Proverbs 13

Amplified Bible

13 A wise son heeds and accepts [and is the result of] his father’s discipline and instruction,
But a scoffer does not listen to reprimand and does not learn from his errors.
² 
From the fruit of his mouth a [wise] man enjoys good,
But the desire of the treacherous is for violence.
³ 
The one who guards his mouth [thinking before he speaks] protects his life;
The one who opens his lips wide [and chatters without thinking] comes to ruin.
⁴ 
The soul (appetite) of the lazy person craves and gets nothing [for lethargy overcomes ambition],
But the soul (appetite) of the diligent [who works willingly] is rich and abundantly supplied.^(A)
5 
A righteous man hates lies,
But a wicked man is loathsome, and he acts shamefully.
⁶ 
Righteousness (being in right standing with God) guards the one whose way is blameless,
But wickedness undermines and overthrows the sinner.
⁷ 
There is one who pretends to be rich, yet has nothing at all;
Another pretends to be poor, yet has great wealth.^(B)
8 
The ransom for a man’s life is his wealth,
But the poor man does not even have to listen to a rebuke or threats [from the envious].
⁹ 
The light of the righteous [within him—grows brighter and] rejoices,
But the lamp of the wicked [is a temporary light and] goes out.
¹⁰ 
Through pride and presumption come nothing but strife,
But [skillful and godly] wisdom is with those who welcome [well-advised] counsel.
¹¹ 
Wealth obtained by fraud dwindles,
But he who gathers gradually by [honest] labor will increase [his riches].
¹² 
Hope deferred makes the heart sick,
But when desire is fulfilled, it is a tree of life.
¹³ 
Whoever despises the word and counsel [of God] brings destruction upon himself,
But he who [reverently] fears and respects the commandment [of God] will be rewarded.
¹⁴ 
The teaching of the wise is a fountain and source of life,
So that one may avoid the snares of death.
¹⁵ 
Good understanding wins favor [from others],
But the way of the unfaithful is hard [like barren, dry soil].
¹⁶ 
Every prudent and self-disciplined man acts with knowledge,
But a [closed-minded] fool [who refuses to learn] displays his foolishness [for all to see].
¹⁷ 
A wicked messenger falls into hardship,
But a faithful ambassador brings healing.
¹⁸ 
Poverty and shame will come to him who refuses instruction and discipline,
But he who accepts and learns from reproof or censure is honored.
¹⁹ 
Desire realized is sweet to the soul;
But it is detestable to fools to turn away from evil [which they have planned].
²⁰ 
He who walks [as a companion] with wise men will be wise,
But the companions of [conceited, dull-witted] fools [are fools themselves and] will experience harm.^(C)
21 
Adversity pursues sinners,
But the [consistently] upright will be rewarded with prosperity.
²² 
A good man leaves an inheritance to his children’s children,
And the wealth of the sinner is stored up for [the hands of] the righteous.
²³ 
Abundant food is in the fallow (uncultivated) ground of the poor,
But [without protection] it is swept away by injustice.
²⁴ 
He who withholds the rod [of discipline] hates his son,
But he who loves him disciplines and trains him diligently and appropriately [with wisdom and love].^(D)
25 
The [consistently] righteous has enough to satisfy his appetite,
But the stomach of the wicked is in need [of bread].