Proverbs 13

A wise child heeds a parent’s instruction,

but a mocker does not respond to rebukes.^c

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

but the unfaithful have an appetite for violence.

Those who guard their lips^e preserve their lives,^f

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

A sluggard’s appetite is never filled,^h

but the desires of the diligent are fully satisfied.

The righteous hate what is false,ⁱ

but the wicked make themselves a stench

and are filled with shame.

Righteousness guards the person of integrity,

but wickedness overthrows the sinner.^j

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

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

The rich may be able to ransom their lives,

but the poor cannot respond to threatening rebukes.^m

The light of the righteous shines brightly,

but the lamp of the wicked is snuffed out.ⁿ

Where there is strife, there is pride,

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

Dishonest money dwindles away,^p

but whoever gathers money little by little makes it grow.

Hope deferred makes the heart sick,

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

Whoever scorns instruction will pay for it,^r

but whoever respects^s a command is rewarded.^t

The teaching of the wise is a fountain of life,^u

turning a person from the snares of death.^v

Good judgment wins favor,

but the way of the unfaithful leads to their destruction.

All who are prudent act with knowledge,

but fools expose^w their folly.^x

A wicked messenger falls into trouble,^y

but a trustworthy envoy brings healing.^z

Whoever disregards discipline comes to poverty and shame,^a

but whoever heeds correction is honored.^b

A longing fulfilled is sweet to the soul,^c

but fools detest turning from evil.

Walk with the wise and become wise,

for a companion of fools suffers harm.^d

Trouble pursues the sinner,^e

but the righteous^f are rewarded with good things.^g

Good people leave an inheritance for their children’s children,

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

An unplowed field produces food for the poor,

but injustice sweeps it away.

Those who spare the rodⁱ hate their children,

but those who love them are careful to discipline^j them.^k

The righteous eat to their hearts’ content,

but the stomach of the wicked goes hungry.^l