Proverbs 13

Berean Standard Bible

Chapter summary

Proverbs 13 presents a series of contrasting behaviors and their respective outcomes regarding wisdom, speech, wealth, and character. It outlines how a wise person listens to instruction and guards his words, whereas a mocker rejects correction and brings ruin upon himself. The text compares the diligence of workers with the unfulfilled cravings of sluggards, and contrasts the integrity of the righteous with the shame of the wicked. It further examines social dynamics, noting how wealth can serve as a ransom while the poor hear no threats, and how dishonesty diminishes while hard work multiplies. Finally, the chapter details familial relationships, including parental discipline, the transfer of inheritances to descendants, and the distinct fates that pursue the righteous and the sinner.

Summary automatically generated from the Bible text.

Words of Jesus in red

¹A wise son heeds his father’s discipline, but a mocker does not listen to rebuke. ²From the fruit of his lips a man enjoys good things, but the desire of the faithless is violence. ³He who guards his mouth protects his life, but the one who opens his lips invites his own ruin. ⁴The slacker craves yet has nothing, but the soul of the diligent is fully satisfied. ⁵The righteous hate falsehood, but the wicked bring shame and disgrace. ⁶Righteousness guards the man of integrity, but wickedness undermines the sinner. ⁷One pretends to be rich, but has nothing; another pretends to be poor, yet has great wealth. ⁸Riches may ransom a man’s life, but a poor man hears no threat. ⁹The light of the righteous shines brightly, but the lamp of the wicked is extinguished. ¹⁰Arrogance leads only to strife, but wisdom is with the well-advised. ¹¹Dishonest wealth will dwindle, but what is earned through hard work will be multiplied. ¹²Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but desire fulfilled is a tree of life. ¹³He who despises instruction will pay the penalty, but the one who respects a command will be rewarded. ¹⁴The teaching of the wise is a fountain of life, turning one from the snares of death. ¹⁵Good understanding wins favor, but the way of the faithless is difficult. ¹⁶Every prudent man acts with knowledge, but a fool displays his folly. ¹⁷A wicked messenger falls into trouble, but a faithful envoy brings healing. ¹⁸Poverty and shame come to him who ignores discipline, but whoever heeds correction is honored. ¹⁹Desire fulfilled is sweet to the soul, but turning from evil is detestable to fools. ²⁰He who walks with the wise will become wise, but the companion of fools will be destroyed. ²¹Disaster pursues sinners, but prosperity is the reward of the righteous. ²²A good man leaves an inheritance to his children’s children, but the sinner’s wealth is passed to the righteous. ²³Abundant food is in the fallow ground of the poor, but without justice it is swept away. ²⁴He who spares the rod hates his son, but he who loves him disciplines him diligently. ²⁵A righteous man eats to his heart’s content, but the stomach of the wicked is empty.

Test this chapter

Louis Segond 1910 and Berean Standard Bible: public domain. Cross references: open-cross-ref, Creative Commons BY 4.0.