Proverbs 13:1-25

  • Those who seek advice are wise (10)

  • Hope delayed makes the heart sick (12)

  • A faithful envoy brings healing (17)

  • Walking with the wise makes one wise (20)

  • Discipline, an expression of love (24)

13  A wise son accepts his father’s discipline,+But the scoffer does not listen to a rebuke.*+  2  From the fruitage of his speech* a man will eat what is good,+But the very desire* of the treacherous is for violence.  3  The one guarding his mouth* protects his life,*+But the one opening his lips wide will come to ruin.+  4  The lazy person has his cravings, yet he* has nothing,+But the diligent one* will be fully satisfied.*+  5  The righteous one hates lies,+But the actions of the wicked bring shame and disgrace.  6  Righteousness protects the one whose way is innocent,+But wickedness brings down the sinner.  7  There is one who pretends to be rich, yet has nothing;+There is another who pretends to be poor, yet has great wealth.  8  Riches are the ransom for a man’s life,*+But the poor are not even threatened.*+  9  The light of the righteous shines brightly,*+But the lamp of the wicked will be extinguished.+ 10  Presumptuousness leads only to strife,+But wisdom belongs to those who seek advice.*+ 11  Wealth quickly gained* will dwindle,+But the wealth of the one who gathers it little by little* will increase. 12  Expectation* postponed makes the heart sick,+But a desire realized is a tree of life.+ 13  Whoever despises instruction* will pay the penalty,+But the one who respects the commandment will be rewarded.+ 14  The teaching* of the wise one is a source of life+To turn one away from the snares of death. 15  Keen insight wins favor,But the way of the treacherous is harsh. 16  The shrewd person acts with knowledge,+But the fool exposes his own foolishness.+ 17  A wicked messenger falls into trouble,+But a faithful envoy brings healing.+ 18  Whoever neglects discipline comes to poverty and disgrace,But the one accepting correction* will be glorified.+ 19  Desire when realized is sweet to a person,*+But the stupid hate to turn away from bad.+ 20  The one walking with the wise will become wise,+But the one who has dealings with the stupid will fare badly.+ 21  Calamity pursues sinners,+But prosperity rewards the righteous.+ 22  The good person leaves an inheritance to his grandchildren,But the sinner’s wealth will be stored up for the righteous one.+ 23  The plowed field of the poor yields much food,But it* may be swept away by injustice. 24  Whoever holds back his rod* hates his son,+But the one who loves him disciplines him diligently.*+ 25  The righteous one eats and satisfies his appetite,*+But the stomach of the wicked is empty.+

Footnotes

^ Or “correction.”
^ Lit., “mouth.”
^ Or “soul.”
^ Or “what he says.”
^ Or “soul.”
^ Or “his soul.”
^ Or “soul.”
^ Lit., “will be made fat.”
^ Or “soul.”
^ Lit., “hear no rebuke.”
^ Lit., “rejoices.”
^ Or “those consulting together.”
^ Lit., “gathers by hand.”
^ Or “Wealth from vanity.”
^ Or “Hope.”
^ Or “the word.”
^ Or “law.”
^ Or “reproof.”
^ Or “soul.”
^ Or “he.”
^ Or “discipline; punishment.”
^ Or possibly, “promptly.”
^ Or “soul.”