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Proverbs Chapter 13 (JPS)

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1 A wise son is instructed of his father; but a scorner heareth not rebuke.

2 A man shall eat good from the fruit of his mouth; but the desire of the faithless is violence.

3 He that guardeth his mouth keepeth his life; but for him that openeth wide his lips there shall be ruin.

4 The soul of the sluggard desireth, and hath nothing; but the soul of the diligent shall be abundantly gratified.

5 A righteous man hateth lying; but a wicked man behaveth vilely and shamefully.

6 Righteousness guardeth him that is upright in the way; but wickedness overthroweth the sinner.

7 There is that pretendeth himself rich, yet hath nothing; there is that pretendeth himself poor, yet hath great wealth.

8 The ransom of a man's life are his riches; but the poor heareth no threatening.

9 The light of the righteous rejoiceth; but the lamp of the wicked shall be put out.

10 By pride cometh only contention; but with the well-advised is wisdom.

11 Wealth gotten by vanity shall be diminished; but he that gathereth little by little shall increase.

12 Hope deferred maketh the heart sick; but desire fulfilled is a tree of life.

13 Whoso despiseth the word shall suffer thereby; but he that feareth the commandment shall be rewarded.

14 The teaching of the wise is a fountain of life, to depart from the snares of death.

15 Good understanding giveth grace; but the way of the faithless is harsh.

16 Every prudent man dealeth with forethought; but a fool unfoldeth folly.

17 A wicked messenger falleth into evil; but a faithful ambassador is health.

18 Poverty and shame shall be to him that refuseth instruction; but he that regardeth reproof shall be honoured.

19 The desire accomplished is sweet to the soul; and it is an abomination to fools to depart from evil.

20 He that walketh with wise men shall be wise; but the companion of fools shall smart for it.

21 Evil pursueth sinners; but to the righteous good shall be repaid.

22 A good man leaveth an inheritance to his children's children; and the wealth of the sinner is laid up for the righteous.

23 Much food is in the tillage of the poor; but there is that is swept away by want of righteousness.

24 He that spareth his rod hateth his son; but he that loveth him chasteneth him betimes.

25 The righteous eateth to the satisfying of his desire; but the belly of the wicked shall want.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What does Proverbs 13 warn about?

It contrasts the diligent with the lazy and the truthful with liars, and stresses that discipline and good company shape a person's future.

What does Proverbs 13:12 mean by 'hope deferred maketh the heart sick'?

Verse 12 says a delayed hope wears down the heart, but 'when the desire cometh, it is a tree of life.'

What does Proverbs 13:20 say about the company you keep?

It warns that 'a companion of fools shall be destroyed' while walking with the wise makes one wise, the same warning given in 1 Corinthians 15:33-34.

Today's Verse

But as for the children of Israel that dwelt in the cities of Judah, Rehoboam reigned over them.

1-kings 12:17 | ASV

Verse Of The Day

The chapter closes by warning that walking with the wise makes a man wise, while keeping company with fools brings destruction, a principle Paul restates directly in 1 Corinthians 15:33-34. Its teaching on discipline and reward also builds on the ground laid in Proverbs 12.