Proverbs 13
1 A WISE son [heareth] his father’s instruction: but a scorner heareth not rebuke.
A wise son hears his father's instruction, but a mocker will not listen to rebuke.
2 A man shall eat good by the fruit of his mouth: but the soul of the treacherous [shall eat] violence.
From the fruit of his mouth a person enjoys good things, but the appetite of the treacherous is for violence.
3 He that guardeth his mouth keepeth his life: [but] he that openeth wide his lips shall have destruction.
The one who guards his mouth protects his life, but the one who opens wide his lips will ruin himself.
4 The soul of the sluggard desireth, and hath nothing: but the soul of the diligent shall be made fat.
The appetite of lazy people craves but gets nothing, but the appetite of diligent people will be richly satisfied.
5 A righteous man hateth lying: but a wicked man is loathsome, and cometh to shame.
The righteous person hates lies, but a wicked person makes himself repugnant, and he does what is shameful.
6 Righteousness guardeth him that is upright in the way: but wickedness overthroweth the sinner.
Righteousness protects those who are faultless in their path, but wickedness turns away those who commit sin.
7 There is that maketh himself rich, yet hath nothing: there is that maketh himself poor, yet hath great wealth.
There is someone who enriches himself, but has nothing at all, and there is someone who gives everything away, yet is truly wealthy.
8 The ransom of a man’s life is his riches: but the poor heareth no threatening.
The ransom of a rich man's life is his wealth, but a poor person does not hear a threat.
9 The light of the righteous rejoiceth: but the lamp of the wicked shall be put out.
The light of righteous people rejoices, but the lamp of wicked people will be put out.
10 By pride cometh only contention: but with the well advised is wisdom.
Pride only breeds conflict, but for those who listen to good advice there is wisdom.
11 Wealth gotten by vanity shall be diminished: but he that gathereth by labour shall have increase.
Wealth dwindles away when there is too much vanity, but the one who makes money by working with his hand will make his money grow.
12 Hope deferred maketh the heart sick: but when the desire cometh, it is a tree of life.
When hope is postponed, it breaks the heart, but a longing fulfilled is a tree of life.
13 Whoso despiseth the word bringeth destruction on himself: but he that feareth the commandment shall be rewarded.
Whoever despises instruction brings destruction on himself, but he who respects the commandment will be rewarded.
14 The law of the wise is a fountain of life, to depart from the snares of death.
The teaching of a wise person is a fountain of life, turning you away from the snares of death.
15 Good understanding giveth favour: but the way of the treacherous is rugged.
Good insight wins favor, but the way of the treacherous is never-ending.
16 Every prudent man worketh with knowledge: but a fool spreadeth out folly.
Prudent people act out of knowledge in every decision, but a fool parades his folly.
17 A wicked messenger falleth into evil: but a faithful ambassador is health.
A wicked messenger falls into trouble, but a faithful envoy brings reconciliation.
18 Poverty and shame [shall be to] him that refuseth correction: but he that regardeth reproof shall be honoured.
The one who ignores instruction will have poverty and shame, but honor will come to him who learns from correction.
19 The desire accomplished is sweet to the soul: but it is an abomination to fools to depart from evil.
A longing realized is sweet to the appetite, but fools hate to turn away from evil.
20 Walk with wise men, and thou shalt be wise: but the companion of fools shall smart for it.
Walk with wise people and you will be wise, but the companion of fools will suffer harm.
21 Evil pursueth sinners: but the righteous shall be recompensed with good.
Disaster runs after sinners, but righteous people are rewarded with good.
22 A good man leaveth an inheritance to his children’s children; and the wealth of the sinner is laid up for the righteous.
A good person leaves an inheritance for his grandchildren, but a sinner's wealth is stored up for the righteous person.
23 Much food [is in] the tillage of the poor: but there is that is destroyed by reason of injustice.
An unplowed field owned by the poor could produce much food, but it is swept away by injustice.
24 He that spareth his rod hateth his son: but he that loveth him chasteneth him betimes.
The one who does not discipline his son hates him, but one who loves his son is careful to instruct him.
25 The righteous eateth to the satisfying of his soul: but the belly of the wicked shall want.
The righteous person eats until he satisfies his appetite, but the stomach of the wicked is always hungry.
