Proverbs 13:1–25

A wise son responds to his father’s discipline,

but a mocker doesn’t listen to rebuke.

²From the words of his mouth,

a man will enjoy good things, ^a

but treacherous people have an appetite for violence. ^b

³The one who guards his mouth protects his life; ^c

the one who opens his lips invites his own ruin. ^d

⁴The slacker craves, yet has nothing,

but the diligent is fully satisfied. ^e

⁵The righteous hate lying,

but the wicked act disgustingly and disgracefully.

⁶Righteousness guards people of integrity, ^f

but wickedness undermines the sinner. ^g

⁷One man pretends to be rich but has nothing; ^h

another pretends to be poor but has great wealth. ⁱ

⁸Riches are a ransom for a man’s life, ^j

but a poor man hears no threat.

⁹The light of the righteous shines brightly, ^k

but the lamp of the wicked is put out. ^l

¹⁰Arrogance leads to nothing but strife, ^m

but wisdom is gained by those who take advice.

¹¹Wealth obtained by fraud will dwindle, ⁿ

but whoever earns it through labor ^owill multiply it. ^p

¹²Delayed hope makes the heart sick,

but fulfilled desire is a tree of life. ^q

¹³The one who has contempt for instruction will pay the penalty, ^r

but the one who respects a command will be rewarded. ^s

¹⁴A wise man’s instruction is a fountain of life, ^t

turning people away from the snares of death. ^u

¹⁵Good sense wins favor, ^v

but the way of the treacherous never changes. ^w

¹⁶Every sensible person acts knowledgeably,

but a fool displays his stupidity. ^x

¹⁷A wicked messenger falls into trouble,

but a trustworthy courier brings healing. ^y

¹⁸Poverty and disgrace come to those

who ignore discipline,

but the one who accepts correction will be honored. ^z

¹⁹Desire fulfilled is sweet to the taste,

but to turn from evil ^a

is an abomination to fools.

²⁰The one who walks with the wise will become wise,

but a companion of fools will suffer harm.

²¹Disaster pursues sinners,

but good rewards the righteous. ^b

²²A good man leaves an inheritance to his ^cgrandchildren,

but the sinner’s wealth is stored up for the righteous. ^d

²³The uncultivated field of the poor yields abundant food,

but without justice, it is swept away.

²⁴The one who will not use the rod hates his son, ^e

but the one who loves him disciplines him diligently. ^f

²⁵A righteous man eats until he is satisfied,

but the stomach of the wicked is empty. ^g