Proverbs 13
1 A wise son is instructed of his father; but a scorner heareth not rebuke.
A wise son accepts his father's discipline, but a mocker doesn't listen to correction.
2 A man shall eat good from the fruit of his mouth; but the desire of the faithless is violence.
You'll be rewarded for saying good things, but dishonest people want violence.
3 He that guardeth his mouth keepeth his life; but for him that openeth wide his lips there shall be ruin.
Watch what you say and save your life—saying too much leads to disaster.
4 The soul of the sluggard desireth, and hath nothing; but the soul of the diligent shall be abundantly gratified.
Lazy people want a lot, but get nothing; if you work hard you'll be well rewarded.
5 A righteous man hateth lying; but a wicked man behaveth vilely and shamefully.
Good people hate lies, but the wicked cause a stink and bring disgrace.
6 Righteousness guardeth him that is upright in the way; but wickedness overthroweth the sinner.
Goodness protects those who live right, but sin overcomes the wicked.
7 There is that pretendeth himself rich, yet hath nothing; there is that pretendeth himself poor, yet hath great wealth.
Some pretend to be rich, but don't have anything, while others pretend to be poor and are very rich.
8 The ransom of a man's life are his riches; but the poor heareth no threatening.
The rich can pay a ransom to save their lives, but the poor aren't troubled in this way.
9 The light of the righteous rejoiceth; but the lamp of the wicked shall be put out.
The life of good people shines brightly, but the lamp of the wicked will be snuffed out.
10 By pride cometh only contention; but with the well-advised is wisdom.
Pride only causes conflict; but those who take advice are wise.
11 Wealth gotten by vanity shall be diminished; but he that gathereth little by little shall increase.
Wealth gained by fraud quickly disappears, but those who gather bit by bit prosper.
12 Hope deferred maketh the heart sick; but desire fulfilled is a tree of life.
Hope that's delayed makes you feel sick, but a wish that comes true revives you.
13 Whoso despiseth the word shall suffer thereby; but he that feareth the commandment shall be rewarded.
If you despise words of advice, you'll pay for it; but if you respect what you're told, you'll be rewarded.
14 The teaching of the wise is a fountain of life, to depart from the snares of death.
The teaching of the wise is like a fountain of life, so you can avoid the snares of death.
15 Good understanding giveth grace; but the way of the faithless is harsh.
Good sense earns appreciation, but the way of the unfaithful is hard.
16 Every prudent man dealeth with forethought; but a fool unfoldeth folly.
All wise people act intelligently, but stupid people demonstrate their stupidity.
17 A wicked messenger falleth into evil; but a faithful ambassador is health.
A bad messenger creates trouble, but a faithful representative brings healing.
18 Poverty and shame shall be to him that refuseth instruction; but he that regardeth reproof shall be honoured.
Poverty and disgrace come to those who ignore instruction, but those who accept correction are honored.
19 The desire accomplished is sweet to the soul; and it is an abomination to fools to depart from evil.
It's nice to see a wish come true, but stupid people hate to turn away from evil to achieve this.
20 He that walketh with wise men shall be wise; but the companion of fools shall smart for it.
Being friends with wise people will make you wise, but being friends with stupid people will only cause you problems.
21 Evil pursueth sinners; but to the righteous good shall be repaid.
Tragedy chases after the sinner, but prosperity rewards the 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.
Good people leave an inheritance to their grandchildren, but the sinner's wealth is saved for those who live right.
23 Much food is in the tillage of the poor; but there is that is swept away by want of righteousness.
The unploughed ground of the poor could produce a lot of food, but it's stolen through injustice.
24 He that spareth his rod hateth his son; but he that loveth him chasteneth him betimes.
People who don't discipline their children hate them. Those who love their children carefully discipline them.
25 The righteous eateth to the satisfying of his desire; but the belly of the wicked shall want.
The good eat until they're full; but the belly of the wicked is empty.
