Proverbs 13

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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 heareth not rebuke.

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

9 The light of the righteous rejoiceth: but the lamp of the wicked shall be extinguished.

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

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

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

11 Wealth [gotten] by vanity shall be diminished: but he that gathereth by labor shall increase.

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

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

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

13 Whoever despiseth the word shall be destroyed: but he that feareth the commandment shall be rewarded.

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

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

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

15 Good understanding giveth favor: but the way of transgressors [is] hard.

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

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

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

17 A wicked messenger falleth into mischief: but a faithful embassador [is] health.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Misfortune pursues sinners, but prosperity rewards the righteous.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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