131 A wise son heeds his father's instruction, but a mocker does not respond to rebukes.
2 From the fruit of their lips people enjoy good things, but the unfaithful have an appetite for violence.
3 Those who guard their lips preserve their lives, but those who speak rashly will come to ruin.
4 A sluggard's appetite is never filled, but the desires of the diligent are fully satisfied.
5 The righteous hate what is false, but the wicked make themselves a stench and bring shame on themselves.
6 Righteousness guards the person of integrity, but wickedness overthrows the sinner.
7 One person pretends to be rich, yet has nothing; another pretends to be poor, yet has great wealth.
8 A person's riches may ransom their life, but the poor cannot respond to threatening rebukes.
9 The light of the righteous shines brightly, but the lamp of the wicked is snuffed out.
10 Where there is strife, there is pride, but wisdom is found in those who take advice.
11 Dishonest money dwindles away, 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.
13 Whoever scorns instruction will pay for it, but whoever respects a command is rewarded.
14 The teaching of the wise is a fountain of life, turning a person from the snares of death.
15 Good judgment wins favor, but the way of the unfaithful leads to their destruction.[1]
16 All who are prudent act with[2] knowledge, but fools expose their folly.
17 A wicked messenger falls into trouble, but a trustworthy envoy brings healing.
18 Whoever disregards discipline comes to poverty and shame, but whoever heeds correction is honored.
131 A wise son heareth his father's instruction: but a scorner heareth not rebuke.
2 A man shall eat good by the fruit of his mouth: but the soul of the transgressors shall eat violence.
3 He that keepeth his mouth keepeth his life: but he that openeth wide his lips shall have destruction.
4 The soul of the sluggard desireth, and hath nothing: but the soul of the diligent shall be made fat.
5 A righteous man hateth lying: but a wicked man is loathsome, and cometh to shame.
6 Righteousness keepeth him that is upright in the way: but wickedness overthroweth the sinner.
7 There is that maketh himself rich, yet hath nothing: there is that maketh himself poor, yet hath great riches.
8 The ransom of a man's life are his riches: but the poor heareth not rebuke.
9 The light of the righteous rejoiceth: but the lamp
10 Only by pride cometh contention: but with the well advised is wisdom.
11 Wealth gotten by vanity shall be diminished: but he that gathereth by labour
12 Hope deferred maketh the heart sick: but when the desire cometh, it is a tree of life.
13 Whoso despiseth the word shall be destroyed: but he that feareth the commandment shall be rewarded.
14 The law of the wise is a fountain of life, to depart from the snares of death.
15 Good understanding giveth favour: but the way of transgressors is hard.
16 Every prudent man dealeth with knowledge: but a fool layeth open his folly.
17 A wicked messenger falleth into mischief: but a faithful
18 Poverty and shame shall be to him that refuseth instruction: but he that regardeth reproof shall be honoured.
131 A wise son hears his father's instruction, but a scoffer does not listen to rebuke.
2 From the fruit of his mouth a man eats what is good, but the desire of the treacherous is for violence.
3 Whoever guards his mouth preserves his life; he who opens wide his lips comes to ruin.
4 The soul of the sluggard craves and gets nothing, while the soul of the diligent is richly supplied.
5 The righteous hates falsehood, but the wicked brings shame
6 Righteousness guards him whose way is blameless, but sin overthrows the wicked.
7 One pretends to be rich, yet has nothing; another pretends to be poor, yet has great wealth.
8 The ransom of a man's life is his wealth, but a poor man hears no threat.
9 The light of the righteous rejoices, but the lamp of the wicked will be put out.
10 By insolence comes nothing but strife, but with those who take advice is wisdom.
11 Wealth gained hastily
12 Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but a desire fulfilled is a tree of life.
13 Whoever despises the word brings destruction on himself, but he who reveres the commandment will be rewarded.
14 The teaching of the wise is a fountain of life, that one may turn away from the snares of death.
15 Good sense wins favor, but the way of the treacherous is their ruin.
16 In everything the prudent acts with knowledge, but a fool flaunts his folly.
17 A wicked messenger falls into trouble, but a faithful envoy brings healing.
18 Poverty and disgrace come to him who ignores instruction, but whoever heeds reproof is honored.
131 Intelligent children listen to their parents; foolish children do their own thing.
2 The good acquire a taste for helpful conversation; bullies push and shove their way through life.
3 Careful words make for a careful life; careless talk may ruin everything.
4 Indolence wants it all and gets nothing; the energetic have something to show for their lives.
5 A good person hates false talk; a bad person wallows in gibberish.
6 A God-loyal life keeps you on track; sin dumps the wicked in the ditch.
7 A pretentious, showy life is an empty life; a plain and simple life is a full life.
8 The rich can be sued for everything they have, but the poor are free of such threats.
9 The lives of good people are brightly lit streets; the lives of the wicked are dark alleys.
10 Arrogant know-it-alls stir up discord, but wise men and women listen to each other's counsel.
11 Easy come, easy go, but steady diligence pays off.
12 Unrelenting disappointment leaves you heartsick, but a sudden good break can turn life around.
13 Ignore the Word and suffer; honor God's commands and grow rich.
14 The teaching of the wise is a fountain of life, so, no more drinking from death-tainted wells!
15 Sound thinking makes for gracious living, but liars walk a rough road.
16 A commonsense person lives good sense; fools litter the country with silliness.
17 Irresponsible talk makes a real mess of things, but a reliable reporter is a healing presence.
18 Refuse discipline and end up homeless; embrace correction and live an honored life.
131 A wise son heeds his father's instruction, But a scoffer does not listen to rebuke.
2 A man shall eat well by the fruit of his mouth, But the soul of the unfaithful feeds on violence.
3 He who guards his mouth preserves his life, But he who opens wide his lips shall have destruction.
4 The soul of a lazy man desires, and has nothing; But the soul of the diligent shall be made rich.
5 A righteous man hates lying, But a wicked man is loathsome and comes to shame.
6 Righteousness guards him whose way is blameless, But wickedness overthrows the sinner.
7 There is one who makes himself rich, yet has nothing; And one who makes himself poor, yet has great riches.
8 The ransom of a man's life is his riches, But the poor does not hear rebuke.
9 The light of the righteous rejoices, But the lamp of the wicked will be put out.
10 By pride comes nothing but strife, But with the well-advised is wisdom.
11 Wealth gained by dishonesty will be diminished, But he who gathers by labor will increase.
12 Hope deferred makes the heart sick, But when the desire comes, it is a tree of life.
13 He who despises the word will be destroyed, But he who fears the commandment will be rewarded.
14 The law of the wise is a fountain of life, To turn one away from the snares of death.
15 Good understanding gains favor, But the way of the unfaithful is hard.
16 Every prudent man acts with knowledge, But a fool lays open his folly.
17 A wicked messenger falls into trouble, But a faithful ambassador brings health.
18 Poverty and shame will come to him who disdains correction, But he who regards a rebuke will be honored.
131 A wise child accepts a parent's discipline; a mocker refuses to listen to correction.
2 Wise words will win you a good meal, but treacherous people have an appetite for violence.
3 Those who control their tongue will have a long life; opening your mouth can ruin everything.
4 Lazy people want much but get little, but those who work hard will prosper.
5 The godly hate lies; the wicked cause shame and disgrace.
6 Godliness guards the path of the blameless, but the evil are misled by sin.
7 Some who are poor pretend to be rich; others who are rich pretend to be poor.
8 The rich can pay a ransom for their lives, but the poor won't even get threatened.
9 The life of the godly is full of light and joy, but the light of the wicked will be snuffed out.
10 Pride leads to conflict; those who take advice are wise.
11 Wealth from get-rich-quick schemes quickly disappears; wealth from hard work grows over time.
12 Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but a dream fulfilled is a tree of life.
13 People who despise advice are asking for trouble; those who respect a command will succeed.
14 The instruction of the wise is like a life-giving fountain; those who accept it avoid the snares of death.
15 A person with good sense is respected; a treacherous person is headed for destruction.
16 Wise people think before they act; fools don't-and even brag about their foolishness.
17 An unreliable messenger stumbles into trouble, but a reliable messenger brings healing.
18 If you ignore criticism, you will end in poverty and disgrace; if you accept correction, you will be honored.
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Proverbs 13:1-18
Commentary on Proverbs 13:1
(Read Proverbs 13:1)
There is great hope of those that reverence their parents. There is little hope of any who will not hear those that deal faithfully with them.
Commentary on Proverbs 13:2
(Read Proverbs 13:2)
By our words we must be justified or condemned, Matthew 12:37.
Commentary on Proverbs 13:3
(Read Proverbs 13:3)
He that thinks before he speaks, that suppresses evil if he have thought it, keeps his soul from a great deal both of guilt and grief. Many a one is ruined by an ungoverned tongue.
Commentary on Proverbs 13:4
(Read Proverbs 13:4)
The slothful desire the gains the diligent get, but hate the pains the diligent take; therefore they have nothing. This is especially true as to the soul.
Commentary on Proverbs 13:5
(Read Proverbs 13:5)
Where sin reigns, the man is loathsome. If his conscience were awake, he would abhor himself, and repent in dust and ashes.
Commentary on Proverbs 13:6
(Read Proverbs 13:6)
An honest desire to do right, preserves a man from fatal mistakes, better than a thousand fine-drawn distinctions.
Commentary on Proverbs 13:7
(Read Proverbs 13:7)
Some who are really poor, trade and spend as if they were rich: this is sin, and will be shame, and it will end accordingly. Some that are really rich, would be thought to be poor: in this there is want of gratitude to God, want of justice and charity to others. There are many hypocrites, empty of grace, who will not be convinced of their poverty. There are many fearing Christians, who are spiritually rich, yet think themselves poor; by their doubts, and complaints, and griefs, they make themselves poor.
Commentary on Proverbs 13:8
(Read Proverbs 13:8)
Great riches often tempt to violence against those that possess them; but the poor are free from such perils.
Commentary on Proverbs 13:9
(Read Proverbs 13:9)
The light of the righteous is as that of the sun, which may be eclipsed and clouded, but will continue: the Spirit is their Light, he gives a fulness of joy: that of the wicked is as a lamp of their own kindling, easily put out.
Commentary on Proverbs 13:10
(Read Proverbs 13:10)
All contentions, whether between private persons, families, churches, or nations, are begun and carried forward by pride. Disputes would be easily prevented or ended, if it were not for pride.
Commentary on Proverbs 13:11
(Read Proverbs 13:11)
Wealth gotten by dishonesty or vice, has a secret curse, which will speedily waste it.
Commentary on Proverbs 13:12
(Read Proverbs 13:12)
The delay of what is anxiously hoped for, is very painful to the mind; obtaining it is very pleasant. But spiritual blessings are chiefly intended.
Commentary on Proverbs 13:13
(Read Proverbs 13:13)
He that stands in awe of God, and reverences his word, shall escape destruction, and be rewarded for his godly fear.
Commentary on Proverbs 13:14
(Read Proverbs 13:14)
The rule by which the wise regulate their conduct, is a fountain yielding life and happiness.
Commentary on Proverbs 13:15
(Read Proverbs 13:15)
The way of sinners is hard upon others, and hard to the sinner himself. The service of sin is slavery; the road to hell is strewed with the thorns and thistles that followed the curse.
Commentary on Proverbs 13:16
(Read Proverbs 13:16)
It is folly to talk of things of which we know nothing, and to undertake what we are no way fit for.
Commentary on Proverbs 13:17
(Read Proverbs 13:17)
Those that are wicked, and false to Christ and to the souls of men, do mischief, and fall into mischief; but those that are faithful, find sound words healing to others and to themselves.
Commentary on Proverbs 13:18
(Read Proverbs 13:18)
He that scorns to be taught, will certainly be brought down.