Chapter 13

¹ A wise son is obedient to his father: but a disobedient son will be destroyed. ² A good man shall eat of the fruits of righteousness: but the lives of transgressors shall perish before their time. ³ He that keeps his own mouth keeps his own life: but he that is hasty with his lips shall bring terror upon himself. ⁴ Every slothful man desires, but the hands of the active are diligent. ⁵ A righteous man hates an unjust word: but an ungodly man is ashamed, and will have no confidence.¹⁷ There are some who, having nothing, enrich themselves: and there are some who bring themselves down in the midst of much wealth.

⁸ A man’s own wealth is the ransom of his

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life: but the poor ²endures not threatening. ⁹ The righteous always have light: but the light of the ungodly is quenched. Crafty souls go astray in sins: but just men pity, and are merciful. ¹⁰ A bad man does evil with insolence: but they that are judges of themselves are wise. ¹¹ Wealth gotten hastily with iniquity is diminished: but he that gathers for himself with godliness shall be increased. The righteous is merciful, and lends. ¹² Better is he that begins to help heartily, than he that promises and leads another to hope: for a good desire is a tree of life. ¹³ He that slights a matter shall be slighted of it: but he that fears the commandment has health of soul. To a crafty son there shall be nothing good: but a wise servant shall have prosperous doings, and his way shall be directed aright.

¹⁴ The law of the wise is fountain of life: but the man void of understanding shall die by a snare. ¹⁵ Sound discretion gives favour, and to know the law is the part of a sound understanding: but the ways of scorners tend to destruction.

¹⁶ Every prudent man acts with knowledge: but the fool displays his own mischief. ¹⁷ A rash king shall fall into mischief: but a wise messenger shall deliver him. ¹⁸ Instruction removes poverty and disgrace: but he that attends to reproofs shall be honoured. ¹⁹ The desires of the godly gladden the soul, but the works of the ungodly are far from knowledge. ²⁰ If thou walkest with wise men thou shalt be wise: but he that walks with fools shall be known. ²¹ Evil shall pursue sinners; but good shall overtake the righteous. ²² A good man shall inherit children’s children; and the wealth of ungodly men is laid up for the just. ²³ The righteous shall spend many years in wealth: but the unrighteous shall perish suddenly.

²⁴ He that spares the rod hates his son: but he that loves, carefully chastens him. ²⁵ A just man eats and satisfies his soul: but the souls of the ungodly are in want.