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13 A wise son -- the instruction of a father, And a scorner -- he hath not heard rebuke.

From the fruit of the mouth a man eateth good, And the soul of the treacherous -- violence.

Whoso is keeping his mouth, is keeping his soul, Whoso is opening wide his lips -- ruin to him!

The soul of the slothful is desiring, and hath not. And the soul of the diligent is made fat.

A false word the righteous hateth, And the wicked causeth abhorrence, and is confounded.

Righteousness keepeth him who is perfect in the way, And wickedness overthroweth a sin offering.

There is who is making himself rich, and hath nothing, Who is making himself poor, and wealth [is] abundant.

The ransom of a man's life [are] his riches, And the poor hath not heard rebuke.

The light of the righteous rejoiceth, And the lamp of the wicked is extinguished.

10 A vain man through pride causeth debate, And with the counselled [is] wisdom.

11 Wealth from vanity becometh little, And whoso is gathering by the hand becometh great.

12 Hope prolonged is making the heart sick, And a tree of life [is] the coming desire.

13 Whoso is despising the Word is destroyed for it, And whoso is fearing the Command is repayed.

14 The law of the wise [is] a fountain of life, To turn aside from snares of death.

15 Good understanding giveth grace, And the way of the treacherous [is] hard.

16 Every prudent one dealeth with knowledge, And a fool spreadeth out folly.

17 A wicked messenger falleth into evil, And a faithful ambassador is healing.

18 Whoso is refusing instruction -- poverty and shame, And whoso is observing reproof is honoured.

19 A desire accomplished is sweet to the soul, And an abomination to fools [is]: Turn from evil.

20 Whoso is walking with wise men is wise, And a companion of fools suffereth evil.

21 Evil pursueth sinners, And good recompenseth the righteous.

22 A good man causeth sons' sons to inherit, And laid up for the righteous [is] the sinner's wealth.

23 Abundance of food -- the tillage of the poor, And substance is consumed without judgment.

24 Whoso is sparing his rod is hating his son, And whoso is loving him hath hastened him chastisement.

25 The righteous is eating to the satiety of his soul, And the belly of the wicked lacketh!

13 A wise son heeds his father’s instruction,
    but a mocker does not respond to rebukes.(A)

From the fruit of their lips people enjoy good things,(B)
    but the unfaithful have an appetite for violence.

Those who guard their lips(C) preserve their lives,(D)
    but those who speak rashly will come to ruin.(E)

A sluggard’s appetite is never filled,(F)
    but the desires of the diligent are fully satisfied.

The righteous hate what is false,(G)
    but the wicked make themselves a stench
    and bring shame on themselves.

Righteousness guards the person of integrity,
    but wickedness overthrows the sinner.(H)

One person pretends to be rich, yet has nothing;(I)
    another pretends to be poor, yet has great wealth.(J)

A person’s riches may ransom their life,
    but the poor cannot respond to threatening rebukes.(K)

The light of the righteous shines brightly,
    but the lamp of the wicked is snuffed out.(L)

10 Where there is strife, there is pride,
    but wisdom is found in those who take advice.(M)

11 Dishonest money dwindles away,(N)
    but whoever gathers money little by little makes it grow.

12 Hope deferred makes the heart sick,
    but a longing fulfilled is a tree of life.(O)

13 Whoever scorns instruction will pay for it,(P)
    but whoever respects(Q) a command is rewarded.(R)

14 The teaching of the wise is a fountain of life,(S)
    turning a person from the snares of death.(T)

15 Good judgment wins favor,
    but the way of the unfaithful leads to their destruction.[a]

16 All who are prudent act with[b] knowledge,
    but fools expose(U) their folly.(V)

17 A wicked messenger falls into trouble,(W)
    but a trustworthy envoy brings healing.(X)

18 Whoever disregards discipline comes to poverty and shame,(Y)
    but whoever heeds correction is honored.(Z)

19 A longing fulfilled is sweet to the soul,(AA)
    but fools detest turning from evil.

20 Walk with the wise and become wise,
    for a companion of fools suffers harm.(AB)

21 Trouble pursues the sinner,(AC)
    but the righteous(AD) are rewarded with good things.(AE)

22 A good person leaves an inheritance for their children’s children,
    but a sinner’s wealth is stored up for the righteous.(AF)

23 An unplowed field produces food for the poor,
    but injustice sweeps it away.

24 Whoever spares the rod(AG) hates their children,
    but the one who loves their children is careful to discipline(AH) them.(AI)

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

Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 13:15 Septuagint and Syriac; the meaning of the Hebrew for this phrase is uncertain.
  2. Proverbs 13:16 Or prudent protect themselves through