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Proverbs 13-15
English Standard Version
Proverbs 13-15
English Standard Version
13 A wise son hears his father's instruction,
but (A)a scoffer does not listen to rebuke.
2 From the fruit of his mouth a man (B)eats what is good,
but the desire of the treacherous (C)is for violence.
3 (D)Whoever guards his mouth preserves his life;
(E)he who opens wide his lips (F)comes to ruin.
4 (G)The soul of the sluggard craves and gets nothing,
while the soul of the diligent (H)is richly supplied.
5 The righteous hates falsehood,
but the wicked brings shame[a] and disgrace.
6 (I)Righteousness guards him whose (J)way is blameless,
but sin overthrows the wicked.
7 (K)One pretends to be rich,[b] yet has nothing;
(L)another pretends to be poor,[c] yet has great wealth.
8 The ransom of a man's life is his wealth,
but a poor man (M)hears no threat.
9 (N)The light of the righteous rejoices,
but (O)the lamp of the wicked will be put out.
10 (P)By insolence comes nothing but strife,
but with those who take advice is wisdom.
11 (Q)Wealth gained hastily[d] will dwindle,
but whoever gathers little by little will increase it.
12 Hope deferred makes the heart sick,
(R)but a desire fulfilled is (S)a tree of life.
13 Whoever (T)despises (U)the word[e] brings destruction on himself,
but he who reveres the commandment[f] will be (V)rewarded.
14 The teaching of the wise is (W)a fountain of life,
that one may (X)turn away from the snares of death.
15 (Y)Good sense wins (Z)favor,
but the way of the treacherous is their ruin.[g]
16 (AA)Every prudent man acts with knowledge,
(AB)but a fool flaunts his folly.
17 A wicked messenger falls into trouble,
but (AC)a faithful envoy brings healing.
18 Poverty and disgrace come to him who (AD)ignores instruction,
(AE)but whoever (AF)heeds reproof is honored.
19 (AG)A desire fulfilled is sweet to the soul,
but to turn away from evil is an abomination to fools.
20 Whoever walks with the wise becomes wise,
but the companion of fools will suffer harm.
21 (AH)Disaster[h] pursues sinners,
(AI)but the righteous are rewarded with good.
22 (AJ)A good man leaves an inheritance to his children's children,
but (AK)the sinner's wealth is laid up for the righteous.
23 The fallow ground of the poor would yield much food,
but it is swept away through (AL)injustice.
24 (AM)Whoever spares the rod hates his son,
but he who loves him is diligent to discipline him.[i]
25 (AN)The righteous has enough to satisfy his appetite,
but the belly of the wicked suffers want.
14 (AO)The wisest of women (AP)builds her house,
but folly with her own hands (AQ)tears it down.
2 Whoever (AR)walks in uprightness fears the Lord,
but he who is (AS)devious in his ways despises him.
3 By the mouth of a fool comes (AT)a rod for his back,[j]
(AU)but the lips of the wise will preserve them.
4 Where there are no oxen, the manger is clean,
but abundant crops come by the strength of the ox.
5 (AV)A faithful witness does not lie,
but (AW)a false witness breathes out lies.
6 (AX)A scoffer seeks wisdom (AY)in vain,
but (AZ)knowledge is easy for a man of understanding.
7 Leave the presence of a fool,
for there you do not meet words of knowledge.
8 The wisdom of the prudent is to discern his way,
but the folly of fools is deceiving.
9 (BA)Fools mock at the guilt offering,
but the upright enjoy acceptance.[k]
10 The heart knows its own (BB)bitterness,
and no stranger shares its joy.
11 (BC)The house of the wicked will be destroyed,
but the tent of the upright will flourish.
12 (BD)There is a way that seems right to a man,
but (BE)its end is the way to death.[l]
13 Even in laughter the heart may ache,
and (BF)the end of joy may be (BG)grief.
14 The backslider in heart will be (BH)filled with the fruit of his ways,
and (BI)a good man will be filled with the fruit of his ways.
15 (BJ)The simple believes everything,
but the prudent gives thought to his steps.
16 (BK)One who is wise is cautious[m] and (BL)turns away from evil,
but a fool is reckless and careless.
17 A man of (BM)quick temper acts foolishly,
and a man of evil devices is hated.
18 The simple inherit folly,
but the prudent are crowned with knowledge.
19 (BN)The evil bow down before the good,
the wicked at the gates of the righteous.
20 (BO)The poor is disliked even by his neighbor,
(BP)but the rich has many friends.
21 Whoever (BQ)despises his neighbor is a sinner,
but (BR)blessed is he who is generous to the poor.
22 Do they not go astray who (BS)devise evil?
Those who devise good meet[n] (BT)steadfast love and faithfulness.
23 In all toil there is profit,
but mere talk (BU)tends only to poverty.
24 The crown of the wise is their wealth,
but the folly of fools brings folly.
25 A truthful witness saves lives,
but one who (BV)breathes out lies is deceitful.
26 In the fear of the Lord one has (BW)strong confidence,
and (BX)his children will have (BY)a refuge.
27 The fear of the Lord is (BZ)a fountain of life,
that one may (CA)turn away from the snares of death.
28 In (CB)a multitude of people is the glory of a king,
but without people a prince is ruined.
29 Whoever is (CC)slow to anger has great understanding,
but he who has a hasty temper exalts folly.
30 A tranquil[o] heart gives (CD)life to the flesh,
but (CE)envy[p] makes (CF)the bones rot.
31 Whoever oppresses a poor man (CG)insults his (CH)Maker,
(CI)but he who is generous to the needy honors him.
32 (CJ)The wicked is overthrown through his evildoing,
but (CK)the righteous finds refuge in his death.
33 Wisdom (CL)rests in the heart of a man of understanding,
but it makes itself known even in the midst of fools.[q]
34 Righteousness exalts a nation,
but sin is a reproach to any people.
35 A servant who deals wisely has (CM)the king's favor,
but his wrath falls on one who acts shamefully.
15 (CN)A soft answer turns away wrath,
but (CO)a harsh word stirs up anger.
2 The tongue of the wise commends knowledge,
but (CP)the mouths of fools pour out folly.
3 (CQ)The eyes of the Lord are in every place,
keeping watch on the evil and the good.
4 (CR)A gentle[r] tongue is (CS)a tree of life,
but (CT)perverseness in it breaks the spirit.
5 (CU)A fool (CV)despises his father's instruction,
but (CW)whoever heeds reproof is prudent.
6 In the house of the righteous there is much treasure,
but trouble befalls the income of the wicked.
7 (CX)The lips of the wise spread knowledge;
(CY)not so the hearts of fools.[s]
8 (CZ)The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination to the Lord,
but (DA)the prayer of the upright is acceptable to him.
9 The way of the wicked is an abomination to the Lord,
but he loves him (DB)who pursues righteousness.
10 There is (DC)severe discipline for him who forsakes the way;
(DD)whoever hates reproof will die.
11 Sheol and Abaddon lie open before the Lord;
how much more (DE)the hearts of the children of man!
12 (DF)A scoffer (DG)does not like to be reproved;
he will not go to the wise.
13 (DH)A glad heart makes a cheerful face,
but by (DI)sorrow of heart the spirit is (DJ)crushed.
14 (DK)The heart of him who has understanding seeks knowledge,
but the mouths of fools feed on folly.
15 All the days of the afflicted are evil,
but (DL)the cheerful of heart has a continual feast.
16 (DM)Better is a little with the fear of the Lord
than great treasure and trouble with it.
17 (DN)Better is a dinner of herbs where love is
than (DO)a fattened ox and hatred with it.
18 (DP)A hot-tempered man (DQ)stirs up strife,
but he who is (DR)slow to anger quiets contention.
19 The way of (DS)a sluggard is like a hedge of (DT)thorns,
but the path of the upright is (DU)a level highway.
20 (DV)A wise son makes a glad father,
but a foolish man despises his mother.
21 (DW)Folly is a joy to him who lacks sense,
but a man of understanding (DX)walks straight ahead.
22 (DY)Without counsel plans fail,
but with many advisers they succeed.
23 To make an apt answer is a joy to a man,
and (DZ)a word in season, how good it is!
24 The path of life leads upward (EA)for the prudent,
that he may turn away from Sheol beneath.
25 The Lord tears down the house of (EB)the proud
but (EC)maintains (ED)the widow's boundaries.
26 (EE)The thoughts of the wicked are an abomination to the Lord,
but (EF)gracious words are pure.
27 Whoever is (EG)greedy for unjust gain (EH)troubles his own household,
but he who hates (EI)bribes will live.
28 The heart of the righteous (EJ)ponders how to answer,
but (EK)the mouth of the wicked pours out evil things.
29 The Lord is (EL)far from the wicked,
but he (EM)hears the prayer of the righteous.
30 (EN)The light of the eyes rejoices the heart,
and (EO)good news refreshes[t] the bones.
31 (EP)The ear that listens to (EQ)life-giving reproof
will dwell among the wise.
32 Whoever (ER)ignores instruction (ES)despises himself,
but he who listens to reproof (ET)gains intelligence.
33 (EU)The fear of the Lord is instruction in wisdom,
and (EV)humility comes before honor.
Footnotes
- Proverbs 13:5 Or stench
- Proverbs 13:7 Or One makes himself rich
- Proverbs 13:7 Or another makes himself poor
- Proverbs 13:11 Or by fraud
- Proverbs 13:13 Or a word
- Proverbs 13:13 Or a commandment
- Proverbs 13:15 Probable reading (compare Septuagint, Syriac, Vulgate); Hebrew is rugged, or is an enduring rut
- Proverbs 13:21 Or Evil
- Proverbs 13:24 Or who loves him disciplines him early
- Proverbs 14:3 Or In the mouth of a fool is a rod of pride
- Proverbs 14:9 Hebrew but among the upright is acceptance
- Proverbs 14:12 Hebrew ways of death
- Proverbs 14:16 Or fears [the Lord]
- Proverbs 14:22 Or show
- Proverbs 14:30 Or healing
- Proverbs 14:30 Or jealousy
- Proverbs 14:33 Or Wisdom rests quietly in the heart of a man of understanding, but makes itself known in the midst of fools
- Proverbs 15:4 Or healing
- Proverbs 15:7 Or the hearts of fools are not steadfast
- Proverbs 15:30 Hebrew makes fat
Proverbs 13-15
New International Version
Proverbs 13-15
New International Version
13 A wise son heeds his father’s instruction,
but a mocker does not respond to rebukes.(A)
2 From the fruit of their lips people enjoy good things,(B)
but the unfaithful have an appetite for violence.
3 Those who guard their lips(C) preserve their lives,(D)
but those who speak rashly will come to ruin.(E)
4 A sluggard’s appetite is never filled,(F)
but the desires of the diligent are fully satisfied.
5 The righteous hate what is false,(G)
but the wicked make themselves a stench
and bring shame on themselves.
6 Righteousness guards the person of integrity,
but wickedness overthrows the sinner.(H)
7 One person pretends to be rich, yet has nothing;(I)
another pretends to be poor, yet has great wealth.(J)
8 A person’s riches may ransom their life,
but the poor cannot respond to threatening rebukes.(K)
9 The light of the righteous shines brightly,
but the lamp of the wicked is snuffed out.(L)
10 Where there is strife, there is pride,
but wisdom is found in those who take advice.(M)
11 Dishonest money dwindles away,(N)
but whoever gathers money little by little makes it grow.
12 Hope deferred makes the heart sick,
but a longing fulfilled is a tree of life.(O)
15 Good judgment wins favor,
but the way of the unfaithful leads to their destruction.[a]
18 Whoever disregards discipline comes to poverty and shame,(Y)
but whoever heeds correction is honored.(Z)
19 A longing fulfilled is sweet to the soul,(AA)
but fools detest turning from evil.
20 Walk with the wise and become wise,
for a companion of fools suffers harm.(AB)
22 A good person leaves an inheritance for their children’s children,
but a sinner’s wealth is stored up for the righteous.(AF)
23 An unplowed field produces food for the poor,
but injustice sweeps it away.
24 Whoever spares the rod(AG) hates their children,
but the one who loves their children is careful to discipline(AH) them.(AI)
25 The righteous eat to their hearts’ content,
but the stomach of the wicked goes hungry.(AJ)
14 The wise woman builds her house,(AK)
but with her own hands the foolish one tears hers down.
2 Whoever fears the Lord walks uprightly,
but those who despise him are devious in their ways.
4 Where there are no oxen, the manger is empty,
but from the strength of an ox(AN) come abundant harvests.
5 An honest witness does not deceive,
but a false witness pours out lies.(AO)
6 The mocker seeks wisdom and finds none,
but knowledge comes easily to the discerning.(AP)
7 Stay away from a fool,
for you will not find knowledge on their lips.
8 The wisdom of the prudent is to give thought to their ways,(AQ)
but the folly of fools is deception.(AR)
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.
13 Even in laughter(AW) the heart may ache,
and rejoicing may end in grief.
15 The simple believe anything,
but the prudent give thought to their steps.(AZ)
17 A quick-tempered person(BC) does foolish things,(BD)
and the one who devises evil schemes is hated.(BE)
18 The simple inherit folly,
but the prudent are crowned with knowledge.
19 Evildoers will bow down in the presence of the good,
and the wicked at the gates of the righteous.(BF)
20 The poor are shunned even by their neighbors,
but the rich have many friends.(BG)
22 Do not those who plot evil go astray?(BJ)
But those who plan what is good find[c] love and faithfulness.
23 All hard work brings a profit,
but mere talk leads only to poverty.
24 The wealth of the wise is their crown,
but the folly of fools yields folly.(BK)
25 A truthful witness saves lives,
but a false witness is deceitful.(BL)
26 Whoever fears the Lord has a secure fortress,(BM)
and for their children it will be a refuge.(BN)
28 A large population is a king’s glory,
but without subjects a prince is ruined.(BQ)
29 Whoever is patient has great understanding,(BR)
but one who is quick-tempered displays folly.(BS)
30 A heart at peace gives life to the body,
but envy rots the bones.(BT)
31 Whoever oppresses the poor shows contempt for their Maker,(BU)
but whoever is kind to the needy honors God.(BV)
32 When calamity comes, the wicked are brought down,(BW)
but even in death the righteous seek refuge in God.(BX)
33 Wisdom reposes in the heart of the discerning(BY)
and even among fools she lets herself be known.[d]
34 Righteousness exalts a nation,(BZ)
but sin condemns any people.
35 A king delights in a wise servant,
but a shameful servant arouses his fury.(CA)
5 A fool spurns a parent’s discipline,
but whoever heeds correction shows prudence.(CL)
6 The house of the righteous contains great treasure,(CM)
but the income of the wicked brings ruin.(CN)
7 The lips of the wise spread knowledge,(CO)
but the hearts of fools are not upright.
8 The Lord detests the sacrifice(CP) of the wicked,(CQ)
but the prayer of the upright pleases him.(CR)
10 Stern discipline awaits anyone who leaves the path;
the one who hates correction will die.(CU)
12 Mockers resent correction,(CX)
so they avoid the wise.
14 The discerning heart seeks knowledge,(DA)
but the mouth of a fool feeds on folly.
15 All the days of the oppressed are wretched,
but the cheerful heart has a continual feast.(DB)
16 Better a little with the fear of the Lord
than great wealth with turmoil.(DC)
17 Better a small serving of vegetables with love
than a fattened calf with hatred.(DD)
19 The way of the sluggard is blocked with thorns,(DG)
but the path of the upright is a highway.
20 A wise son brings joy to his father,(DH)
but a foolish man despises his mother.
21 Folly brings joy to one who has no sense,(DI)
but whoever has understanding keeps a straight course.
24 The path of life leads upward for the prudent
to keep them from going down to the realm of the dead.
25 The Lord tears down the house of the proud,(DO)
but he sets the widow’s boundary stones in place.(DP)
26 The Lord detests the thoughts(DQ) of the wicked,(DR)
but gracious words are pure(DS) in his sight.
27 The greedy bring ruin to their households,
but the one who hates bribes will live.(DT)
29 The Lord is far from the wicked,
but he hears the prayer of the righteous.(DW)
30 Light in a messenger’s eyes brings joy to the heart,
and good news gives health to the bones.(DX)
31 Whoever heeds life-giving correction
will be at home among the wise.(DY)
Footnotes
- Proverbs 13:15 Septuagint and Syriac; the meaning of the Hebrew for this phrase is uncertain.
- Proverbs 13:16 Or prudent protect themselves through
- Proverbs 14:22 Or show
- Proverbs 14:33 Hebrew; Septuagint and Syriac discerning / but in the heart of fools she is not known
- Proverbs 15:11 Hebrew Abaddon
English Standard Version (ESV) 
The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.
New International Version (NIV) 
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NIV Reverse Interlinear Bible: English to Hebrew and English to Greek. Copyright © 2019 by Zondervan.