13
1 A wise son accepts his father's discipline, but a mocker doesn't listen to correction.
2 You'll be rewarded for saying good things, but dishonest people want violence.
3 Watch what you say and save your life—saying too much leads to disaster.
4 Lazy people want a lot, but get nothing; if you work hard you'll be well rewarded.
5 Good people hate lies, but the wicked cause a stink and bring disgrace.
6 Goodness protects those who live right, but sin overcomes the wicked.
7 Some pretend to be rich, but don't have anything, while others pretend to be poor and are very rich.
8 The rich can pay a ransom to save their lives, but the poor aren't troubled in this way.*The meaning of the Hebrew in the second line is not clear.
9 The life of good people shines brightly,†“Shines brightly”: or, “causes joy.” but the lamp of the wicked will be snuffed out.
10 Pride only causes conflict; but those who take advice are wise.
11 Wealth gained by fraud quickly disappears, but those who gather bit by bit prosper.
12 Hope that's delayed makes you feel sick, but a wish that comes true revives you.‡“Revives you”: literally, “a tree of life.”
13 If you despise words of advice, you'll pay for it; but if you respect what you're told, you'll be rewarded.
14 The teaching of the wise is like a fountain of life, so you can avoid the snares of death.
15 Good sense earns appreciation, but the way of the unfaithful is hard.§“The way of the unfaithful is hard.” Septuagint version: “the ways of scorners lead to destruction.”
16 All wise people act intelligently, but stupid people demonstrate their stupidity.
17 A bad messenger creates*“Creates”: literally, “falls into.” trouble, but a faithful representative brings healing.
18 Poverty and disgrace come to those who ignore instruction, but those who accept correction are honored.
19 It's nice to see a wish come true, but stupid people hate to turn away from evil to achieve this.
20 Being friends with wise people will make you wise, but being friends with stupid people will only cause you problems.
21 Tragedy chases after the sinner, but prosperity rewards the good.
22 Good people leave an inheritance to their grandchildren, but the sinner's wealth is saved for those who live right.
23 The unploughed ground of the poor could produce a lot of food, but it's stolen through injustice.
24 People who don't discipline their children hate them. Those who love their children carefully discipline them.
25 The good eat until they're full; but the belly of the wicked is empty.
*13:8 The meaning of the Hebrew in the second line is not clear.
†13:9 “Shines brightly”: or, “causes joy.”
‡13:12 “Revives you”: literally, “a tree of life.”
§13:15 “The way of the unfaithful is hard.” Septuagint version: “the ways of scorners lead to destruction.”
*13:17 “Creates”: literally, “falls into.”