CHAPTER 13
1A wise son—through a father’s reproof,
but a scoffer does not heed rebuke.
2From the fruit of a man’s mouth he eats goodly things,
but from the throat of traitors comes outrage.
3Who watches his mouth guards his own life,
who cracks open his lips knows disaster.
4He desires and has naught, the sluggard,
but the life of the diligent thrives.
5A lying word the righteous hates,
but the wicked is stinking and vile.
6Righteousness keeps the blameless,
but wickedness perverts the offender.
7One man feigns riches having nothing at all,
another plays poor, with great wealth.
8The ransom for a man’s life are his riches,
but the poor man will hear no rebuke.
9The light of the righteous shines,
but the lamp of the wicked gutters.
10The empty man in arrogance foments strife,
but with those who take counsel is wisdom.
11Wealth can be less than mere breath,
but who gathers bit by bit makes it grow.
12Drawn-out longing sickens the heart,
but desire come true is a tree of life.
13Who scorns a word will be hurt,
but who fears a command is rewarded.
14A wise man’s teaching is a wellspring of life,
to swerve from the snares of death.
15Good insight gives grace,
but the way of traitors is their ruin.
16Every shrewd man acts through knowledge,
but a dullard broadcasts folly.
17A wicked messenger falls into harm,
but a trusty envoy brings healing.
18Privation and disgrace for one spurning reproof,
but he who takes in rebuke will be honored.
19Desire fulfilled is sweet to the palate,
but fools’ loathing is swerving from evil.
20Who walks with the wise gets wisdom,
but who chases fools is crushed.
21Harm pursues offenders,
but the righteous are paid back with good.
22A good man bequeaths to the sons of his sons,
and stored for the righteous—the wealth of offenders.
23Much food from the furrows of the destitute,
and some are swept away without justice.
24Who spares his rod hates his son,
but who loves him seeks him out for reproof.
25The righteous man eats to satiety,
but the belly of the wicked will want.