Proverbs 13

King James Version (KJV) · English

1 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 of the wicked shall be put out. 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 shall increase. 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 ambassador is health. 18 Poverty and shame shall be to him that refuseth instruction: but he that regardeth reproof shall be honoured. 19 The desire accomplished is sweet to the soul: but it is abomination to fools to depart from evil. 20 He that walketh with wise men shall be wise: but a companion of fools shall be destroyed. 21 Evil pursueth sinners: but to the righteous good shall be repayed. 22 A good man leaveth an inheritance to his children’s children: and the wealth of the sinner is laid up for the just. 23 Much food is in the tillage of the poor: but there is that is destroyed for want of judgment. 24 He that spareth his rod hateth his son: but he that loveth him chasteneth him betimes. 25 The righteous eateth to the satisfying of his soul: but the belly of the wicked shall want.

Commentary — not Bible text

Proverbs 13:2

2. shall eat--that is, obtain (Pr 12:14).

transgressors--as in Pr 2:22.

violence--or, "mischief" to themselves.

Proverbs 13:3

3. He ... mouth ... life--because evil speeches may provoke violence from others.

he that openeth wide his lips shall have destruction--On last clause, compare Pr 10:14.

Proverbs 13:5

5. loathsome ... shame--better, causeth shame and reproach (compare Pr 19:26), by slander, &c., which the righteous hates.

Proverbs 13:6

6. A sentiment of frequent recurrence, that piety benefits and sin injures.

Proverbs 13:7

7. In opposite ways men act hypocritically for gain of honor or wealth.

Proverbs 13:8

8. Riches save some from punishment, while others suffer because they will not heed the rebuke of sloth, which makes and keeps them poor.

Proverbs 13:9

9. light ... lamp--prosperity; the first, the greater, and it

rejoiceth--burns brightly, or continues, while the other, at best small, soon fails.

Proverbs 13:10

10. The obstinacy which attends self-conceit, produces contention, which the well-advised, thus evincing modesty, avoid.

Proverbs 13:11

11. by vanity--or, "nothingness," that is, which is vain or useless to the public (as card playing or similar vices).

gathereth ... labour--(Compare Margin), little by little, laboriously.

Proverbs 13:12

12. desire cometh--is realized.

a tree of life--or, "cause of happiness."

Proverbs 13:13

13. the word--that is, of advice, or, instruction (compare Pr 10:27; 11:31).

Proverbs 13:14

14. (Compare Pr 10:11).

fountain--or, "source of life."

to depart--(compare Pr 1:2-4), or, "for departing," &c., and so gives life.

Proverbs 13:15

15. Right perception and action secure good will, while evil ways are difficult as a stony road. The wicked left of God find punishment of sin in sinning.

hard--or, "harsh" (compare Hebrew: De 21:4; Jr 5:15).

Proverbs 13:16

16. dealeth--acts with foresight.

a fool ... folly--for want of caution.

Proverbs 13:17

17. A wicked--or, "unfaithful"

messenger falleth into mischief--or, "by mischief," or "evil," and so his errand fails. Contrasted is the character of the faithful, whose faithfulness benefits others.

Proverbs 13:19

19. Self-denial, which fools will not endure, is essential to success.

Proverbs 13:20

20. The benefits of good and evil of bad society are contrasted.

Proverbs 13:21

21. (Compare Pr 11:31).

good ... repaid--or, "He (God) will repay good."

Proverbs 13:22

22. wealth ... just--While good men's estates remain in their families, God so orders that the gains of sinners enure to the just (compare Pr 28:8; Psa 37:18, 22, 26, &c.).

Proverbs 13:23

23. The laboring poor prosper more than those who injudiciously or wickedly strive, by fraud and violence, to supersede the necessity of lawful labor.

Proverbs 13:24

24. spareth--or, "withholds."

rod--of correction.

hateth--or, acts as if he hated him (compare Pr 3:12; 8:36).

chasteneth ... betimes--or, "diligently seeks for him all useful discipline."

Proverbs 13:25

25. The comparative temporal prosperity of the righteous and wicked, rather than contentment and discontent, is noted.

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