Proverbs 13

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

A wise son is the doctrine of his father. But he who ridicules does not listen when he is reproved.

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

From the fruit of his own mouth, a man shall be satisfied with good things. But the soul of betrayers is iniquity.

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

Whoever guards his mouth guards his soul. But whoever gives no consideration to his speech shall experience misfortunes.

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

The lazy one is willing and then not willing. But the soul of he who labors shall be made fat.

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

The just shall detest a lying word. But the impious confound and will be confounded.

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

Justice guards the way of the innocent. But impiety undermines 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.

One is like the rich, though he has nothing. And another is like the poor, though he has many riches.

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

The redemption of a man’s life is his riches. But he who is poor cannot tolerate correction.

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

The light of the just enriches. But the lamp of the impious will be extinguished.

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

Among the arrogant, there are always conflicts. But those who do everything with counsel are ruled by wisdom.

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

Substance obtained in haste will be diminished. But what is collected by hand, little by little, shall be multiplied.

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

Hope, when it is delayed, afflicts the soul. The arrival of the desired is a tree of life.

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

Whoever denounces something obligates himself for the future. But whoever fears a lesson shall turn away in peace. Deceitful souls wander into sins. The just are merciful and compassionate.

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

The law of the wise is a fountain of life, so that he may turn aside from the ruin of death.

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

Good doctrine bestows grace. In the way of the contemptuous, there is a chasm.

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

The discerning do everything with counsel. But whoever is senseless discloses his stupidity.

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

The messenger of the impious will fall into evil. But a faithful ambassador shall prosper.

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

Destitution and disgrace are for those who abandon discipline. But whoever agrees with a reproof shall be glorified.

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

The desired, when perfected, shall delight the soul. The foolish detest those who flee from evils.

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

Whoever keeps step with the wise shall be wise. A friend of the foolish will become like them.

21 Misfortune pursues sinners, but prosperity rewards the righteous.

Evil pursues sinners. And good things shall be distributed to the just.

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

The good leave behind heirs: children and grandchildren. And the substance of the sinner is preserved for the just.

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

Much nourishment is in the fallow land of the fathers. But for others, it is gathered without judgment.

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

He who spares the rod hates his son. But he who loves him urgently instructs him.

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

The just eats and fills his soul. But the belly of the impious is never satisfied.