Proverbs 13

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

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

2 A man shall eat good by the fruit of his mouth; but the soul of the treacherous, violence.

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

3 He that guardeth his mouth keepeth his soul; destruction shall be to him that openeth wide his lips.

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

4 A sluggard's soul desireth and hath nothing; but the soul of the diligent shall be made fat.

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

5 A righteous [man] hateth lying; but the wicked maketh himself odious and cometh to shame.

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

6 Righteousness preserveth him that is perfect in the way; but wickedness overthroweth the sinner.

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

7 There is that feigneth himself rich, and hath nothing; there is that maketh himself poor, and hath great wealth.

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

8 The ransom of a man's life is his riches; but the indigent heareth not rebuke.

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

9 The light of the righteous rejoiceth; but the lamp of the wicked shall be put out.

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

10 By pride there only cometh contention; but with the well-advised is wisdom.

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

11 Wealth [gotten] by vanity diminisheth; but he that gathereth by manual-labour shall increase [it].

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

12 Hope deferred maketh the heart sick; but the desire [that] cometh to pass is a tree of life.

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

13 Whoso despiseth the word shall be held by it; but he that feareth the commandment shall be rewarded.

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

14 The teaching of the wise [man] is a fountain of life, to turn away from the snares of death.

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

15 Good understanding procureth favour; but the way of the treacherous is hard.

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

16 Every prudent [man] acteth with knowledge; but the foolish layeth open [his] folly.

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

17 A wicked messenger falleth into evil; but a faithful ambassador is health.

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

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

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

19 The desire accomplished is sweet to the soul; but it is abomination to the foolish to depart from evil.

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

20 He that walketh with wise [men] becometh wise; but a companion of the foolish will be depraved.

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

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

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

22 A good man leaveth an inheritance to his children's children; but the wealth of the sinner is laid up for the righteous [man].

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

23 Much food is in the tillage of the poor; but there is that is lost for want of judgment.

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

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

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

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

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