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
American Standard Version
13 A wise son heareth his father’s [a]instruction;
But a scoffer heareth not rebuke.
2 A man shall eat good [b]by the fruit of his mouth;
But [c]the soul of the treacherous shall eat violence.
3 He that guardeth 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 [d]is loathsome, and cometh to shame.
6 Righteousness guardeth [e]him that is upright in the way;
But wickedness overthroweth [f]the sinner.
7 There is that [g]maketh himself rich, yet hath nothing:
There is that [h]maketh himself poor, yet hath great wealth.
8 The ransom of a man’s life is his riches;
But the poor heareth no [i]threatening.
9 The light of the righteous rejoiceth;
But the lamp of the wicked shall be put out.
10 By pride cometh only contention;
But with the well-advised is wisdom.
11 Wealth gotten by vanity shall be diminished;
But he that gathereth [j]by labor shall have increase.
12 Hope deferred maketh the heart sick;
But when the desire cometh, it is a tree of life.
13 Whoso despiseth the word [k]bringeth destruction on himself;
But he that feareth the commandment shall be rewarded.
14 The [l]law of the wise is a fountain of life,
That one may depart from the snares of death.
15 Good understanding [m]giveth favor;
But the way of the transgressor is hard.
16 Every prudent man worketh with knowledge;
But a fool flaunteth his folly.
17 A wicked messenger falleth into evil;
But a faithful ambassador is health.
18 Poverty and shame shall be to him that refuseth [n]correction;
But he that regardeth reproof shall be honored.
19 The desire accomplished is sweet to the soul;
But it is an abomination to fools to depart from evil.
20 [o]Walk with wise men, and thou shalt be wise;
But the companion of fools shall [p]smart for it.
21 Evil pursueth sinners;
But the righteous shall be recompensed with good.
22 A good man leaveth an inheritance to his children’s children;
And the wealth of the sinner is laid up for the righteous.
23 Much food is in the [q]tillage of the poor;
But there is that is destroyed by reason of injustice.
24 He that spareth his rod hateth his son;
But he that loveth him chasteneth him [r]betimes.
25 The righteous eateth to the satisfying of his soul;
But the belly of the wicked shall want.
14 Every wise woman buildeth her house;
But [s]the foolish plucketh it down with her own hands.
2 He that walketh in his uprightness feareth Jehovah;
But he that is perverse in his ways despiseth him.
3 In the mouth of the foolish is a rod for his pride;
But the lips of the wise shall preserve them.
4 Where no oxen are, the crib is clean;
But much increase is by the strength of the ox.
5 A faithful witness will not lie;
But a false witness [t]uttereth lies.
6 A scoffer seeketh wisdom, and findeth it not;
But knowledge is easy unto him that hath understanding.
7 [u]Go into the presence of a foolish man,
And thou shalt not perceive in him the lips of knowledge.
8 The wisdom of the prudent is to understand his way;
But the folly of fools is deceit.
9 [v]A trespass-offering mocketh fools;
But among the upright there is [w]good will.
10 The heart knoweth its own bitterness;
And a stranger doth not intermeddle with its joy.
11 The house of the wicked shall be overthrown;
But the tent of the upright shall flourish.
12 There is a way which [x]seemeth right unto a man;
But the end thereof are the ways of death.
13 Even in laughter the heart is sorrowful;
And the end of mirth is heaviness.
14 The backslider in heart shall be filled with his own ways;
And a good man shall be satisfied from himself.
15 The simple believeth every word;
But the prudent man looketh well to his going.
16 A wise man feareth, and departeth from evil;
But the fool beareth himself insolently, and is confident.
17 He that is soon angry will deal foolishly;
And a man of wicked devices is hated.
18 The simple inherit folly;
But the prudent are crowned with knowledge.
19 The evil bow down before the good;
And the wicked, at the gates of the righteous.
20 The poor is hated even of his own neighbor;
But the rich hath many friends.
21 He that despiseth his neighbor sinneth;
But he that hath pity on the poor, happy is he.
22 [y]Do they not err that devise evil?
But mercy and truth shall be to them that devise good.
23 In all labor there is profit;
But the talk of the lips tendeth only to penury.
24 [z]The crown of the wise is their riches;
But the folly of fools is only folly.
25 A true witness delivereth souls;
But he that [aa]uttereth lies causeth deceit.
26 In the fear of Jehovah is strong confidence;
And [ab]his children shall have a place of refuge.
27 The fear of Jehovah is a fountain of life,
That one may depart from the snares of death.
28 In the multitude of people is the king’s glory;
But in the want of people is the destruction of the prince.
29 He that is slow to anger is of great understanding;
But he that is hasty of spirit [ac]exalteth folly.
30 A tranquil heart is the life of the flesh;
But [ad]envy is the rottenness of the bones.
31 He that oppresseth the poor reproacheth his Maker;
But he that hath mercy on the needy honoreth him.
32 The wicked is thrust down in his [ae]evil-doing;
But the righteous hath a refuge in his death.
33 Wisdom resteth in the heart of him that hath understanding;
[af]But that which is in the inward part of fools is made known.
34 Righteousness exalteth a nation;
But sin is a reproach to [ag]any people.
35 The king’s favor is toward a servant that dealeth wisely;
But his wrath will be against him that [ah]causeth shame.
15 A soft answer turneth away wrath;
But a grievous word stirreth up anger.
2 The tongue of the wise uttereth knowledge aright;
But the mouth of fools poureth out folly.
3 The eyes of Jehovah are in every place,
Keeping watch upon the evil and the good.
4 [ai]A gentle tongue is a tree of life;
But perverseness therein is a breaking of the spirit.
5 A fool despiseth his father’s [aj]correction;
But he that regardeth reproof [ak]getteth prudence.
6 In the house of the righteous is much treasure;
But in the revenues of the wicked is trouble.
7 The lips of the wise disperse knowledge;
But the heart of the foolish [al]doeth not so.
8 The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination to Jehovah;
But the prayer of the upright is his delight.
9 The way of the wicked is an abomination to Jehovah;
But he loveth him that followeth after righteousness.
10 There is grievous correction for him that forsaketh the way;
And he that hateth reproof shall die.
11 Sheol and [am]Abaddon are before Jehovah;
How much more then the hearts of the children of men!
12 A scoffer loveth not to be reproved;
He will not go unto the wise.
13 A glad heart maketh a cheerful countenance;
But by sorrow of heart the spirit is broken.
14 The heart of him that hath understanding seeketh knowledge;
But the mouth of fools feedeth on folly.
15 All the days of the afflicted are evil;
But he that is of a cheerful heart hath a continual feast.
16 Better is little, with the fear of Jehovah,
Than great treasure and trouble therewith.
17 Better is a [an]dinner of herbs, where love is,
Than a stalled ox and hatred therewith.
18 A wrathful man stirreth up contention;
But he that is slow to anger appeaseth strife.
19 The way of the sluggard is as a hedge of thorns;
But the path of the upright is made a highway.
20 A wise son maketh a glad father;
But a foolish man despiseth his mother.
21 Folly is joy to him that is void of [ao]wisdom;
But a man of understanding maketh straight his going.
22 Where there is no counsel, purposes are disappointed;
But in the multitude of counsellors they are established.
23 A man hath joy in the answer of his mouth;
And a word in due season, how good is it!
24 To the wise the way of life goeth upward,
That he may depart from Sheol beneath.
25 Jehovah will root up the house of the proud;
But he will establish the border of the widow.
26 Evil devices are an abomination to Jehovah;
But [ap]pleasant words are pure.
27 He that is greedy of gain troubleth his own house;
But he that hateth bribes shall live.
28 The heart of the righteous studieth to answer;
But the mouth of the wicked poureth out evil things.
29 Jehovah is far from the wicked;
But he heareth the prayer of the righteous.
30 The light of the eyes rejoiceth the heart;
And good tidings make the bones fat.
31 The ear that hearkeneth to the reproof of life
Shall abide among the wise.
32 He that refuseth [aq]correction despiseth his own soul;
But he that hearkeneth to reproof getteth [ar]understanding.
33 The fear of Jehovah is the instruction of wisdom;
And before honor goeth humility.
Footnotes
- Proverbs 13:1 Or, correction
- Proverbs 13:2 Or, from
- Proverbs 13:2 Or, the desire of the treacherous is for violence
- Proverbs 13:5 Or, causeth shame and bringeth reproach
- Proverbs 13:6 Hebrew uprightness of way.
- Proverbs 13:6 Hebrew sin.
- Proverbs 13:7 Or, feigneth
- Proverbs 13:7 Or, feigneth
- Proverbs 13:8 Or, rebuke
- Proverbs 13:11 Hebrew with the hand.
- Proverbs 13:13 Or, maketh himself a debtor thereto
- Proverbs 13:14 Or, teaching
- Proverbs 13:15 Or, getteth
- Proverbs 13:18 Or, instruction
- Proverbs 13:20 According to another reading, He that walketh with wise men shall be wise.
- Proverbs 13:20 Hebrew be broken.
- Proverbs 13:23 Or, tilled land
- Proverbs 13:24 Or, diligently
- Proverbs 14:1 Hebrew folly.
- Proverbs 14:5 Hebrew breatheth out.
- Proverbs 14:7 Or, Go from . . . For thou wilt not etc.
- Proverbs 14:9 Or, Fools make a mock at sin
- Proverbs 14:9 Or, the favor of God
- Proverbs 14:12 Or, is straight before
- Proverbs 14:22 Or, Shall they not go astray
- Proverbs 14:24 Or, Their riches is a crown unto the wise
- Proverbs 14:25 Hebrew breatheth out.
- Proverbs 14:26 Or, the children of him that hath it
- Proverbs 14:29 Or, carrieth away
- Proverbs 14:30 Or, jealousy
- Proverbs 14:32 Or, calamity
- Proverbs 14:33 Or, And in the midst of fools it maketh itself known
- Proverbs 14:34 Hebrew peoples.
- Proverbs 14:35 Or, doeth shamefully
- Proverbs 15:4 Hebrew The healing of the tongue.
- Proverbs 15:5 Or, instruction
- Proverbs 15:5 Or, dealeth prudently
- Proverbs 15:7 Or, is not stedfast (or, right)
- Proverbs 15:11 Or, Destruction
- Proverbs 15:17 Or, portion
- Proverbs 15:21 Hebrew heart.
- Proverbs 15:26 Or, the pure speak pleasant words
- Proverbs 15:32 Or, instruction
- Proverbs 15:32 Hebrew heart.
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