Proverbs 13

A wise son heeds his father

A wise son heeds his father’s instruction, but a mocker does not respond to rebukes.a ²From the fruit of their lips people enjoy good things, but the unfaithful have an appetite for violence.b ³Those who guard their lips preserve their lives, but those who speak rashly will come to ruin.c

⁴A sluggard’s appetite is never filled, but the desires of the diligent are fully satisfied.d ⁵The righteous hate what is false, but the wicked make themselves a stench and bring shame on themselves.e ⁶Righteousness guards the person of integrity, but wickedness overthrows the sinner.

⁷One person pretends to be rich, yet has nothing; another pretends to be poor, yet has great wealth.f ⁸A person’s riches may ransom their life, but the poor cannot respond to threatening rebukes. ⁹The light of the righteous shines brightly, but the lamp of the wicked is snuffed out.g

¹⁰Where there is strife, there is pride, but wisdom is found in those who take advice. ¹¹Dishonest money dwindles away, but whoever gathers money little by little makes it grow.h ¹²Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but a longing fulfilled is a tree of life.i

¹³Whoever scorns instruction will pay for it, but whoever respects a command is rewarded.j ¹⁴The teaching of the wise is a fountain of life, turning a person from the snares of death. ¹⁵Good judgment wins favor, but the way of the unfaithful leads to their destruction.k

¹⁶All who are prudent act with knowledge, but fools expose their folly. ¹⁷A wicked messenger falls into trouble, but a trustworthy envoy brings healing. ¹⁸Whoever disregards discipline comes to poverty and shame, but whoever heeds correction is honored.

¹⁹A longing fulfilled is sweet to the soul, but fools detest turning from evil. ²⁰Walk with the wise and become wise, for a companion of fools suffers harm.l ²¹Trouble pursues the sinner, but the righteous are rewarded with good things.m

²²A good person leaves an inheritance for their children’s children, but a sinner’s wealth is stored up for the righteous.n ²³An unplowed field produces food for the poor, but injustice sweeps it away. ²⁴Whoever spares the rod hates their children, but the one who loves their children is careful to discipline them.o

²⁵The righteous eat to their hearts’ content, but the stomach of the wicked goes hungry.