Proverbs 13
1 A wise son is obedient to his
father: but a disobedient son will be destroyed.
2 A good
man shall eat of the fruits of righteousness: but the
lives of transgressors shall perish before their time.
3 He that keeps his own mouth keeps
his own life: but he that is hasty with his lips shall bring terror upon
himself. 4 Every slothful man desires,
but the hands of the active are diligent.
5 A righteous man hates an unjust
word: but an ungodly man is ashamed, and will have no confidence.aSee Appendix for Alexandrine text shown as: “Righteousness preserves the
simple in the way, but sin makes worthless the ungodly.”
7 There are
some who, having nothing, enrich themselves: and
there are some who bring themselves down in
the midst of much wealth.
8 A man's own wealth is the ransom of
his life: but the poor
bOr, comes not in for.endures not threatening. 9 The
righteous always have light: but the light of the ungodly is quenched.
9a Crafty souls go astray in sins:
but just men pity, and are merciful.
10 A bad man does evil with
insolence: but they that are judges of themselves are wise.
11 Wealth gotten hastily with
iniquity is diminished: but he that gathers for himself with godliness shall
be increased. The righteous is merciful, and lends.
12 Better is he that begins to help
heartily, than he that promises and leads another to
hope: for a good desire is a tree of life.
13 He that slights a matter shall be
slighted of it: but he that fears the commandment has health
of soul.
13a To a crafty son there shall be
nothing good: but a wise servant shall have prosperous doings, and his way
shall be directed aright.
14 The law of the wise is a fountain
of life: but the man void of understanding shall die by a snare.
15 Sound discretion gives favour, and
to know the law is the part of a sound understanding: but the ways of scorners
tend to destruction.
16 Every prudent man acts with
knowledge: but the fool displays his own mischief.
17 A rash king shall fall into
mischief: but a wise messenger shall deliver him.
18 Instruction removes poverty and
disgrace: but he that attends to reproofs shall be honoured.
19 The desires of the godly gladden
the soul, but the works of the ungodly are far from knowledge.
20 If thou walkest with wise men thou
shalt be wise: but he that walks with fools shall be known.
21 Evil shall pursue sinners; but
good shall overtake the righteous.
22 A good man shall inherit
children's children; and the wealth of ungodly men is laid up for the just.
23 The righteous shall spend many
years in wealth: but the unrighteous shall perish suddenly.
24 He that spares the rod hates his
son: but he that loves, carefully chastens him.
25 A just
man eats and satisfies his soul: but the souls of the
ungodly are in want.