Proverbs 13
Contrasting proverbs address the guarding of the mouth, the fruit of diligence, the emptiness of wealth gotten by vanity, and the difference between the wise who receive instruction and the fools who despise it. Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but a desire fulfilled is a tree of life.
| v | King James Version | Modern English |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | A wise son heareth his father's instruction: but a scorner heareth not rebuke. | A wise son hears his father's instruction; but a scorner does not listen to rebuke. |
| 2 | A man shall eat good by the fruit of his mouth: but the soul of the transgressors shall eat violence. | A man will eat good by the fruit of his mouth; but the soul of the transgressors will eat violence. |
| 3 | He that keepeth his mouth keepeth his life: but he that openeth wide his lips shall have destruction. | He who guards his mouth preserves his life; but he who opens wide his lips will have destruction. |
| 4 | The soul of the sluggard desireth, and hath nothing: but the soul of the diligent shall be made fat. | The soul of the sluggard desires, and has nothing; but the soul of the diligent will be made rich. |
| 5 | A righteous man hateth lying: but a wicked man is loathsome, and cometh to shame. | A righteous man hates lying; but a wicked man is loathsome and comes to shame. |
| 6 | Righteousness keepeth him that is upright in the way: but wickedness overthroweth the sinner. | Righteousness keeps him who is upright in the way; but wickedness overthrows the sinner. |
| 7 | There is that maketh himself rich, yet hath nothing: there is that maketh himself poor, yet hath great riches. | There is one who makes himself rich, yet has nothing; there is one who makes himself poor, yet has great riches. |
| 8 | The ransom of a man's life are his riches: but the poor heareth not rebuke. | The ransom of a man's life is his riches; but the poor does not hear rebuke. |
| 9 | The light of the righteous rejoiceth: but the lamp of the wicked shall be put out. | The light of the righteous rejoices; but the lamp of the wicked will be put out. |
| 10 | Only by pride cometh contention: but with the well advised is wisdom. | Only by pride comes contention; but with the well-advised is wisdom. |
| 11 | Wealth gotten by vanity shall be diminished: but he that gathereth by labour shall increase. | Wealth gotten by vanity will be diminished; but he who gathers by labor will increase. |
| 12 | Hope deferred maketh the heart sick: but when the desire cometh, it is a tree of life. | Hope deferred makes the heart sick; but when the desire comes, it is a tree of life. |
| 13 | Whoso despiseth the word shall be destroyed: but he that feareth the commandment shall be rewarded. | Whoever despises the word will be destroyed; but he who fears the commandment will be rewarded. |
| 14 | The law of the wise is a fountain of life, to depart from the snares of death. | The law of the wise is a fountain of life, to turn one from the snares of death. |
| 15 | Good understanding giveth favour: but the way of transgressors is hard. | Good understanding gives favor; but the way of transgressors is hard. |
| 16 | Every prudent man dealeth with knowledge: but a fool layeth open his folly. | Every prudent man acts with knowledge; but a fool lays open his folly. |
| 17 | A wicked messenger falleth into mischief: but a faithful ambassador is health. | A wicked messenger falls into mischief; but a faithful ambassador brings health. |
| 18 | Poverty and shame shall be to him that refuseth instruction: but he that regardeth reproof shall be honoured. | Poverty and shame will come to him who refuses instruction; but he who heeds correction will be honored. |
| 19 | The desire accomplished is sweet to the soul: but it is abomination to fools to depart from evil. | A desire accomplished is sweet to the soul; but it is an abomination to fools to depart from evil. |
| 20 | He that walketh with wise men shall be wise: but a companion of fools shall be destroyed. | He who walks with wise men will be wise; but a companion of fools will be destroyed. |
| 21 | Evil pursueth sinners: but to the righteous good shall be repayed. | Evil pursues sinners; but to the righteous good will 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 just. | A good man leaves an inheritance to his children's children, and the wealth of the sinner is stored up for the just. |
| 23 | Much food is in the tillage of the poor: but there is that is destroyed for want of judgment. | Much food is in the tillage of the poor; but there is one who is destroyed for lack of judgment. |
| 24 | He that spareth his rod hateth his son: but he that loveth him chasteneth him betimes. | He who spares his rod hates his son; but he who loves him disciplines him early. |
| 25 | The righteous eateth to the satisfying of his soul: but the belly of the wicked shall want. | The righteous eats to the satisfying of his soul; but the belly of the wicked will want. |