Proverbs 13
1 A wise son is obedient to his father: but a disobedient son will be destroyed.
A wise son accepts his father's discipline, but a mocker doesn't listen to correction.
2 A good [man] shall eat of the fruits of righteousness: but the lives of transgressors shall perish before their time.
You'll be rewarded for saying good things, but dishonest people want violence.
3 He that keeps his own mouth keeps his own life: but he that is hasty with his lips shall bring terror upon himself.
Watch what you say and save your life—saying too much leads to disaster.
4 Every slothful man desires, but the hands of the active are diligent.
Lazy people want a lot, but get nothing; if you work hard you'll be well rewarded.
5 A righteous man hates an unjust word: but an ungodly man is ashamed, and will have no confidence.
Good people hate lies, but the wicked cause a stink and bring disgrace.
Goodness protects those who live right, but sin overcomes the wicked.
7 There are [some] who, having nothing, enrich themselves: and there are [some] who bring themselves down in [the midst of] much wealth.
Some pretend to be rich, but don't have anything, while others pretend to be poor and are very rich.
8 A man's own wealth is the ransom of his life: but the poor endures not threatening.
The rich can pay a ransom to save their lives, but the poor aren't troubled in this way.
9 The righteous always have light: but the light of the ungodly is quenched. Crafty souls go astray in sins: but just men pity, and are merciful.
The life of good people shines brightly, but the lamp of the wicked will be snuffed out.
10 A bad man does evil with insolence: but they that are judges of themselves are wise.
Pride only causes conflict; but those who take advice are wise.
11 Wealth gotten hastily with iniquity is diminished: but he that gathers for himself with godliness shall be increased. The righteous is merciful, and lends.
Wealth gained by fraud quickly disappears, but those who gather bit by bit prosper.
12 Better is he that begins to help heartily, than he that promises and leads [another] to hope: for a good desire is a tree of life.
Hope that's delayed makes you feel sick, but a wish that comes true revives you.
13 He that slights a matter shall be slighted of it: but he that fears the commandment has health [of soul]. To a crafty son there shall be nothing good: but a wise servant shall have prosperous doings, and his way shall be directed aright.
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 law of the wise is fountain of life: but the man void of understanding shall die by a snare.
The teaching of the wise is like a fountain of life, so you can avoid the snares of death.
15 Sound discretion gives favor, and to know the law is the part of a sound understanding: but the ways of scorners tend to destruction.
Good sense earns appreciation, but the way of the unfaithful is hard.
16 Every prudent man acts with knowledge: but the fool displays his own mischief.
All wise people act intelligently, but stupid people demonstrate their stupidity.
17 A rash king shall fall into mischief: but a wise messenger shall deliver him.
A bad messenger creates trouble, but a faithful representative brings healing.
18 Instruction removes poverty and disgrace: but he that attends to reproofs shall be honored.
Poverty and disgrace come to those who ignore instruction, but those who accept correction are honored.
19 The desires of the godly gladden the soul, but the works of the ungodly are far from knowledge.
It's nice to see a wish come true, but stupid people hate to turn away from evil to achieve this.
20 If you walk with wise men you shall be wise: but he that walks with fools shall be known.
Being friends with wise people will make you wise, but being friends with stupid people will only cause you problems.
21 Evil shall pursue sinners; but good shall overtake the righteous.
Tragedy chases after the sinner, but prosperity rewards the good.
22 A good man shall inherit children's children; and the wealth of ungodly men is laid up for the just.
Good people leave an inheritance to their grandchildren, but the sinner's wealth is saved for those who live right.
23 The righteous shall spend many years in wealth: but the unrighteous shall perish suddenly.
The unploughed ground of the poor could produce a lot of food, but it's stolen through injustice.
24 He that spares the rod hates his son: but he that loves, carefully chastens [him].
People who don't discipline their children hate them. Those who love their children carefully discipline them.
25 A just [man] eats and satisfies his soul: but the souls of the ungodly are in lack.
The good eat until they're full; but the belly of the wicked is empty.
