Proverbs 13
1 A wise son listens to his father’s instruction, but a scoffer doesn’t listen to rebuke.
A wise son accepts his father's discipline, but a mocker doesn't listen to correction.
2 By the fruit of his lips, a man enjoys good things, but the unfaithful crave violence.
You'll be rewarded for saying good things, but dishonest people want violence.
3 He who guards his mouth guards his soul. One who opens wide his lips comes to ruin.
Watch what you say and save your life—saying too much leads to disaster.
4 The soul of the sluggard desires, and has nothing, but the desire of the diligent shall be fully satisfied.
Lazy people want a lot, but get nothing; if you work hard you'll be well rewarded.
5 A righteous man hates lies, but a wicked man brings shame and disgrace.
Good people hate lies, but the wicked cause a stink and bring disgrace.
6 Righteousness guards the way of integrity, but wickedness overthrows the sinner.
Goodness protects those who live right, but sin overcomes the wicked.
7 There are some who pretend to be rich, yet have nothing. There are some who pretend to be poor, yet have 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 is his riches, but the poor hear no threats.
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 shines brightly, but the lamp of the wicked is snuffed out.
The life of good people shines brightly, but the lamp of the wicked will be snuffed out.
10 Pride only breeds quarrels, but wisdom is with people who take advice.
Pride only causes conflict; but those who take advice are wise.
11 Wealth gained dishonestly dwindles away, but he who gathers by hand makes it grow.
Wealth gained by fraud quickly disappears, but those who gather bit by bit prosper.
12 Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but when longing is fulfilled, it is a tree of life.
Hope that's delayed makes you feel sick, but a wish that comes true revives you.
13 Whoever despises instruction will pay for it, but he who respects a command will 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 spring of life, to turn 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 wins favor, but the way of the unfaithful is hard.
Good sense earns appreciation, but the way of the unfaithful is hard.
16 Every prudent man acts from knowledge, but a fool exposes folly.
All wise people act intelligently, but stupid people demonstrate their stupidity.
17 A wicked messenger falls into trouble, but a trustworthy envoy gains healing.
A bad messenger creates trouble, but a faithful representative brings healing.
18 Poverty and shame come to him who refuses discipline, but he who heeds correction shall be honored.
Poverty and disgrace come to those who ignore instruction, but those who accept correction are honored.
19 Longing fulfilled is sweet to the soul, but fools detest turning from evil.
It's nice to see a wish come true, but stupid people hate to turn away from evil to achieve this.
20 One who walks with wise men grows wise, but a companion of fools suffers harm.
Being friends with wise people will make you wise, but being friends with stupid people will only cause you problems.
21 Misfortune pursues sinners, but prosperity rewards the righteous.
Tragedy chases after the sinner, but prosperity rewards the good.
22 A good man leaves an inheritance to his children’s children, but the wealth of the sinner is stored for the righteous.
Good people leave an inheritance to their grandchildren, but the sinner's wealth is saved for those who live right.
23 An abundance of food is in poor people’s fields, but injustice sweeps it away.
The unploughed ground of the poor could produce a lot of food, but it's stolen through injustice.
24 One who spares the rod hates his son, but one who loves him is careful to discipline him.
People who don't discipline their children hate them. Those who love their children carefully discipline them.
25 The righteous one eats to the satisfying of his soul, but the belly of the wicked goes hungry.
The good eat until they're full; but the belly of the wicked is empty.
