Proverbs 13
1 A wise son is the doctrine of his father. But he who ridicules does not listen when he is reproved.
A wise son heeds his father’s discipline, but a mocker does not listen to rebuke.
2 From the fruit of his own mouth, a man shall be satisfied with good things. But the soul of betrayers is iniquity.
From the fruit of his lips a man enjoys good things, but the desire of the faithless is violence.
3 Whoever guards his mouth guards his soul. But whoever gives no consideration to his speech shall experience misfortunes.
He who guards his mouth protects his life, but the one who opens his lips invites his own ruin.
4 The lazy one is willing and then not willing. But the soul of he who labors shall be made fat.
The slacker craves yet has nothing, but the soul of the diligent is fully satisfied.
5 The just shall detest a lying word. But the impious confound and will be confounded.
The righteous hate falsehood, but the wicked bring shame and disgrace.
6 Justice guards the way of the innocent. But impiety undermines the sinner.
Righteousness guards the man of integrity, but wickedness undermines the sinner.
7 One is like the rich, though he has nothing. And another is like the poor, though he has many riches.
One pretends to be rich, but has nothing; another pretends to be poor, yet has great wealth.
8 The redemption of a man’s life is his riches. But he who is poor cannot tolerate correction.
Riches may ransom a man’s life, but a poor man hears no threat.
9 The light of the just enriches. But the lamp of the impious will be extinguished.
The light of the righteous shines brightly, but the lamp of the wicked is extinguished.
10 Among the arrogant, there are always conflicts. But those who do everything with counsel are ruled by wisdom.
Arrogance leads only to strife, but wisdom is with the well-advised.
11 Substance obtained in haste will be diminished. But what is collected by hand, little by little, shall be multiplied.
Dishonest wealth will dwindle, but what is earned through hard work will be multiplied.
12 Hope, when it is delayed, afflicts the soul. The arrival of the desired is a tree of life.
Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but desire fulfilled is a tree of life.
13 Whoever denounces something obligates himself for the future. But whoever fears a lesson shall turn away in peace. Deceitful souls wander into sins. The just are merciful and compassionate.
He who despises instruction will pay the penalty, but the one who respects a command will be rewarded.
14 The law of the wise is a fountain of life, so that he may turn aside from the ruin of death.
The teaching of the wise is a fountain of life, turning one from the snares of death.
15 Good doctrine bestows grace. In the way of the contemptuous, there is a chasm.
Good understanding wins favor, but the way of the faithless is difficult.
16 The discerning do everything with counsel. But whoever is senseless discloses his stupidity.
Every prudent man acts with knowledge, but a fool displays his folly.
17 The messenger of the impious will fall into evil. But a faithful ambassador shall prosper.
A wicked messenger falls into trouble, but a faithful envoy brings healing.
18 Destitution and disgrace are for those who abandon discipline. But whoever agrees with a reproof shall be glorified.
Poverty and shame come to him who ignores discipline, but whoever heeds correction is honored.
19 The desired, when perfected, shall delight the soul. The foolish detest those who flee from evils.
Desire fulfilled is sweet to the soul, but turning from evil is detestable to fools.
20 Whoever keeps step with the wise shall be wise. A friend of the foolish will become like them.
He who walks with the wise will become wise, but the companion of fools will be destroyed.
21 Evil pursues sinners. And good things shall be distributed to the just.
Disaster pursues sinners, but prosperity is the reward of the righteous.
22 The good leave behind heirs: children and grandchildren. And the substance of the sinner is preserved for the just.
A good man leaves an inheritance to his children’s children, but the sinner’s wealth is passed to the righteous.
23 Much nourishment is in the fallow land of the fathers. But for others, it is gathered without judgment.
Abundant food is in the fallow ground of the poor, but without justice it is swept away.
24 He who spares the rod hates his son. But he who loves him urgently instructs him.
He who spares the rod hates his son, but he who loves him disciplines him diligently.
25 The just eats and fills his soul. But the belly of the impious is never satisfied.
A righteous man eats to his heart’s content, but the stomach of the wicked is empty.
