Proverbs 13:12–19

Hope deferred makes the heart sick,

but a desire fulfilled is a tree of life.

Whoever despises the word brings destruction on himself,

but he who reveres the commandment will be rewarded.

The teaching of the wise is a fountain of life,

that one may turn away from the snares of death.

Good sense wins favor,

but the way of the treacherous is their ruin.

Every prudent man acts with knowledge,

but a fool flaunts his folly.

A wicked messenger falls into trouble,

but a faithful envoy brings healing.

Poverty and disgrace come to him who ignores instruction,

but whoever heeds reproof is honored.

A desire fulfilled is sweet to the soul,

but to turn away from evil is an abomination to fools.

Hope deferred makes the heart sick,

but a longing fulfilled is a tree of life.

Whoever scorns instruction will pay for it,

but whoever respects a command is rewarded.

The teaching of the wise is a fountain of life,

turning a person from the snares of death.

Good judgment wins favor,

but the way of the unfaithful leads to their destruction.

All who are prudent act with knowledge,

but fools expose their folly.

A wicked messenger falls into trouble,

but a trustworthy envoy brings healing.

Whoever disregards discipline comes to poverty and shame,

but whoever heeds correction is honored.

A longing fulfilled is sweet to the soul,

but fools detest turning from evil.

Hope delayed makes the heart sick,

but desire fulfilled is a tree of life.

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

but the one who respects a command will be rewarded.

A wise person’s instruction is a fountain of life,

turning people away from the snares of death.

Good sense wins favor,

but the way of the treacherous never changes.

Every sensible person acts knowledgeably,

but a fool displays his stupidity.

A wicked envoy falls into trouble,

but a trustworthy courier brings healing.

Poverty and disgrace come to those

who ignore discipline,

but the one who accepts correction will be honored.

Desire fulfilled is sweet to the taste,

but to turn from evil is detestable to fools.

Hope deferred makes the heart sick,

but a dream fulfilled is a tree of life.

People who despise advice are asking for trouble;

those who respect a command will succeed.

The instruction of the wise is like a life-giving fountain;

those who accept it avoid the snares of death.

A person with good sense is respected;

a treacherous person is headed for destruction.

Wise people think before they act;

fools don’t—and even brag about their foolishness.

An unreliable messenger stumbles into trouble,

but a reliable messenger brings healing.

If you ignore criticism, you will end in poverty and disgrace;

if you accept correction, you will be honored.

It is pleasant to see dreams come true,

but fools refuse to turn from evil to attain them.

Hope that is deferred makes the heart sick,

but a desire fulfilled is a tree of life.

He who despises a word will bring destruction on himself,

but he who respects a commandment will be rewarded.

The teaching of the wise is a fountain of life,

in order to avoid the snares of death.

Good sense grants favor,

but the way of the faithless is coarse.

Anyone who is clever will act with intelligence,

but the fool will display folly.

A messenger of wickedness will fall into trouble,

but an envoy of the faithful brings healing.

Poverty and disgrace belong to him who ignores instruction,

but he who guards reproof will be honored.

A desire fulfilled will be sweet to the soul,

but an abomination of fools is turning from evil.

Hope deferred maketh the heart sick:

But when the desire cometh, it is a tree of life.

Whoso despiseth the word shall be destroyed:

But he that feareth the commandment shall be rewarded.

The law of the wise is a fountain of life,

To depart from the snares of death.

Good understanding giveth favour:

But the way of transgressors is hard.

Every prudent man dealeth with knowledge:

But a fool layeth open his folly.

A wicked messenger falleth into mischief:

But a faithful ambassador is health.

Poverty and shame shall be to him that refuseth instruction:

But he that regardeth reproof shall be honoured.

The desire accomplished is sweet to the soul:

But it is abomination to fools to depart from evil.