Proverbs 13

A wise son pays attention to what his father teaches him.
    But anyone who makes fun of others doesn’t listen to warnings.

A wise child accepts a parent’s discipline;^[a]
    a mocker refuses to listen to correction.

The good things people say benefit them.
    But liars love to hurt others.

Wise words will win you a good meal,
    but treacherous people have an appetite for violence.

Those who guard what they say guard their lives.
    But those who speak without thinking will be destroyed.

Those who control their tongue will have a long life;
    opening your mouth can ruin everything.

People who refuse to work want things and get nothing.
    But the desires of people who work hard are completely satisfied.

Lazy people want much but get little,
    but those who work hard will prosper.

Those who do right hate what is false.
    But those who do wrong stink and bring shame on themselves.

The godly hate lies;
    the wicked cause shame and disgrace.

Doing right guards those who are honest.
    But evil destroys those who are sinful.

Godliness guards the path of the blameless,
    but the evil are misled by sin.

Some people pretend to be rich but have nothing.
    Others pretend to be poor but have great wealth.

Some who are poor pretend to be rich;
    others who are rich pretend to be poor.

A person’s riches might save their life.
    But a poor person is not able to do anything about danger.

The rich can pay a ransom for their lives,
    but the poor won’t even get threatened.

The lights of godly people shine brightly.
    But the lamps of sinners are blown out.

The life of the godly is full of light and joy,
    but the light of the wicked will be snuffed out.

Where there is arguing, there is pride.
    But those who take advice are wise.

Pride leads to conflict;
    those who take advice are wise.

Money gained in the wrong way disappears.
    But money gathered little by little grows.

Wealth from get-rich-quick schemes quickly disappears;
    wealth from hard work grows over time.

Hope that is put off makes one sick at heart.
    But a desire that is met is like a tree of life.

Hope deferred makes the heart sick,
    but a dream fulfilled is a tree of life.

Anyone who hates what they are taught will pay for it later.
    But a person who respects a command will be rewarded.

People who despise advice are asking for trouble;
    those who respect a command will succeed.

The teaching of wise people is like a fountain that gives life.
    It turns those who listen to it away from the jaws of death.

The instruction of the wise is like a life-giving fountain;
    those who accept it avoid the snares of death.

Good judgment wins favor.
    But the way of liars leads to their ruin.

A person with good sense is respected;
    a treacherous person is headed for destruction.^[b]

Wise people act with knowledge.
    But foolish people show how foolish they are.

Wise people think before they act;
    fools don’t—and even brag about their foolishness.

An evil messenger gets into trouble.
    But a trusted messenger brings healing.

An unreliable messenger stumbles into trouble,
    but a reliable messenger brings healing.

Those who turn away from their training become poor and ashamed.
    But those who accept warnings are honored.

If you ignore criticism, you will end in poverty and disgrace;
    if you accept correction, you will be honored.

A desire that is met is like something that tastes sweet.
    But foolish people hate to turn away from evil.

It is pleasant to see dreams come true,
    but fools refuse to turn from evil to attain them.

Walk with wise people and become wise.
    A companion of foolish people suffers harm.

Walk with the wise and become wise;
    associate with fools and get in trouble.

Hard times chase those who are sinful.
    But those who do right are rewarded with good things.

Trouble chases sinners,
    while blessings reward the righteous.

A good person leaves what they own to their children and grandchildren.
    But a sinner’s wealth is stored up for those who do right.

Good people leave an inheritance to their grandchildren,
    but the sinner’s wealth passes to the godly.

An unplowed field produces food for poor people.
    But those who treat them badly destroy it all.

A poor person’s farm may produce much food,
    but injustice sweeps it all away.

Those who don’t correct their children hate them.
    But those who love them are careful to correct them.

Those who spare the rod of discipline hate their children.
    Those who love their children care enough to discipline them.

Those who do right eat until they are full.
    But the stomachs of those who do wrong go hungry.