14 The teaching of the wise is (A)a fountain of life,
    that one may (B)turn away from the snares of death.
15 (C)Good sense wins (D)favor,
    but the way of the treacherous is their ruin.[a]
16 (E)Every prudent man acts with knowledge,
    (F)but a fool flaunts his folly.
17 A wicked messenger falls into trouble,
    but (G)a faithful envoy brings healing.
18 Poverty and disgrace come to him who (H)ignores instruction,
    (I)but whoever (J)heeds reproof is honored.
19 (K)A desire fulfilled is sweet to the soul,
    but to turn away from evil is an abomination to fools.
20 Whoever walks with the wise becomes wise,
    but the companion of fools will suffer harm.
21 (L)Disaster[b] pursues sinners,
    (M)but the righteous are rewarded with good.
22 (N)A good man leaves an inheritance to his children's children,
    but (O)the sinner's wealth is laid up for the righteous.
23 The fallow ground of the poor would yield much food,
    but it is swept away through (P)injustice.
24 (Q)Whoever spares the rod hates his son,
    but he who loves him is diligent to discipline him.[c]
25 (R)The righteous has enough to satisfy his appetite,
    but the belly of the wicked suffers want.

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 13:15 Probable reading (compare Septuagint, Syriac, Vulgate); Hebrew is rugged, or is an enduring rut
  2. Proverbs 13:21 Or Evil
  3. Proverbs 13:24 Or who loves him disciplines him early

14 The teaching of the wise is a fountain of life,(A)
    turning a person from the snares of death.(B)

15 Good judgment wins favor,
    but the way of the unfaithful leads to their destruction.[a]

16 All who are prudent act with[b] knowledge,
    but fools expose(C) their folly.(D)

17 A wicked messenger falls into trouble,(E)
    but a trustworthy envoy brings healing.(F)

18 Whoever disregards discipline comes to poverty and shame,(G)
    but whoever heeds correction is honored.(H)

19 A longing fulfilled is sweet to the soul,(I)
    but fools detest turning from evil.

20 Walk with the wise and become wise,
    for a companion of fools suffers harm.(J)

21 Trouble pursues the sinner,(K)
    but the righteous(L) are rewarded with good things.(M)

22 A good person leaves an inheritance for their children’s children,
    but a sinner’s wealth is stored up for the righteous.(N)

23 An unplowed field produces food for the poor,
    but injustice sweeps it away.

24 Whoever spares the rod(O) hates their children,
    but the one who loves their children is careful to discipline(P) them.(Q)

25 The righteous eat to their hearts’ content,
    but the stomach of the wicked goes hungry.(R)

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 13:15 Septuagint and Syriac; the meaning of the Hebrew for this phrase is uncertain.
  2. Proverbs 13:16 Or prudent protect themselves through