Proverbs 13

1 A wise son accepts his father's discipline, but a mocker doesn't listen to correction.

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

2 You'll be rewarded for saying good things, but dishonest people want violence.

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

3 Watch what you say and save your life—saying too much leads to disaster.

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

4 Lazy people want a lot, but get nothing; if you work hard you'll be well rewarded.

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

5 Good people hate lies, but the wicked cause a stink and bring disgrace.

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

6 Goodness protects those who live right, but sin overcomes the wicked.

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

7 Some pretend to be rich, but don't have anything, while others pretend to be poor and are very rich.

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 rich can pay a ransom to save their lives, but the poor aren't troubled in this way.

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

9 The life of good people shines brightly, but the lamp of the wicked will be snuffed out.

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

10 Pride only causes conflict; but those who take advice are wise.

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

11 Wealth gained by fraud quickly disappears, but those who gather bit by bit prosper.

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

12 Hope that's delayed makes you feel sick, but a wish that comes true revives you.

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

13 If you despise words of advice, you'll pay for it; but if you respect what you're told, you'll be rewarded.

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

14 The teaching of the wise is like a fountain of life, so you can avoid the snares of death.

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

15 Good sense earns appreciation, but the way of the unfaithful is hard.

Good understanding brings favor; but the way of the unfaithful leads to calamity.

16 All wise people act intelligently, but stupid people demonstrate their stupidity.

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

17 A bad messenger creates trouble, but a faithful representative brings healing.

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

18 Poverty and disgrace come to those who ignore instruction, but those who accept correction are honored.

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

19 It's nice to see a wish come true, but stupid people hate to turn away from evil to achieve this.

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

20 Being friends with wise people will make you wise, but being friends with stupid people will only cause you problems.

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

21 Tragedy chases after the sinner, but prosperity rewards the good.

Misfortune pursues sinners, but prosperity rewards the righteous.

22 Good people leave an inheritance to their grandchildren, but the sinner's wealth is saved for those who live right.

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

23 The unploughed ground of the poor could produce a lot of food, but it's stolen through injustice.

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

24 People who don't discipline their children hate them. Those who love their children carefully discipline them.

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

25 The good eat until they're full; but the belly of the wicked is empty.

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