Chapter
Verse

Proverbs chapter 13

English Standard Version

1A wise son hears his father 's instruction, but a scoffer does not listen to rebuke. 2From the fruit of his mouth a man eats what is good, but the desire of the treacherous is for violence. 3 Whoever guards his mouth preserves his life; he who opens wide his lips comes to ruin. 4 The soul of the sluggard craves and gets nothing, while the soul of the diligent is richly supplied. 5The righteous hates falsehood, but the wicked brings shame and disgrace. 6 Righteousness guards him whose way is blameless, but sin overthrows the wicked. 7 One pretends to be rich, yet has nothing; another pretends to be poor, yet has great wealth. 8The ransom of a man 's life is his wealth, but a poor man hears no threat. 9 The light of the righteous rejoices, but the lamp of the wicked will be put out. 10 By insolence comes nothing but strife, but with those who take advice is wisdom. 11 Wealth gained hastily will dwindle, but whoever gathers little by little will increase it. 12Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but a desire fulfilled is a tree of life. 13Whoever despises the word brings destruction on himself, but he who reveres the commandment will be rewarded. 14The teaching of the wise is a fountain of life, that one may turn away from the snares of death. 15 Good sense wins favor, but the way of the treacherous is their ruin. 16 Every prudent man acts with knowledge, but a fool flaunts his folly. 17A wicked messenger falls into trouble, but a faithful envoy brings healing. 18Poverty and disgrace come to him who ignores instruction, but whoever heeds reproof is honored. 19 A desire fulfilled is sweet to the soul, but to turn away from evil is an abomination to fools. 20Whoever walks with the wise becomes wise, but the companion of fools will suffer harm. 21 Disaster pursues sinners, but the righteous are rewarded with good. 22 A good man leaves an inheritance to his children 's children, but the sinner 's wealth is laid up for the righteous. 23The fallow ground of the poor would yield much food, but it is swept away through injustice. 24 Whoever spares the rod hates his son, but he who loves him is diligent to discipline him. 25 The righteous has enough to satisfy his appetite, but the belly of the wicked suffers want.
New International Version

New American Standard Bible

1A wise son accepts his father’s discipline, But a scoffer does not listen to rebuke. 2From the fruit of a person’s mouth he enjoys good, But the desire of the treacherous is violence. 3One who guards his mouth protects his life; One who opens wide his lips comes to ruin. 4The soul of the lazy one craves and gets nothing, But the soul of the diligent is made prosperous. 5A righteous person hates a false statement, But a wicked person acts disgustingly and shamefully. 6Righteousness guards the one whose way is blameless, But wickedness brings the sinner to ruin. 7There is one who pretends to be rich but has nothing; Another pretends to be poor, but has great wealth. 8The ransom of a person’s life is his wealth, But the poor hears no rebuke. 9The light of the righteous rejoices, But the lamp of the wicked goes out. 10Through overconfidence comes nothing but strife, But wisdom is with those who receive counsel. 11Wealth obtained from nothing dwindles, But one who gathers by labor increases it. 12Hope deferred makes the heart sick, But desire fulfilled is a tree of life. 13One who despises the word will do badly, But one who fears the commandment will be rewarded. 14The teaching of the wise is a fountain of life, To turn aside from the snares of death. 15Good understanding produces favor, But the way of the treacherous is their own disaster. 16Every prudent person acts with knowledge, But a fool displays foolishness. 17A wicked messenger falls into adversity, But a faithful messenger brings healing. 18Poverty and shame will come to one who neglects discipline, But one who complies with rebuke will be honored. 19Desire realized is sweet to the soul, But it is an abomination to fools to turn away from evil. 20One who walks with wise people will be wise, But a companion of fools will suffer harm. 21Adversity pursues sinners, But the righteous will be rewarded with prosperity. 22A good person leaves an inheritance to his grandchildren, And the wealth of a sinner is stored up for the righteous. 23Abundant food is in the uncultivated ground of the poor, But it is swept away by injustice. 24He who withholds his rod hates his son, But he who loves him disciplines him diligently. 25The righteous has enough to satisfy his appetite, But the stomach of the wicked is in need.
Christian Standard Bible

New Living Translation

King James Version

New King James Version

1A wise son heeds his father’s instruction, But a scoffer does not listen to rebuke. 2 A man shall eat well by the fruit of his mouth, But the soul of the unfaithful feeds on violence. 3 He who guards his mouth preserves his life, But he who opens wide his lips shall have destruction. 4 The soul of a lazy man desires, and has nothing; But the soul of the diligent shall be made rich. 5A righteous man hates lying, But a wicked man is loathsome and comes to shame. 6 Righteousness guards him whose way is blameless, But wickedness overthrows the sinner. 7 There is one who makes himself rich, yet has nothing; And one who makes himself poor, yet has great riches. 8The ransom of a man’s life is his riches, But the poor does not hear rebuke. 9The light of the righteous rejoices, But the lamp of the wicked will be put out. 10By pride comes nothing but strife, But with the well-advised is wisdom. 11 Wealth gained by dishonesty will be diminished, But he who gathers by labor will increase. 12Hope deferred makes the heart sick, But when the desire comes, it is a tree of life. 13He who despises the word will be destroyed, But he who fears the commandment will be rewarded. 14 The law of the wise is a fountain of life, To turn one away from the snares of death. 15Good understanding gains favor, But the way of the unfaithful is hard. 16 Every prudent man acts with knowledge, But a fool lays open his folly. 17A wicked messenger falls into trouble, But a faithful ambassador brings health. 18Poverty and shame will come to him who disdains correction, But he who regards a rebuke will be honored. 19A desire accomplished is sweet to the soul, But it is an abomination to fools to depart from evil. 20He who walks with wise men will be wise, But the companion of fools will be destroyed. 21 Evil pursues sinners, But to the righteous, good shall be repaid. 22A good man leaves an inheritance to his children’s children, But the wealth of the sinner is stored up for the righteous. 23 Much food is in the fallow ground of the poor, And for lack of justice there is waste. 24 He who spares his rod hates his son, But he who loves him disciplines him promptly. 25 The righteous eats to the satisfying of his soul, But the stomach of the wicked shall be in want.

What does Proverbs chapter 13 mean?

The prior chapter contained several lessons on lifestyle and speech. The early part of chapter 13 echoes statements from the middle part of chapter 12, with an emphasis on speech. Advice is given to take control of one's words, for the sake of self and for the sake of others (Proverbs 13:1–3).

Solomon also explains proper attitudes towards honesty and godliness, especially as those connect with worldly success. These lessons echo other comments from the book of Proverbs on the natural consequences of sin. Much is made of the risks sin brings. Likewise, hard work presents growth while laziness leads to disaster (Proverbs 13:4–11).

The last segment of this chapter includes references to companionship, taking advice, justice, and additional references to the consequences of sin. Solomon notes the difficult experience of unrealized hopes. Good sense, coming from godly wisdom, tends to lead to a good reputation and better success. Parallel to that, befriending godly people is much better than the risks of associating with those who reject God. Discipline, both from God, and towards one's own children, is a good thing when done properly. In all these things, contentment is a sign of godliness (Proverbs 13:12–25).
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