Proverbs 10:13-15

Easy-to-Read Version

¹³Intelligent people speak words of wisdom, but fools must be punished before they learn their lesson.^[a]

¹⁴Wise people are quiet and learn new things, but fools talk and bring trouble on themselves.

¹⁵Wealth protects the rich, but poverty destroys the poor.

Proverbs 10:13 Literally, “Wisdom can be found on the lips of the intelligent, but a rod on the back of fools.” This is a wordplay. In Hebrew, “lip” sounds like “rod.”

Proverbs 10:13-15

New International Version

¹³Wisdom is found on the lips of the discerning,^(A)
but a rod is for the back of one who has no sense.^(B)

¹⁴The wise store up knowledge,^(C)
but the mouth of a fool invites ruin.^(D)

¹⁵The wealth of the rich is their fortified city,^(E)
but poverty is the ruin of the poor.^(F)

Easy-to-Read Version (ERV)

New International Version (NIV)