Proverbs 13

¹ A wise son listens to his father’s instruction, but a scoffer doesn’t listen to rebuke.

² By the fruit of his lips, a man enjoys good things, but the unfaithful crave violence.

³ He who guards his mouth guards his soul. One who opens wide his lips comes to ruin.

⁴ The soul of the sluggard desires, and has nothing, but the desire of the diligent shall be fully satisfied.

⁵ A righteous man hates lies, but a wicked man brings shame and disgrace.

⁶ Righteousness guards the way of integrity, but wickedness overthrows the sinner.

⁷ There are some who pretend to be rich, yet have nothing. There are some who pretend to be poor, yet have great wealth.

⁸ The ransom of a man’s life is his riches, but the poor hear no threats.

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

¹⁰ Pride only breeds quarrels, but wisdom is with people who take advice.

¹¹ Wealth gained dishonestly dwindles away, but he who gathers by hand makes it grow.

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

¹³ Whoever despises instruction will pay for it, but he who respects a command will be rewarded.

¹⁴ The teaching of the wise is a spring of life, to turn from the snares of death.

¹⁵ Good understanding wins favor, but the way of the unfaithful is hard.

¹⁶ Every prudent man acts from knowledge, but a fool exposes folly.

¹⁷ A wicked messenger falls into trouble, but a trustworthy envoy gains healing.

¹⁸ Poverty and shame come to him who refuses discipline, but he who heeds correction shall be honored.

¹⁹ Longing fulfilled is sweet to the soul, but fools detest turning from evil.

²⁰ One who walks with wise men grows wise, but a companion of fools suffers harm.

²¹ Misfortune pursues sinners, but prosperity rewards the righteous.

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

²³ An abundance of food is in poor people’s fields, but injustice sweeps it away.

²⁴ One who spares the rod hates his son, but one who loves him is careful to discipline him.

²⁵ The righteous one eats to the satisfying of his soul, but the belly of the wicked goes hungry.