Veritable King James Version
1Whoever loves discipline loves knowledge, but one who hates correction is foolish.
2A good person gains favor from the Lord, but He condemns a schemer.
3No one is established by wickedness, but the righteous root endures.
4A virtuous spouse is a crown to their partner, but a shameful one is like rot in the bones.
5The plans of the righteous are just; the schemes of the wicked are deceitful.
6The words of the wicked lie in wait for blood, but the speech of the upright delivers them.
7The wicked are overthrown and are no more, but the house of the righteous stands firm.
8A person is praised for their insight, but one with a warped mind is despised.
9Better to be lowly and have a servant than to act important with no food.
10The righteous care for their animals’ needs, but the mercy of the wicked is cruel.
11One who works their land will have plenty of food, but one who chases fantasies lacks sense.
12The wicked crave the plunder of evil, but the root of the righteous yields fruit.
13An evil person is trapped by their sinful talk, but the righteous escape trouble.
14From the fruit of their lips, people are filled with good, and the work of their hands returns to them.
15The way of a fool seems right to them, but a wise person listens to advice.
16A fool’s anger flares instantly, but a prudent person covers shame.
17One who speaks truth declares justice, but a false witness spreads deceit.
18Rash words pierce like a sword, but the tongue of the wise brings healing.
19Truthful lips endure forever, but a lying tongue lasts only a moment.
20Deceit is in the heart of those who plot evil, but those who counsel peace have joy.
21No harm befalls the righteous, but the wicked are filled with trouble.
22Lying lips are an abomination to the Lord, but those who act faithfully please Him.
23A prudent person conceals knowledge, but the heart of fools blurts folly.
24The diligent hand will rule, but the lazy will be forced to labor.
25Anxiety in a person’s heart weighs it down, but a good word lifts it up.
26The righteous guide their neighbor, but the way of the wicked leads them astray.
27The lazy do not roast their game, but the diligent value their possessions.
28In the path of righteousness is life; its way leads not to death. Proverbs 13 The Book of Proverbs, Chapter 13 – VKJV
Translation notes
Verse 1’s musar (“discipline”) implies instructive correction, paired with “knowledge” (da’at) to emphasize learning through guidance; “foolish” renders ba’ar, denoting brute ignorance (cf. Psalm 94:8). Verse 2’s “favor from the Lord” uses ratson, indicating divine approval; “schemer” translates mezimmah, a term for deceitful plotting (cf. Proverbs 24:8). Verse 3’s “established” (konen) and “root endures” (shoresh) contrast instability of wickedness with righteous stability; cross-reference Psalm 1:3. Verse 4’s eshet chayil (“virtuous spouse”) is gender-neutralized as “spouse” for inclusivity, reflecting a capable partner; “rot in the bones” (raqab) is a vivid metaphor for decay; cross-reference Proverbs 31:10. Theologically, these verses underscore divine justice and relational harmony. No significant Dead Sea Scrolls variants (e.g., 4Q102) alter this section, affirming Masoretic Text reliability.
Verse 5’s “plans” (mo’etsot) and “schemes” (tachbulot) contrast righteous integrity with wicked deceit; cross-reference Proverbs 11:1. Verse 6’s “lie in wait for blood” (arob dam) depicts violent intent, while “delivers” (natsal) suggests rescue through truthful speech; theologically, this reflects the power of words (cf. James 3:5–6). Verse 7’s “overthrown” (haphak) and “stands firm” (ya’amod) emphasize transient evil versus enduring righteousness; cross-reference Psalm 37:36–37. Verse 8’s “insight” (sekel) denotes practical wisdom, while “warped mind” (na’awah) implies moral distortion. No notable Dead Sea Scrolls variants affect this section, supporting Masoretic Text fidelity.
Verse 9’s “lowly” (qalah) suggests humility, contrasting with pretense; “servant” reflects economic sufficiency. Verse 10’s “care for their animals’ needs” renders yodea nefesh behemah, literally “knows the soul of their beast,” emphasizing compassion; “cruel” (achzari) highlights perverse mercy; cross-reference Deuteronomy 25:4. Verse 11’s “works their land” (obed adamah) denotes diligent labor, while “chases fantasies” (radaph reykim) implies futile pursuits; cross-reference Proverbs 28:19. Verse 12’s “plunder of evil” (metsod ra’im) contrasts with “yields fruit” (yitten), reinforcing righteous productivity; theologically, this echoes covenant blessings (cf. Deuteronomy 28:1–14). No significant Dead Sea Scrolls variants noted.
Verse 13’s “sinful talk” (pesha sefatayim) implies verbal transgression, while “escape trouble” (yetsa mitstsarah) suggests divine deliverance; cross-reference Proverbs 18:21. Verse 14’s “fruit of their lips” (peri peh) and “work of their hands” emphasize productive speech and labor; theologically, this reflects divine reward (cf. Isaiah 3:10). Verse 15’s “seems right” (yashar) highlights self-deception, contrasted with “listens to advice” (shomea etsah); cross-reference Proverbs 19:20. Verse 16’s “flares instantly” (bayyom, lit. “in the day”) denotes impulsiveness, while “covers shame” (koseh qalon) implies discretion. No notable Dead Sea Scrolls variants affect this section.
Verse 17’s “declares justice” (yagid tsedeq) ties truth to righteousness, while “false witness” (ed sheqer) denotes perjury; cross-reference Exodus 20:16. Verse 18’s “pierce like a sword” (madqerot k’chereb) vividly contrasts with “brings healing” (marpe); theologically, this underscores words’ impact (cf. Ephesians 4:29). Verse 19’s “endure forever” (ad ad) emphasizes truth’s permanence versus lies’ transience. Verse 20’s “counsel peace” (yo’atsey shalom) yields “joy” (simchah), reflecting divine blessing; cross-reference Psalm 34:14. No significant Dead Sea Scrolls variants noted, affirming Masoretic Text stability.
Verse 21’s “no harm” (lo ye’uneh) suggests divine protection for the righteous, contrasted with “filled with trouble” (mala ra’ah); cross-reference Psalm 91:10. Verse 22’s “abomination to the Lord” (to’avat YHWH) underscores divine hatred of deceit, while “act faithfully” (osey emunah) aligns with covenant loyalty; cross-reference Proverbs 6:16–17. Verse 23’s “conceals knowledge” (koseh da’at) implies discretion, contrasting with “blurts folly” (yiqra kesil). Verse 24’s “rule” (mashal) and “forced to labor” (mas) contrast diligence with laziness; theologically, this reflects divine order (cf. Proverbs 10:4). No notable Dead Sea Scrolls variants affect this section.
Verse 25’s “weighs it down” (yashchenah) depicts anxiety’s burden, while “good word” (davar tov) suggests encouragement; cross-reference Proverbs 15:4. Verse 26’s “guide their neighbor” (yoter mere’ehu) implies moral leadership, contrasted with “leads astray” (yata’am); theologically, this reflects community responsibility (cf. Leviticus 19:18). Verse 27’s “roast their game” (charak tsayid) denotes effort in preparation, while “value their possessions” (hon yakar) emphasizes stewardship. Verse 28’s “life” (chayyim) and “not to death” (lo mavet) affirm righteousness’ vitality; cross-reference Deuteronomy 30:19. Theologically, this culminates the chapter’s theme of life through wisdom. No significant Dead Sea Scrolls variants noted.
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