Proverbs 13

1 A shrewd son obeys his father, but a disobedient son faces destruction.

2 A good person will eat from the fruits of righteousness, but the lives of lawbreakers will perish before their time.

3 Whoever guards his own mouth preserves his own life, but whoever is rash with his lips will terrify himself.

4 Every idle person is full of desires, but energetic hands are diligent.

5 A righteous person hates an unjust word, but an ungodly person is put to shame and will have no confidence.

6 Righteousness guards the innocent, but sin makes the ungodly worthless.

7 Some make themselves rich while having nothing, and others humble themselves amid great wealth.

8 A man’s own wealth is the ransom for his life, but a poor man does not endure a threat.

9 The righteous always have light, but the light of the ungodly is extinguished. Deceitful souls wander among sins, but the righteous show pity and mercy.

10 An evil person does evil with arrogance, but those who recognize their own faults are wise.

11 Possessions acquired hastily through lawlessness become less, but whoever gathers for himself with devoutness will increase them. A righteous person shows pity and lends.

12 Better is one who begins helping wholeheartedly than one who makes promises and holds out hope, for a good desire is a tree of life.

13 Whoever despises a matter will be despised by it, but whoever fears a command is healthy. Nothing good will come to a deceitful son, but a wise household servant will succeed in his actions, and his road will be directed straight.

14 The law of the wise is a fountain of life, but a senseless person will die in a trap.

15 Good understanding gives favor, and knowing the law belongs to a sound mind, but the roads of those who show contempt lead to destruction.

16 Every shrewd person acts with knowledge, but a fool spreads out his own evil.

17 A reckless king will fall into evils, but a faithful messenger will rescue him.

18 Instruction removes poverty and dishonor, and whoever guards correction will receive glory.

19 The desires of the devout sweeten the soul, but the works of the ungodly are far from knowledge.

20 Whoever travels with the wise will become wise, but whoever travels with fools will be recognized for what he is.

21 Evils will pursue sinners, but good things will overtake the righteous.

22 A good man will inherit children’s children, and the wealth of the ungodly is stored up for the righteous.

23 The righteous will spend many years in wealth, but the unjust will perish quickly.

24 Whoever spares the rod hates his son, but whoever loves him disciplines him carefully.

25 A righteous person eats and fills his soul, but the souls of the ungodly remain in need.