Proverbs 13

¹A wise son listens to his father’s instruction,

but a scoffer doesn’t listen to rebuke.

²By the fruit of his lips, a man enjoys good things,

but the unfaithful crave violence.

³He who guards his mouth guards his soul.

One who opens wide his lips comes to ruin.

⁴The soul of the sluggard desires, and has nothing,

but the desire of the diligent shall be fully satisfied.

⁵A righteous man hates lies,

but a wicked man brings shame and disgrace.

⁶Righteousness guards the way of integrity,

but wickedness overthrows the sinner.

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

There are some who pretend to be poor, yet have great wealth.

⁸The ransom of a man’s life is his riches,

but the poor hear no threats.

⁹The light of the righteous shines brightly,

but the lamp of the wicked is snuffed out.

¹⁰Pride only breeds quarrels,

but wisdom is with people who take advice.

¹¹Wealth gained dishonestly dwindles away,

but he who gathers by hand makes it grow.

¹²Hope deferred makes the heart sick,

but when longing is fulfilled, it is a tree of life.

¹³Whoever despises instruction will pay for it,

but he who respects a command will be rewarded.

¹⁴The teaching of the wise is a spring of life,

to turn from the snares of death.

¹⁵Good understanding wins favour,

but the way of the unfaithful is hard.

¹⁶Every prudent man acts from knowledge,

but a fool exposes folly.

¹⁷A wicked messenger falls into trouble,

but a trustworthy envoy gains healing.

¹⁸Poverty and shame come to him who refuses discipline,

but he who heeds correction shall be honoured.

¹⁹Longing fulfilled is sweet to the soul,

but fools detest turning from evil.

²⁰One who walks with wise men grows wise,

but a companion of fools suffers harm.

²¹Misfortune pursues sinners,

but prosperity rewards the righteous.

²²A good man leaves an inheritance to his children’s children,

but the wealth of the sinner is stored for the righteous.

²³An abundance of food is in poor people’s fields,

but injustice sweeps it away.

²⁴One who spares the rod hates his son,

but one who loves him is careful to discipline him.

²⁵The righteous one eats to the satisfying of his soul,

but the belly of the wicked goes hungry.