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Proverbs 13-15
Contemporary English Version
Proverbs 13-15
Contemporary English Version
Wise Friends Make You Wise
13 Children with good sense
accept correction
from their parents,
but stubborn children
ignore it completely.
2 You will be well rewarded
for saying something kind,
but all some people think about
is how to be cruel and mean.
3 (A) Keep what you know to yourself,
and you will be safe;
talk too much,
and you are done for.
4 No matter how much you want,
laziness won't help a bit,
but hard work will reward you
with more than enough.
5 A good person hates deceit,
but those who are evil
cause shame and disgrace.
6 Live right, and you are safe!
But sin will destroy you.
7 Some who have nothing
may pretend to be rich,
and some who have everything
may pretend to be poor.
8 The rich may have
to pay a ransom,
but the poor don't have
that problem.
9 The lamp of a good person
keeps on shining;
the lamp of an evil person
soon goes out.
10 Too much pride causes trouble.
Be sensible and take advice.
11 Money wrongly[a] gained
will disappear bit by bit;
money earned little by little
will grow and grow.
12 Not getting what you want
can break your heart,
but a wish that comes true
is a life-giving tree.
13 If you reject God's teaching,
you will pay the price;
if you obey his commands,
you will be rewarded.
14 Sensible instruction
is a life-giving fountain
that helps you escape
all deadly traps.
15 Sound judgment is praised,
but people without good sense
are on the way to disaster.[b]
16 If you have good sense,
you will act sensibly,
but fools act like fools.
17 Whoever delivers your message
can make things better
or worse for you.
18 All who refuse correction
will be poor and disgraced;
all who accept correction
will be praised.
19 It's a good feeling
to get what you want,
but only a stupid fool
hates to turn from evil.
20 (B) Wise friends make you wise,
but you hurt yourself
by going around with fools.
21 You are in for trouble
if you sin,
but you will be rewarded
if you live right.
22 If you obey God,
you will have something
to leave your grandchildren.
If you don't obey God,
those who live right
will get what you leave.
23 Even when the land of the poor
produces good crops,
they get cheated
out of what they grow.[c]
24 If you love your children,
you will correct them;
if you don't love them,
you won't correct them.
25 If you live right,
you will have plenty to eat;
if you don't live right,
you will go away empty.
Wisdom Makes Good Sense
14 A woman's family
is held together
by her wisdom,
but it can be destroyed
by her foolishness.
2 By living right, you show
that you respect the Lord;
by being deceitful, you show
that you despise him.
3 Proud fools are punished
for their stupid talk,
but sensible talk
can save your life.
4 Without the help of an ox
there can be no crop,
but with a strong ox
a big crop is possible.
5 An honest witness
tells the truth;
a dishonest witness
tells nothing but lies.
6 Make fun of wisdom,
and you will never find it.
But if you have understanding,
knowledge comes easily.
7 Stay away from fools,
or you won't learn a thing.
8 Wise people have enough sense
to find their way,
but stupid fools get lost.
9 Fools don't care
if they are wrong,[d]
but God is pleased
when people do right.
10 No one else can really know
how sad or happy you are.
11 The tent of a good person
stands longer than the house
of someone evil.
12 (C) You may think you are
on the right road
and still end up dead.
13 Sorrow may hide
behind laughter,
and happiness may end
in sorrow.
14 You harvest what you plant,
whether good or bad.
15 Don't be stupid
and believe all you hear;
be smart and know
where you are headed.
16 Only a stupid fool
is never cautious—
so be extra careful
and stay out of trouble.
17 Fools have quick tempers,
and no one likes you
if you can't be trusted.
18 Stupidity leads to foolishness;
be smart and learn.
19 The wicked will come crawling
to those who obey God.
20 You have no friends
if you are poor,
but you have lots of friends
if you are rich.
21 It's wrong to hate others,
but God blesses everyone
who is kind to the poor.
22 It's a mistake
to make evil plans,
but you will have loyal friends
if you want to do right.
23 Hard work is worthwhile,
but empty talk
will make you poor.
24 Wisdom can make you rich,
but foolishness leads
to more foolishness.
25 An honest witness
can save your life,
but liars can't be trusted.
26 If you respect the Lord,
you and your children
have a strong fortress
27 and a life-giving fountain
that keeps you safe
from deadly traps.
28 Rulers of powerful nations
are held in honor;
rulers of weak nations
are nothing at all.
29 It's smart to be patient,
but it's stupid
to lose your temper.
30 It's healthy to be content,
but envy can eat you up.
31 If you mistreat the poor,
you insult your Creator;
if you are kind to them,
you show him respect.
32 In times of trouble
the wicked are destroyed,
but even at death
the innocent have faith.[e]
33 Wisdom is found in the minds
of people with good sense,
but fools don't know it.[f]
34 Doing right brings honor
to a nation,
but sin brings disgrace.
35 Kings reward servants
who act wisely,
but they punish those
who act foolishly.
The Lord Sees Everything
15 A kind answer
soothes angry feelings,
but harsh words
stir them up.
2 Words of wisdom
come from the wise,
but fools speak foolishness.
3 The Lord sees everything,
whether good or bad.
4 Kind words are good medicine,
but deceitful words
can really hurt.
5 Don't be a fool
and disobey your parents.
Be smart! Accept correction.
6 Good people become wealthy,
but those who are evil
will lose what they have.
7 Words of wisdom
make good sense;
the thoughts of a fool
make no sense at all.
8 The Lord is disgusted
by gifts from the wicked,
but it makes him happy
when his people pray.
9 The Lord is disgusted
with all who do wrong,
but he loves everyone
who does right.
10 If you turn from the right way,
you will be punished;
if you refuse correction,
you will die.
11 If the Lord can see everything
in the world of the dead,
he can see in our hearts.
12 Those who sneer at others
don't like to be corrected,
and they won't ask help
from someone with sense.
13 Happiness makes you smile;
sorrow can crush you.
14 Anyone with good sense
is eager to learn more,
but fools are hungry
for foolishness.
15 The poor have a hard life,
but being content is as good
as an endless feast.
16 It's better to obey the Lord
and have only a little,
than to be very rich
and terribly anxious.
17 A simple meal with love
is better than a feast
where there is hatred.
18 Losing your temper
causes a lot of trouble,
but staying calm
settles arguments.
19 A lazy person refuses
to clear a thorny path,
but everyone who does right
walks on a smooth road.
20 Children with good sense
make their parents happy,
but foolish children
despise them.
21 Stupidity brings happiness
to senseless fools,
but everyone with good sense
follows the straight path.
22 Without good advice
everything goes wrong—
it takes careful planning
for things to go right.
23 Giving the right answer
at the right time
makes everyone happy.
24 All who are wise follow a road
that leads upward to life
and away from death.
25 The Lord destroys the homes
of those who are proud,
but he protects the property
of widows.
26 The Lord hates evil thoughts,
but kind words please him.
27 Being greedy causes trouble
for your family,
but you protect yourself
by refusing bribes.
28 Good people think
before they answer,
but the wicked speak evil
without ever thinking.
29 The Lord never even hears
the prayers of the wicked,
but he answers the prayers
of all who obey him.
30 A friendly smile
makes you happy,
and good news
makes you feel strong.
31 Healthy correction is good,
and if you accept it,
you will be wise.
32 You hurt only yourself
by rejecting instruction,
but it makes good sense
to accept it.
33 Showing respect to the Lord
will make you wise,
and being humble
will bring honor to you.
Footnotes
- 13.11 wrongly: Or “quickly.”
- 13.15 people … disaster: One possible meaning for the difficult Hebrew text.
- 13.23 grow: One possible meaning for the difficult Hebrew text of verse 23.
- 14.9 Fools … wrong: One possible meaning for the difficult Hebrew text.
- 14.32 but even … faith: One possible meaning for the difficult Hebrew text. Some ancient translations “but good people trust their innocence.”
- 14.33 but … it: One possible meaning for the difficult Hebrew text; some ancient translations “but not in the mind of a fool.”
Proverbs 13-15
New International Version
Proverbs 13-15
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)
14 The wise woman builds her house,(AK)
but with her own hands the foolish one tears hers down.
2 Whoever fears the Lord walks uprightly,
but those who despise him are devious in their ways.
4 Where there are no oxen, the manger is empty,
but from the strength of an ox(AN) come abundant harvests.
5 An honest witness does not deceive,
but a false witness pours out lies.(AO)
6 The mocker seeks wisdom and finds none,
but knowledge comes easily to the discerning.(AP)
7 Stay away from a fool,
for you will not find knowledge on their lips.
8 The wisdom of the prudent is to give thought to their ways,(AQ)
but the folly of fools is deception.(AR)
9 Fools mock at making amends for sin,
but goodwill is found among the upright.
10 Each heart knows its own bitterness,
and no one else can share its joy.
13 Even in laughter(AW) the heart may ache,
and rejoicing may end in grief.
15 The simple believe anything,
but the prudent give thought to their steps.(AZ)
17 A quick-tempered person(BC) does foolish things,(BD)
and the one who devises evil schemes is hated.(BE)
18 The simple inherit folly,
but the prudent are crowned with knowledge.
19 Evildoers will bow down in the presence of the good,
and the wicked at the gates of the righteous.(BF)
20 The poor are shunned even by their neighbors,
but the rich have many friends.(BG)
22 Do not those who plot evil go astray?(BJ)
But those who plan what is good find[c] love and faithfulness.
23 All hard work brings a profit,
but mere talk leads only to poverty.
24 The wealth of the wise is their crown,
but the folly of fools yields folly.(BK)
25 A truthful witness saves lives,
but a false witness is deceitful.(BL)
26 Whoever fears the Lord has a secure fortress,(BM)
and for their children it will be a refuge.(BN)
28 A large population is a king’s glory,
but without subjects a prince is ruined.(BQ)
29 Whoever is patient has great understanding,(BR)
but one who is quick-tempered displays folly.(BS)
30 A heart at peace gives life to the body,
but envy rots the bones.(BT)
31 Whoever oppresses the poor shows contempt for their Maker,(BU)
but whoever is kind to the needy honors God.(BV)
32 When calamity comes, the wicked are brought down,(BW)
but even in death the righteous seek refuge in God.(BX)
33 Wisdom reposes in the heart of the discerning(BY)
and even among fools she lets herself be known.[d]
34 Righteousness exalts a nation,(BZ)
but sin condemns any people.
35 A king delights in a wise servant,
but a shameful servant arouses his fury.(CA)
5 A fool spurns a parent’s discipline,
but whoever heeds correction shows prudence.(CL)
6 The house of the righteous contains great treasure,(CM)
but the income of the wicked brings ruin.(CN)
7 The lips of the wise spread knowledge,(CO)
but the hearts of fools are not upright.
8 The Lord detests the sacrifice(CP) of the wicked,(CQ)
but the prayer of the upright pleases him.(CR)
10 Stern discipline awaits anyone who leaves the path;
the one who hates correction will die.(CU)
12 Mockers resent correction,(CX)
so they avoid the wise.
14 The discerning heart seeks knowledge,(DA)
but the mouth of a fool feeds on folly.
15 All the days of the oppressed are wretched,
but the cheerful heart has a continual feast.(DB)
16 Better a little with the fear of the Lord
than great wealth with turmoil.(DC)
17 Better a small serving of vegetables with love
than a fattened calf with hatred.(DD)
19 The way of the sluggard is blocked with thorns,(DG)
but the path of the upright is a highway.
20 A wise son brings joy to his father,(DH)
but a foolish man despises his mother.
21 Folly brings joy to one who has no sense,(DI)
but whoever has understanding keeps a straight course.
24 The path of life leads upward for the prudent
to keep them from going down to the realm of the dead.
25 The Lord tears down the house of the proud,(DO)
but he sets the widow’s boundary stones in place.(DP)
26 The Lord detests the thoughts(DQ) of the wicked,(DR)
but gracious words are pure(DS) in his sight.
27 The greedy bring ruin to their households,
but the one who hates bribes will live.(DT)
29 The Lord is far from the wicked,
but he hears the prayer of the righteous.(DW)
30 Light in a messenger’s eyes brings joy to the heart,
and good news gives health to the bones.(DX)
31 Whoever heeds life-giving correction
will be at home among the wise.(DY)
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 14:22 Or show
- Proverbs 14:33 Hebrew; Septuagint and Syriac discerning / but in the heart of fools she is not known
- Proverbs 15:11 Hebrew Abaddon
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