Chapter 13

¹A wise child heeds a father’s instruction, but a scoffer ignores rebuke.

²From the fruit of their mouth, people enjoy good things, but the treacherous crave violence.

³Those who guard their speech preserve their life; those who open wide their lips face ruin.

⁴The sluggard craves yet gains nothing, but the diligent find abundance.

⁵The righteous hate falsehood, but the wicked bring shame and disgrace.

⁶Righteousness guards the upright in their way, but wickedness overthrows the sinner.

⁷Some pretend to be rich yet have nothing; others act poor but have great wealth.

⁸A person’s riches may ransom their life, but the poor hear no threat.

⁹The light of the righteous shines brightly, but the lamp of the wicked is snuffed out.

¹⁰Pride breeds only strife, but wisdom rests with those who heed counsel.

¹¹Wealth gained by deceit dwindles, but gathered by labor grows.

¹²Hope deferred sickens the heart, but a longing fulfilled is a tree of life.

¹³Whoever despises the word brings destruction, but those who fear the command are rewarded.

¹⁴The teaching of the wise is a fountain of life, turning people from the snares of death.

¹⁵Good sense wins favor, but the way of the treacherous leads to ruin.

¹⁶Every prudent person acts with knowledge, but a fool displays folly.

¹⁷A wicked messenger falls into trouble, but a faithful envoy brings healing.

¹⁸Poverty and shame come to those who ignore discipline, but those who heed correction are honored.

¹⁹A desire fulfilled is sweet to the soul, but fools loathe turning from evil.

²⁰Walk with the wise and become wise, but the companion of fools suffers harm.

²¹Trouble pursues sinners, but the righteous are rewarded with good.

²²The good leave an inheritance to their children’s children, but the sinner’s wealth is stored up for the righteous.

²³The poor’s field may yield much food, but injustice sweeps it away.

²⁴Those who spare the rod hate their children, but those who love them are diligent to discipline.

²⁵The righteous eat to their satisfaction, but the wicked go hungry. Proverbs 14 The Book of Proverbs, Chapter 14 – VKJV