Proverbs 13
1 A wise son listens to his father’s instruction, but a scoffer doesn’t listen to rebuke.
A wise son is a lover of teaching, but the ears of the haters of authority are shut to sharp words.
2 By the fruit of his lips, a man enjoys good things, but the unfaithful crave violence.
A man will get good from the fruit of his lips, but the desire of the false is for violent acts.
3 He who guards his mouth guards his soul. One who opens wide his lips comes to ruin.
He who keeps a watch on his mouth keeps his life; but he whose lips are open wide will have destruction.
4 The soul of the sluggard desires, and has nothing, but the desire of the diligent shall be fully satisfied.
The hater of work does not get his desires, but the soul of the hard workers will be made fat.
5 A righteous man hates lies, but a wicked man brings shame and disgrace.
The upright man is a hater of false words: the evil-doer gets a bad name and is put to shame.
6 Righteousness guards the way of integrity, but wickedness overthrows the sinner.
Righteousness keeps safe him whose way is without error, but evil-doers are overturned by sin.
7 There are some who pretend to be rich, yet have nothing. There are some who pretend to be poor, yet have great wealth.
A man may be acting as if he had wealth, but have nothing; another may seem poor, but have great wealth.
8 The ransom of a man’s life is his riches, but the poor hear no threats.
A man will give his wealth in exchange for his life; but the poor will not give ear to sharp words.
9 The light of the righteous shines brightly, but the lamp of the wicked is snuffed out.
There is a glad dawn for the upright man, but the light of the sinner will be put out.
10 Pride only breeds quarrels, but wisdom is with people who take advice.
The only effect of pride is fighting; but wisdom is with the quiet in spirit.
11 Wealth gained dishonestly dwindles away, but he who gathers by hand makes it grow.
Wealth quickly got will become less; but he who gets a store by the work of his hands will have it increased.
12 Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but when longing is fulfilled, it is a tree of life.
Hope put off is a weariness to the heart; but when what is desired comes, it is a tree of life.
13 Whoever despises instruction will pay for it, but he who respects a command will be rewarded.
He who makes sport of the word will come to destruction, but the respecter of the law will 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 a fountain of life, turning men away from the nets of death.
15 Good understanding wins favor, but the way of the unfaithful is hard.
Wise behaviour gets approval, but the way of the false is their destruction.
16 Every prudent man acts from knowledge, but a fool exposes folly.
A sharp man does everything with knowledge, but a foolish man makes clear his foolish thoughts.
17 A wicked messenger falls into trouble, but a trustworthy envoy gains healing.
A man taking false news is a cause of trouble, but he who gives news rightly makes things well.
18 Poverty and shame come to him who refuses discipline, but he who heeds correction shall be honored.
Need and shame will be the fate of him who is uncontrolled by training; but he who takes note of teaching will be honoured.
19 Longing fulfilled is sweet to the soul, but fools detest turning from evil.
To get one's desire is sweet to the soul, but to give up evil is disgusting to the foolish.
20 One who walks with wise men grows wise, but a companion of fools suffers harm.
Go with wise men and be wise: but he who keeps company with the foolish will be broken.
21 Misfortune pursues sinners, but prosperity rewards the righteous.
Evil will overtake sinners, but the upright will be rewarded with good.
22 A good man leaves an inheritance to his children’s children, but the wealth of the sinner is stored for the righteous.
The heritage of the good man is handed down to his children's children; and the wealth of the sinner is stored up for the upright man.
23 An abundance of food is in poor people’s fields, but injustice sweeps it away.
There is much food in the ploughed land of the poor; but it is taken away by wrongdoing.
24 One who spares the rod hates his son, but one who loves him is careful to discipline him.
He who keeps back his rod is unkind to his son: the loving father gives punishment with care.
25 The righteous one eats to the satisfying of his soul, but the belly of the wicked goes hungry.
The upright man has food to the full measure of his desire, but there will be no food for the stomach of evil-doers.
