Proverbs 13:8-23
English Standard Version
8 The ransom of a man's life is his wealth,
but a poor man (A)hears no threat.
9 (B)The light of the righteous rejoices,
but (C)the lamp of the wicked will be put out.
10 (D)By insolence comes nothing but strife,
but with those who take advice is wisdom.
11 (E)Wealth gained hastily[a] will dwindle,
but whoever gathers little by little will increase it.
12 Hope deferred makes the heart sick,
(F)but a desire fulfilled is (G)a tree of life.
13 Whoever (H)despises (I)the word[b] brings destruction on himself,
but he who reveres the commandment[c] will be (J)rewarded.
14 The teaching of the wise is (K)a fountain of life,
that one may (L)turn away from the snares of death.
15 (M)Good sense wins (N)favor,
but the way of the treacherous is their ruin.[d]
16 (O)Every prudent man acts with knowledge,
(P)but a fool flaunts his folly.
17 A wicked messenger falls into trouble,
but (Q)a faithful envoy brings healing.
18 Poverty and disgrace come to him who (R)ignores instruction,
(S)but whoever (T)heeds reproof is honored.
19 (U)A desire fulfilled is sweet to the soul,
but to turn away from evil is an abomination to fools.
20 Whoever walks with the wise becomes wise,
but the companion of fools will suffer harm.
21 (V)Disaster[e] pursues sinners,
(W)but the righteous are rewarded with good.
22 (X)A good man leaves an inheritance to his children's children,
but (Y)the sinner's wealth is laid up for the righteous.
23 The fallow ground of the poor would yield much food,
but it is swept away through (Z)injustice.
Footnotes
- Proverbs 13:11 Or by fraud
- Proverbs 13:13 Or a word
- Proverbs 13:13 Or a commandment
- Proverbs 13:15 Probable reading (compare Septuagint, Syriac, Vulgate); Hebrew is rugged, or is an enduring rut
- Proverbs 13:21 Or Evil
The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.