Proverbs 13

1A wise son heareth his father’s instruction: but a scorner heareth not rebuke.

2A man shall eat good by the fruit of his mouth: but the soul of the transgressors shall eat violence.

3He that keepeth his mouth keepeth his life: but he that openeth wide his lips shall have destruction.

4The soul of the sluggard desireth, and hath nothing: but the soul of the diligent shall be made fat.

5A righteous man hateth lying: but a wicked man is loathsome, and cometh to shame.

6Righteousness keepeth him that is upright in the way: but wickedness overthroweth the sinner.footnote a

7There is that maketh himself rich, yet hath nothing: there is that maketh himself poor, yet hath great riches.

8The ransom of a man’s life are his riches: but the poor heareth not rebuke.

9The light of the righteous rejoiceth: but the lamp of the wicked shall be put out.footnote b

10Only by pride cometh contention: but with the well advised is wisdom.

11Wealth gotten by vanity shall be diminished: but he that gathereth by labour shall increase.footnote c

12Hope deferred maketh the heart sick: but when the desire cometh, it is a tree of life.

13Whoso despiseth the word shall be destroyed: but he that feareth the commandment shall be rewarded.footnote d

14The law of the wise is a fountain of life, to depart from the snares of death.

15Good understanding giveth favour: but the way of transgressors is hard.

16Every prudent man dealeth with knowledge: but a fool layeth open his folly.footnote e

17A wicked messenger falleth into mischief: but a faithful ambassador is health.footnote f

18Poverty and shame shall be to him that refuseth instruction: but he that regardeth reproof shall be honoured.

19The desire accomplished is sweet to the soul: but it is abomination to fools to depart from evil.

20He that walketh with wise men shall be wise: but a companion of fools shall be destroyed.footnote g

21Evil pursueth sinners: but to the righteous good shall be repayed.

22A good man leaveth an inheritance to his children’s children: and the wealth of the sinner is laid up for the just.

23Much food is in the tillage of the poor: but there is that is destroyed for want of judgment.

24He that spareth his rod hateth his son: but he that loveth him chasteneth him betimes.

25The righteous eateth to the satisfying of his soul: but the belly of the wicked shall want.

A Father’s Discipline

1A wise son heeds his father’s discipline,but a mocker does not listen to rebuke.

2From the fruit of his lips a man enjoys good things,but the desire of the faithless is violence.

3He who guards his mouth protects his life,but the one who opens his lips invites his own ruin.

4The slacker craves yet has nothing,but the soul of the diligent is fully satisfied.

5The righteous hate falsehood,but the wicked bring shame and disgrace.

6Righteousness guards the man of integrity,but wickedness undermines the sinner.

7One pretends to be rich, but has nothing;another pretends to be poor, yet has great wealth.

8Riches may ransom a man’s life,but a poor man hears no threat.

9The light of the righteous shines brightly,but the lamp of the wicked is extinguished.

10Arrogance leads only to strife,but wisdom is with the well-advised.

11Dishonest wealth will dwindle,but what is earned through hard work will be multiplied.

12Hope deferred makes the heart sick,but desire fulfilled is a tree of life.

13He who despises instruction will pay the penalty,but the one who respects a command will be rewarded.

14The teachingfootnote aof the wise is a fountain of life,turning one from the snares of death.

15Good understanding wins favor,but the way of the faithless is difficult.

16Every prudent man acts with knowledge,but a fool displays his folly.

17A wicked messenger falls into trouble,but a faithful envoy brings healing.

18Poverty and shame come to him who ignores discipline,but whoever heeds correction is honored.

19Desire fulfilled is sweet to the soul,but turning from evil is detestable to fools.

20He who walks with the wise will become wise,but the companion of fools will be destroyed.

21Disaster pursues sinners,but prosperity is the reward of the righteous.

22A good man leaves an inheritance to his children’s children,but the sinner’s wealth is passed to the righteous.

23Abundant food is in the fallow ground of the poor,but without justice it is swept away.

24He who spares the rod hates his son,but he who loves him disciplines him diligently.

25A righteous man eats to his heart’s content,but the stomach of the wicked is empty.