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 transgressors shall eat violence.

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

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

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

4 The soul of the sluggard 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 a wicked man is loathsome, and cometh to shame.

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

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

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

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

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 poor 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 Only by pride 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 shall be diminished: but he that gathereth by labour shall increase.

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

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

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

13 Whoever despiseth the word shall be destroyed: 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 law of the wise is a fountain of life, to depart 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 giveth favour: but the way of transgressors is hard.

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

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

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

17 A wicked messenger falleth into mischief: 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 fools 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 shall be wise: but a companion of fools shall be destroyed.

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 rewarded with prosperity.

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

22 A good man leaveth an inheritance to his children’s children: and the wealth of the sinner 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 Much food is in the fallow ground of the poor: but there is that is destroyed for lack 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 early.

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.