Proverbs 13 in plain modern English. New Ground English Translation.
Time Period
~970-930 BC, during the reign of King Solomon
Location
Jerusalem, Kingdom of Israel
Audience
Solomon's son (likely Rehoboam) and young men in the royal court
Situation
Proverbs 13 presents a collection of Solomonic wisdom sayings in mostly antithetical form, contrasting the outcomes of wise/righteous versus foolish/wicked behavior in areas like speech, wealth, discipline, and relationships.
Key Background
The Book of Proverbs is part of Israel's wisdom literature, emphasizing practical living rooted in 'the fear of the Lord' as the foundation of true wisdom. Attributed mainly to Solomon, renowned for his God-given wisdom (1 Kings 3-4), these proverbs draw from ancient Near Eastern traditions but uniquely center on Yahweh's moral order. Chapter 13 illuminates everyday ethical choices, portraying wisdom as a path to life and prosperity while folly leads to ruin and shame.
A child takes a father's to heart, but a won't even listen to a rebuke.
Good people enjoy the of their words, but those who deal in have an appetite for violence.
Whoever their mouth protects their life, but whoever talks without thinking is headed for
The craves but gets nothing; the will be richly satisfied.
An person hates but the corrupt person brings shame and disgrace.
guards those who live with integrity, but ruins the one who fails.
Some to be but have nothing; others to be poor but have great wealth.
A person's wealth can serve as for their life, but the poor never even face that kind of threat.
The of the upright shines brightly, but the of the corrupt sputters out.
only sparks conflict, but wisdom is found in those who take advice.
Wealth gained by will shrink away, but whoever builds it little by little will see it grow.
that on makes the heart sick, but a longing fulfilled is a of
Whoever despises a of will pay for it, but whoever respects the will be rewarded.
The of a wise person is a of turning you away from the of
wins favor, but the road of the is hard and unforgiving.
Every person acts with knowledge, but a parades their stupidity.
An messenger falls into trouble, but a trustworthy envoy brings
Poverty and disgrace come to whoever ignores but whoever embraces will be honored.
A desire fulfilled is to the but fools can't stand to turn away from
with the wise and you'll grow wise; fools and you'll pay for it.
Trouble those who but good things reward the
A good person leaves an for their grandchildren, but the wealth of someone who fails ends up in the hands of the upright.
There's plenty of food in the of the poor, but sweeps it away.
Whoever holds back the hates their child, but the one who truly them is careful to them.
The eat until they're satisfied, but the of the corrupt is always empty.