The Bible — World English Bible

Proverbs 13

In brief

Proverbs 13 strings together sayings that contrast the wise and the foolish. The wise person listens to correction, guards his mouth and works diligently. Hope deferred makes the heart sick, despised instruction leads to ruin, and whoever walks with the wise becomes wise. A good person leaves an inheritance to his children's children, and whoever loves his son seeks to correct him.

The chapter in 4 parts

  1. v. 1-6Listening to correction and guarding your mouth
  2. v. 7-12True and false riches, pride and hope deferred
  3. v. 13-19Respecting instruction: a source of life and wisdom
  4. v. 20-25Companions, inheritance and discipline

1A wise son listens to his father’s instruction, but a scoffer doesn’t listen to rebuke.

2By the fruit of his lips, a man enjoys good things, but the unfaithful crave violence.

3He who guards his mouth guards his soul. One who opens wide his lips comes to ruin.

4The soul of the sluggard desires, and has nothing, but the desire of the diligent shall be fully satisfied.

5A righteous man hates lies, but a wicked man brings shame and disgrace.

6Righteousness guards the way of integrity, but wickedness overthrows the sinner.

7There are some who pretend to be rich, yet have nothing. There are some who pretend to be poor, yet have great wealth.

8The ransom of a man’s life is his riches, but the poor hear no threats.

9The light of the righteous shines brightly, but the lamp of the wicked is snuffed out.

10Pride only breeds quarrels, but wisdom is with people who take advice.

11Wealth gained dishonestly dwindles away, but he who gathers by hand makes it grow.

12Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but when longing is fulfilled, it is a tree of life.

13Whoever despises instruction will pay for it, but he who respects a command will be rewarded.

14The teaching of the wise is a spring of life, to turn from the snares of death.

15Good understanding wins favor, but the way of the unfaithful is hard.

16Every prudent man acts from knowledge, but a fool exposes folly.

17A wicked messenger falls into trouble, but a trustworthy envoy gains healing.

18Poverty and shame come to him who refuses discipline, but he who heeds correction shall be honored.

19Longing fulfilled is sweet to the soul, but fools detest turning from evil.

20One who walks with wise men grows wise, but a companion of fools suffers harm.

21Misfortune pursues sinners, but prosperity rewards the righteous.

22A good man leaves an inheritance to his children’s children, but the wealth of the sinner is stored for the righteous.

23An abundance of food is in poor people’s fields, but injustice sweeps it away.

24One who spares the rod hates his son, but one who loves him is careful to discipline him.

25The righteous one eats to the satisfying of his soul, but the belly of the wicked goes hungry.

Key verses

Verse 3
He who guards his mouth guards his soul. One who opens wide his lips comes to ruin.

Whoever guards his mouth guards his soul. Words spoken without thought can destroy more than we imagine.

Verse 10
Pride only breeds quarrels, but wisdom is with people who take advice.

Pride only breeds quarrels, while wisdom is with those who take advice. The verse links conflict with the refusal to be corrected.

Verse 12
Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but when longing is fulfilled, it is a tree of life.

Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but a longing fulfilled is a tree of life. The proverb acknowledges the pain of waiting without denying it.

Verse 20
One who walks with wise men grows wise, but a companion of fools suffers harm.

We become like those we spend time with. The proverb invites us to choose carefully the people who surround us and advise us.

Verse 22
A good man leaves an inheritance to his children’s children, but the wealth of the sinner is stored for the righteous.

A good person leaves an inheritance to his children's children. The inheritance in view is not only material: it is also an example and a faith passed on.

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What the sermons say

25 Bible Verses About Wisdom and Decision-MakingThis selection of verses on wisdom includes Proverbs 13:10, which links the refusal of advice to pride, and 13:20, which invites us to choose carefully those who advise us.Read the summary →Discipleship: Why Your Fruit Must Remain After YouPeggy N'Nah Ndong cites Proverbs 13:22 in a message on discipleship: a good person leaves an inheritance, and the fruit we bear must remain after us.Read the summary →"I Will Not Leave You Orphans": The Church Is a FamilyThe preacher cites Proverbs 13:10: pride only breeds quarrels. He uses it to show that the way of family strife is opposed to the way of Christ, gentle and humble.Read the summary →

Frequently asked questions about Proverbs 13

What does Proverbs 13:12 mean?

When a wait drags on, the heart wears down. When the longing is finally fulfilled, it gives life back, like a tree of life. The proverb is honest about the pain of waiting and does not promise that all our desires will be granted. It invites us not to underestimate its effect on the soul.

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

Whoever walks with the wise becomes wise, and whoever befriends fools suffers harm. Our relationships shape us. It is not about rejecting others, but about choosing with clear eyes who influences our decisions.

What is the message of Proverbs 13?

The chapter contrasts two paths: that of the wise, who listens to correction, guards his mouth and walks with the wise, and that of the fool, who despises instruction. The consequences touch wealth, relationships, family and the inheritance left behind.

Articles quoting Proverbs 13

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World English Bible translation — public domain.