Proverbs 13-14:21 (NIV84)

Proverbs 13

¹ A wise son heeds his father’s instruction,
but a mocker does not listen to rebuke.

² From the fruit of his lips a man enjoys good things,
but the unfaithful have a craving for violence.

³ He who guards his lips guards his life,
but he who speaks rashly will come to ruin.

⁴ The sluggard craves and gets nothing,
but the desires of the diligent are fully satisfied.

⁵ The righteous hate what is false,
but the wicked bring shame and disgrace.

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

⁷ One man pretends to be rich, yet has nothing;
another pretends to be poor, yet has great wealth.

⁸ A man’s riches may ransom his life,
but a poor man hears no threat.

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

¹⁰ Pride only breeds quarrels,
but wisdom is found in those who take advice.

¹¹ Dishonest money dwindles away,
but he who gathers money little by little makes it grow.

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

¹³ He who scorns instruction will pay for it,
but he who respects a command is rewarded.

¹⁴ The teaching of the wise is a fountain of life,
turning a man from the snares of death.

¹⁵ Good understanding wins favor,
but the way of the unfaithful is hard. ^[a]

¹⁶ Every prudent man acts out of knowledge,
but a fool exposes his folly.

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

¹⁸ He who ignores discipline comes to poverty and shame,
but whoever heeds correction is honored.

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

²⁰ He who walks with the wise grows wise,
but a companion of fools suffers harm.

²¹ Misfortune pursues the sinner,
but prosperity is the reward of the righteous.

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

²³ A poor man’s field may produce abundant food,
but injustice sweeps it away.

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

²⁵ The righteous eat to their hearts’ content,
but the stomach of the wicked goes hungry.

Proverbs 14

¹ The wise woman builds her house,
but with her own hands the foolish one tears hers down.

² He whose walk is upright fears the LORD,
but he whose ways are devious despises him.

³ A fool’s talk brings a rod to his back,
but the lips of the wise protect them.

⁴ Where there are no oxen, the manger is empty,
but from the strength of an ox comes an abundant harvest.

⁵ A truthful witness does not deceive,
but a false witness pours out lies.

⁶ The mocker seeks wisdom and finds none,
but knowledge comes easily to the discerning.

⁷ Stay away from a foolish man,
for you will not find knowledge on his lips.

⁸ The wisdom of the prudent is to give thought to their ways,
but the folly of fools is deception.

⁹ Fools mock at making amends for sin,
but goodwill is found among the upright.

¹⁰ Each heart knows its own bitterness,
and no one else can share its joy.

¹¹ The house of the wicked will be destroyed,
but the tent of the upright will flourish.

¹² There is a way that seems right to a man,
but in the end it leads to death.

¹³ Even in laughter the heart may ache,
and joy may end in grief.

¹⁴ The faithless will be fully repaid for their ways,
and the good man rewarded for his.

¹⁵ A simple man believes anything,
but a prudent man gives thought to his steps.

¹⁶ A wise man fears the LORD and shuns evil,
but a fool is hotheaded and reckless.

¹⁷ A quick-tempered man does foolish things,
and a crafty man is hated.

¹⁸ The simple inherit folly,
but the prudent are crowned with knowledge.

¹⁹ Evil men will bow down in the presence of the good,
and the wicked at the gates of the righteous.

²⁰ The poor are shunned even by their neighbors,
but the rich have many friends.

²¹ He who despises his neighbor sins,
but blessed is he who is kind to the needy.

Footnotes:

1. Proverbs 13:15 Or unfaithful does not endure