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13 A wise son heareth his father’s [a]instruction;
But a scoffer heareth not rebuke.
A man shall eat good [b]by the fruit of his mouth;
But [c]the soul of the treacherous shall eat violence.
He that guardeth his mouth keepeth his life;
But he that openeth wide his lips shall have destruction.
The soul of the sluggard desireth, and hath nothing;
But the soul of the diligent shall be made fat.
A righteous man hateth lying;
But a wicked man [d]is loathsome, and cometh to shame.
Righteousness guardeth [e]him that is upright in the way;
But wickedness overthroweth [f]the sinner.
There is that [g]maketh himself rich, yet hath nothing:
There is that [h]maketh himself poor, yet hath great wealth.
The ransom of a man’s life is his riches;
But the poor heareth no [i]threatening.
The light of the righteous rejoiceth;
But the lamp of the wicked shall be put out.
10 By pride cometh only contention;
But with the well-advised is wisdom.
11 Wealth gotten by vanity shall be diminished;
But he that gathereth [j]by labor shall have increase.
12 Hope deferred maketh the heart sick;
But when the desire cometh, it is a tree of life.
13 Whoso despiseth the word [k]bringeth destruction on himself;
But he that feareth the commandment shall be rewarded.
14 The [l]law of the wise is a fountain of life,
That one may depart from the snares of death.
15 Good understanding [m]giveth favor;
But the way of the transgressor is hard.
16 Every prudent man worketh with knowledge;
But a fool flaunteth his folly.
17 A wicked messenger falleth into evil;
But a faithful ambassador is health.
18 Poverty and shame shall be to him that refuseth [n]correction;
But he that regardeth reproof shall be honored.
19 The desire accomplished is sweet to the soul;
But it is an abomination to fools to depart from evil.
20 [o]Walk with wise men, and thou shalt be wise;
But the companion of fools shall [p]smart for it.
21 Evil pursueth sinners;
But the righteous shall be recompensed with good.
22 A good man leaveth an inheritance to his children’s children;
And the wealth of the sinner is laid up for the righteous.
23 Much food is in the [q]tillage of the poor;
But there is that is destroyed by reason of injustice.
24 He that spareth his rod hateth his son;
But he that loveth him chasteneth him [r]betimes.
25 The righteous eateth to the satisfying of his soul;
But the belly of the wicked shall want.
14 Every wise woman buildeth her house;
But [s]the foolish plucketh it down with her own hands.
He that walketh in his uprightness feareth Jehovah;
But he that is perverse in his ways despiseth him.
In the mouth of the foolish is a rod for his pride;
But the lips of the wise shall preserve them.
Where no oxen are, the crib is clean;
But much increase is by the strength of the ox.
A faithful witness will not lie;
But a false witness [t]uttereth lies.
A scoffer seeketh wisdom, and findeth it not;
But knowledge is easy unto him that hath understanding.
[u]Go into the presence of a foolish man,
And thou shalt not perceive in him the lips of knowledge.
The wisdom of the prudent is to understand his way;
But the folly of fools is deceit.
[v]A trespass-offering mocketh fools;
But among the upright there is [w]good will.
10 The heart knoweth its own bitterness;
And a stranger doth not intermeddle with its joy.
11 The house of the wicked shall be overthrown;
But the tent of the upright shall flourish.
12 There is a way which [x]seemeth right unto a man;
But the end thereof are the ways of death.
13 Even in laughter the heart is sorrowful;
And the end of mirth is heaviness.
14 The backslider in heart shall be filled with his own ways;
And a good man shall be satisfied from himself.
15 The simple believeth every word;
But the prudent man looketh well to his going.
16 A wise man feareth, and departeth from evil;
But the fool beareth himself insolently, and is confident.
17 He that is soon angry will deal foolishly;
And a man of wicked devices is hated.
18 The simple inherit folly;
But the prudent are crowned with knowledge.
19 The evil bow down before the good;
And the wicked, at the gates of the righteous.
20 The poor is hated even of his own neighbor;
But the rich hath many friends.
21 He that despiseth his neighbor sinneth;
But he that hath pity on the poor, happy is he.
22 [y]Do they not err that devise evil?
But mercy and truth shall be to them that devise good.
23 In all labor there is profit;
But the talk of the lips tendeth only to penury.
24 [z]The crown of the wise is their riches;
But the folly of fools is only folly.
25 A true witness delivereth souls;
But he that [aa]uttereth lies causeth deceit.
26 In the fear of Jehovah is strong confidence;
And [ab]his children shall have a place of refuge.
27 The fear of Jehovah is a fountain of life,
That one may depart from the snares of death.
28 In the multitude of people is the king’s glory;
But in the want of people is the destruction of the prince.
29 He that is slow to anger is of great understanding;
But he that is hasty of spirit [ac]exalteth folly.
30 A tranquil heart is the life of the flesh;
But [ad]envy is the rottenness of the bones.
31 He that oppresseth the poor reproacheth his Maker;
But he that hath mercy on the needy honoreth him.
32 The wicked is thrust down in his [ae]evil-doing;
But the righteous hath a refuge in his death.
33 Wisdom resteth in the heart of him that hath understanding;
[af]But that which is in the inward part of fools is made known.
34 Righteousness exalteth a nation;
But sin is a reproach to [ag]any people.
35 The king’s favor is toward a servant that dealeth wisely;
But his wrath will be against him that [ah]causeth shame.
15 A soft answer turneth away wrath;
But a grievous word stirreth up anger.
The tongue of the wise uttereth knowledge aright;
But the mouth of fools poureth out folly.
The eyes of Jehovah are in every place,
Keeping watch upon the evil and the good.
[ai]A gentle tongue is a tree of life;
But perverseness therein is a breaking of the spirit.
A fool despiseth his father’s [aj]correction;
But he that regardeth reproof [ak]getteth prudence.
In the house of the righteous is much treasure;
But in the revenues of the wicked is trouble.
The lips of the wise disperse knowledge;
But the heart of the foolish [al]doeth not so.
The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination to Jehovah;
But the prayer of the upright is his delight.
The way of the wicked is an abomination to Jehovah;
But he loveth him that followeth after righteousness.
10 There is grievous correction for him that forsaketh the way;
And he that hateth reproof shall die.
11 Sheol and [am]Abaddon are before Jehovah;
How much more then the hearts of the children of men!
12 A scoffer loveth not to be reproved;
He will not go unto the wise.
13 A glad heart maketh a cheerful countenance;
But by sorrow of heart the spirit is broken.
14 The heart of him that hath understanding seeketh knowledge;
But the mouth of fools feedeth on folly.
15 All the days of the afflicted are evil;
But he that is of a cheerful heart hath a continual feast.
16 Better is little, with the fear of Jehovah,
Than great treasure and trouble therewith.
17 Better is a [an]dinner of herbs, where love is,
Than a stalled ox and hatred therewith.
18 A wrathful man stirreth up contention;
But he that is slow to anger appeaseth strife.
19 The way of the sluggard is as a hedge of thorns;
But the path of the upright is made a highway.
20 A wise son maketh a glad father;
But a foolish man despiseth his mother.
21 Folly is joy to him that is void of [ao]wisdom;
But a man of understanding maketh straight his going.
22 Where there is no counsel, purposes are disappointed;
But in the multitude of counsellors they are established.
23 A man hath joy in the answer of his mouth;
And a word in due season, how good is it!
24 To the wise the way of life goeth upward,
That he may depart from Sheol beneath.
25 Jehovah will root up the house of the proud;
But he will establish the border of the widow.
26 Evil devices are an abomination to Jehovah;
But [ap]pleasant words are pure.
27 He that is greedy of gain troubleth his own house;
But he that hateth bribes shall live.
28 The heart of the righteous studieth to answer;
But the mouth of the wicked poureth out evil things.
29 Jehovah is far from the wicked;
But he heareth the prayer of the righteous.
30 The light of the eyes rejoiceth the heart;
And good tidings make the bones fat.
31 The ear that hearkeneth to the reproof of life
Shall abide among the wise.
32 He that refuseth [aq]correction despiseth his own soul;
But he that hearkeneth to reproof getteth [ar]understanding.
33 The fear of Jehovah is the instruction of wisdom;
And before honor goeth humility.

Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 13:1 Or, correction
  2. Proverbs 13:2 Or, from
  3. Proverbs 13:2 Or, the desire of the treacherous is for violence
  4. Proverbs 13:5 Or, causeth shame and bringeth reproach
  5. Proverbs 13:6 Hebrew uprightness of way.
  6. Proverbs 13:6 Hebrew sin.
  7. Proverbs 13:7 Or, feigneth
  8. Proverbs 13:7 Or, feigneth
  9. Proverbs 13:8 Or, rebuke
  10. Proverbs 13:11 Hebrew with the hand.
  11. Proverbs 13:13 Or, maketh himself a debtor thereto
  12. Proverbs 13:14 Or, teaching
  13. Proverbs 13:15 Or, getteth
  14. Proverbs 13:18 Or, instruction
  15. Proverbs 13:20 According to another reading, He that walketh with wise men shall be wise.
  16. Proverbs 13:20 Hebrew be broken.
  17. Proverbs 13:23 Or, tilled land
  18. Proverbs 13:24 Or, diligently
  19. Proverbs 14:1 Hebrew folly.
  20. Proverbs 14:5 Hebrew breatheth out.
  21. Proverbs 14:7 Or, Go from . . . For thou wilt not etc.
  22. Proverbs 14:9 Or, Fools make a mock at sin
  23. Proverbs 14:9 Or, the favor of God
  24. Proverbs 14:12 Or, is straight before
  25. Proverbs 14:22 Or, Shall they not go astray
  26. Proverbs 14:24 Or, Their riches is a crown unto the wise
  27. Proverbs 14:25 Hebrew breatheth out.
  28. Proverbs 14:26 Or, the children of him that hath it
  29. Proverbs 14:29 Or, carrieth away
  30. Proverbs 14:30 Or, jealousy
  31. Proverbs 14:32 Or, calamity
  32. Proverbs 14:33 Or, And in the midst of fools it maketh itself known
  33. Proverbs 14:34 Hebrew peoples.
  34. Proverbs 14:35 Or, doeth shamefully
  35. Proverbs 15:4 Hebrew The healing of the tongue.
  36. Proverbs 15:5 Or, instruction
  37. Proverbs 15:5 Or, dealeth prudently
  38. Proverbs 15:7 Or, is not stedfast (or, right)
  39. Proverbs 15:11 Or, Destruction
  40. Proverbs 15:17 Or, portion
  41. Proverbs 15:21 Hebrew heart.
  42. Proverbs 15:26 Or, the pure speak pleasant words
  43. Proverbs 15:32 Or, instruction
  44. Proverbs 15:32 Hebrew heart.

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)

14 The wise woman builds her house,(AK)
    but with her own hands the foolish one tears hers down.

Whoever fears the Lord walks uprightly,
    but those who despise him are devious in their ways.

A fool’s mouth lashes out with pride,(AL)
    but the lips of the wise protect them.(AM)

Where there are no oxen, the manger is empty,
    but from the strength of an ox(AN) come abundant harvests.

An honest witness does not deceive,
    but a false witness pours out lies.(AO)

The mocker seeks wisdom and finds none,
    but knowledge comes easily to the discerning.(AP)

Stay away from a fool,
    for you will not find knowledge on their lips.

The wisdom of the prudent is to give thought to their ways,(AQ)
    but the folly of fools is deception.(AR)

Fools mock at making amends for sin,
    but goodwill is found among the upright.

10 Each heart knows its own bitterness,
    and no one else can share its joy.

11 The house of the wicked will be destroyed,(AS)
    but the tent of the upright will flourish.(AT)

12 There is a way that appears to be right,(AU)
    but in the end it leads to death.(AV)

13 Even in laughter(AW) the heart may ache,
    and rejoicing may end in grief.

14 The faithless will be fully repaid for their ways,(AX)
    and the good rewarded for theirs.(AY)

15 The simple believe anything,
    but the prudent give thought to their steps.(AZ)

16 The wise fear the Lord and shun evil,(BA)
    but a fool(BB) is hotheaded and yet feels secure.

17 A quick-tempered person(BC) does foolish things,(BD)
    and the one who devises evil schemes is hated.(BE)

18 The simple inherit folly,
    but the prudent are crowned with knowledge.

19 Evildoers will bow down in the presence of the good,
    and the wicked at the gates of the righteous.(BF)

20 The poor are shunned even by their neighbors,
    but the rich have many friends.(BG)

21 It is a sin to despise one’s neighbor,(BH)
    but blessed is the one who is kind to the needy.(BI)

22 Do not those who plot evil go astray?(BJ)
    But those who plan what is good find[c] love and faithfulness.

23 All hard work brings a profit,
    but mere talk leads only to poverty.

24 The wealth of the wise is their crown,
    but the folly of fools yields folly.(BK)

25 A truthful witness saves lives,
    but a false witness is deceitful.(BL)

26 Whoever fears the Lord has a secure fortress,(BM)
    and for their children it will be a refuge.(BN)

27 The fear of the Lord is a fountain of life,(BO)
    turning a person from the snares of death.(BP)

28 A large population is a king’s glory,
    but without subjects a prince is ruined.(BQ)

29 Whoever is patient has great understanding,(BR)
    but one who is quick-tempered displays folly.(BS)

30 A heart at peace gives life to the body,
    but envy rots the bones.(BT)

31 Whoever oppresses the poor shows contempt for their Maker,(BU)
    but whoever is kind to the needy honors God.(BV)

32 When calamity comes, the wicked are brought down,(BW)
    but even in death the righteous seek refuge in God.(BX)

33 Wisdom reposes in the heart of the discerning(BY)
    and even among fools she lets herself be known.[d]

34 Righteousness exalts a nation,(BZ)
    but sin condemns any people.

35 A king delights in a wise servant,
    but a shameful servant arouses his fury.(CA)

15 A gentle answer(CB) turns away wrath,(CC)
    but a harsh word stirs up anger.

The tongue of the wise adorns knowledge,(CD)
    but the mouth of the fool gushes folly.(CE)

The eyes(CF) of the Lord are everywhere,(CG)
    keeping watch on the wicked and the good.(CH)

The soothing tongue(CI) is a tree of life,(CJ)
    but a perverse tongue crushes the spirit.(CK)

A fool spurns a parent’s discipline,
    but whoever heeds correction shows prudence.(CL)

The house of the righteous contains great treasure,(CM)
    but the income of the wicked brings ruin.(CN)

The lips of the wise spread knowledge,(CO)
    but the hearts of fools are not upright.

The Lord detests the sacrifice(CP) of the wicked,(CQ)
    but the prayer of the upright pleases him.(CR)

The Lord detests the way of the wicked,(CS)
    but he loves those who pursue righteousness.(CT)

10 Stern discipline awaits anyone who leaves the path;
    the one who hates correction will die.(CU)

11 Death and Destruction[e] lie open before the Lord(CV)
    how much more do human hearts!(CW)

12 Mockers resent correction,(CX)
    so they avoid the wise.

13 A happy heart makes the face cheerful,(CY)
    but heartache crushes the spirit.(CZ)

14 The discerning heart seeks knowledge,(DA)
    but the mouth of a fool feeds on folly.

15 All the days of the oppressed are wretched,
    but the cheerful heart has a continual feast.(DB)

16 Better a little with the fear of the Lord
    than great wealth with turmoil.(DC)

17 Better a small serving of vegetables with love
    than a fattened calf with hatred.(DD)

18 A hot-tempered person stirs up conflict,(DE)
    but the one who is patient calms a quarrel.(DF)

19 The way of the sluggard is blocked with thorns,(DG)
    but the path of the upright is a highway.

20 A wise son brings joy to his father,(DH)
    but a foolish man despises his mother.

21 Folly brings joy to one who has no sense,(DI)
    but whoever has understanding keeps a straight course.

22 Plans fail for lack of counsel,(DJ)
    but with many advisers(DK) they succeed.(DL)

23 A person finds joy in giving an apt reply(DM)
    and how good is a timely word!(DN)

24 The path of life leads upward for the prudent
    to keep them from going down to the realm of the dead.

25 The Lord tears down the house of the proud,(DO)
    but he sets the widow’s boundary stones in place.(DP)

26 The Lord detests the thoughts(DQ) of the wicked,(DR)
    but gracious words are pure(DS) in his sight.

27 The greedy bring ruin to their households,
    but the one who hates bribes will live.(DT)

28 The heart of the righteous weighs its answers,(DU)
    but the mouth of the wicked gushes evil.(DV)

29 The Lord is far from the wicked,
    but he hears the prayer of the righteous.(DW)

30 Light in a messenger’s eyes brings joy to the heart,
    and good news gives health to the bones.(DX)

31 Whoever heeds life-giving correction
    will be at home among the wise.(DY)

32 Those who disregard discipline despise themselves,(DZ)
    but the one who heeds correction gains understanding.(EA)

33 Wisdom’s instruction is to fear the Lord,(EB)
    and humility comes before honor.(EC)

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
  3. Proverbs 14:22 Or show
  4. Proverbs 14:33 Hebrew; Septuagint and Syriac discerning / but in the heart of fools she is not known
  5. Proverbs 15:11 Hebrew Abaddon