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13 By the sin of their lips the wicked are ensnared,
    but the just escape from a tight spot.
14 From the fruit of their mouths people have their fill of good,(A)
    and the works of their hands come back upon them.[a]
15 The way of fools is right in their own eyes,
    but those who listen to advice are the wise.

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Footnotes

  1. 12:14 The saying contrasts words and deeds. “Fruit” here is not what one normally eats, as in 1:31; 8:19; 31:16, 31, but the consequences of one’s actions. In the second line the things that issue from one’s hands (one’s deeds) come back to one in recompense or punishment. Prv 13:2a and 18:20 are variants. Cf. Mt 7:17; Gal 6:8.

13 Evildoers are trapped by their sinful talk,(A)
    and so the innocent escape trouble.(B)

14 From the fruit of their lips people are filled with good things,(C)
    and the work of their hands brings them reward.(D)

15 The way of fools seems right to them,(E)
    but the wise listen to advice.(F)

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