain of life,
to depart from the snares of death.
15 Good understanding gives favor,
but the way of transgressors is hard.
16 Every prudent man deals with knowledge,
but a fool lays open his folly.
17 A wicked messenger falls into mischief,
but a faithful envoy is health.
18 Poverty and shame will be to him who refuses instruction,
but he who regards reproof will be honored.
19 The desire accomplished is sweet to the soul,
but it is abomination to fools to depart from evil.
20 He who walks with wise men will be wise,
but a companion of fools will be destroyed.
21 Evil pursues sinners,
but to the righteous good will be repaid.
22 A good man leaves 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 for lack of justice it is destroyed.
24 He who spares his rod hates his son,
but he who loves him disciplines him early.
25 The righteous eats to the satisfying of his soul,
but the stomach of the wicked will want.
The Holy Bible, International Children’s Bible® Copyright© 1986, 1988, 1999, 2015 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission.
The Holy Bible, Modern English Version. Copyright © 2014 by Military Bible Association. Published and distributed by Charisma House.