Proverbs 13:1–25

A wise son heeds his father’s instruction,

but a mocker does not respond to rebukes.^q

²From the fruit of their lips people enjoy good things,^r

but the unfaithful have an appetite for violence.

³Those who guard their lips^s preserve their lives,^t

but those who speak rashly will come to ruin.^u

⁴A sluggard’s appetite is never filled,^v

but the desires of the diligent are fully satisfied.

⁵The righteous hate what is false,^w

but the wicked make themselves a stench

and bring shame on themselves.

⁶Righteousness guards the person of integrity,

but wickedness overthrows the sinner.^x

⁷One person pretends to be rich, yet has nothing;^y

another pretends to be poor, yet has great wealth.^z

⁸A person’s riches may ransom their life,

but the poor cannot respond to threatening rebukes.^a

⁹The light of the righteous shines brightly,

but the lamp of the wicked is snuffed out.^b

¹⁰Where there is strife, there is pride,

but wisdom is found in those who take advice.^c

¹¹Dishonest money dwindles away,^d

but whoever gathers money little by little makes it grow.

¹²Hope deferred makes the heart sick,

but a longing fulfilled is a tree of life.^e

¹³Whoever scorns instruction will pay for it,^f

but whoever respects^g a command is rewarded.^h

¹⁴The teaching of the wise is a fountain of life,ⁱ

turning a person from the snares of death.^j

¹⁵Good judgment wins favor,

but the way of the unfaithful leads to their destruction.^a

¹⁶All who are prudent act with^b knowledge,

but fools expose^k their folly.^l

¹⁷A wicked messenger falls into trouble,^m

but a trustworthy envoy brings healing.ⁿ

¹⁸Whoever disregards discipline comes to poverty and shame,^o

but whoever heeds correction is honored.^p

¹⁹A longing fulfilled is sweet to the soul,^q

but fools detest turning from evil.

²⁰Walk with the wise and become wise,

for a companion of fools suffers harm.^r

²¹Trouble pursues the sinner,^s

but the righteous^t are rewarded with good things.^u

²²A good person leaves an inheritance for their children’s children,

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

²³An unplowed field produces food for the poor,

but injustice sweeps it away.

²⁴Whoever spares the rod^w hates their children,

but the one who loves their children is careful to discipline^x them.^y

²⁵The righteous eat to their hearts’ content,

but the stomach of the wicked goes hungry.^z