Proverbs 13:20–14:13

20  Whoever walks with the wise becomes wise,

but the companion of fools will suffer harm.

21  xDisaster8 pursues sinners,

ybut the righteous are rewarded with good.

22  zA good man leaves an inheritance to his children’s children,

but athe sinner’s wealth is laid up for the righteous.

23  The fallow ground of the poor would yield much food,

but it is swept away through binjustice.

24  cWhoever spares the rod hates his son,

but he who loves him is diligent to discipline him.9

25  dThe righteous has enough to satisfy his appetite,

but the belly of the wicked suffers want.

14 eThe wisest of women fbuilds her house,

but folly with her own hands gtears it down.

2  Whoever hwalks in uprightness fears the Lord,

but he who is idevious in his ways despises him.

3  By the mouth of a fool comes ja rod for his back,1

kbut the lips of the wise will preserve them.

4  Where there are no oxen, the manger is clean,

but abundant crops come by the strength of the ox.

5  lA faithful witness does not lie,

but ma false witness breathes out lies.

6  nA scoffer seeks wisdom oin vain,

but pknowledge is easy for a man of understanding.

7  Leave the presence of a fool,

for there you do not meet words of knowledge.

8  The wisdom of the prudent is to discern his way,

but the folly of fools is deceiving.

9  qFools mock at the guilt offering,

but the upright enjoy acceptance.2

10  The heart knows its own rbitterness,

and no stranger shares its joy.

11  sThe house of the wicked will be destroyed,

but the tent of the upright will flourish.

12  tThere is a way that seems right to a man,

but uits end is the way to death.3

13  Even in laughter the heart may ache,

and vthe end of joy may be wgrief.