Proverbs 13

A wise son heeds his father

A wise son heeds his father’s discipline, but a mocker does not listen to rebuke.a ²From the fruit of his lips a man enjoys good things, but the desire of the faithless is violence.b ³He who guards his mouth protects his life, but the one who opens his lips invites his own ruin.c

⁴The slacker craves yet has nothing, but the soul of the diligent is fully satisfied.d ⁵The righteous hate falsehood, but the wicked bring shame and disgrace.e ⁶Righteousness guards the man of integrity, but wickedness undermines the sinner.

⁷One pretends to be rich, but has nothing; another pretends to be poor, yet has great wealth.f ⁸Riches may ransom a man’s life, but a poor man hears no threat. ⁹The light of the righteous shines brightly, but the lamp of the wicked is extinguished.g

¹⁰Arrogance leads only to strife, but wisdom is with the well-advised. ¹¹Dishonest wealth will dwindle, but what is earned through hard work will be multiplied.h ¹²Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but desire fulfilled is a tree of life.i

¹³He who despises instruction will pay the penalty, but the one who respects a command will be rewarded.j ¹⁴The teaching of the wise is a fountain of life, turning one from the snares of death. ¹⁵Good understanding wins favor, but the way of the faithless is difficult.k

¹⁶Every prudent man acts with knowledge, but a fool displays his folly. ¹⁷A wicked messenger falls into trouble, but a faithful envoy brings healing. ¹⁸Poverty and shame come to him who ignores discipline, but whoever heeds correction is honored.

¹⁹Desire fulfilled is sweet to the soul, but turning from evil is detestable to fools. ²⁰He who walks with the wise will become wise, but the companion of fools will be destroyed.l ²¹Disaster pursues sinners, but prosperity is the reward of the righteous.m

²²A good man leaves an inheritance to his children’s children, but the sinner’s wealth is passed to the righteous.n ²³Abundant food is in the fallow ground of the poor, but without justice it is swept away. ²⁴He who spares the rod hates his son, but he who loves him disciplines him diligently.o

²⁵A righteous man eats to his heart’s content, but the stomach of the wicked is empty.