Proverbs 13:1–25

¹ 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. ¹⁹ A desire accomplished is sweet to the soul, But it is an abomination to fools to depart from evil. ²⁰ He who walks with wise men will be wise, But the companion of fools will be destroyed. ²¹ Evil pursues sinners, But to the righteous, good shall be repaid. ²² A good man leaves an inheritance to his children’s children, But the wealth of the sinner is stored up for the righteous. ²³ Much food is in the fallow ground of the poor, And for lack of justice there is waste. ²⁴ He who spares his rod hates his son, But he who loves him disciplines him promptly. ²⁵ The righteous eats to the satisfying of his soul, But the stomach of the wicked shall be in want.

Commentary 

Vs. 1 “A wise son heeds his father’s instruction, 

But a scoffer does not listen to rebuke.” 

The son who listens to his father’s instruction is wise, because he not only learns and grows as he does, but he also receives favor from God for doing so. In contrast the scoffer in his blind arrogance not only refuses instruction that would help him, but he also disdains any rebuke from his father that would keep him from any more troubles. 

Vs. 2 “A man shall eat well by the fruit of his mouth, 

But the soul of the unfaithful feeds on violence.” 

If one uses derogatory and cutting speech all the time, then the fallout from that will be what one feasts on. Same with those whose words are kind, whose words try to encourage or comfort others, they too will eat well from the fruit of their lips. Now there are those whose souls only desire and look for violence, who literally feed on it, who when they’re not trying to stir up amongst men, they actively participate in it. These are unfaithful to God. 

Vs. 3 “He who guards his mouth preserves his life, 

But he who opens wide his lips shall have destruction.” 

There is wisdom in guarding one’s speech before God and man, for as the Proverbs says here by doing so one preserves one’s life. (James 3:1-12 also touches on this critical subject matter.) In contrast when opens wide their lips and lets whatever madness, vileness, wickedness etc. be expressed they are only sowing the seeds for their own ruin and destruction. 

Vs. 4 “The soul of a lazy man desires, and has nothing; 

But the soul of the diligent shall be made rich.” 

The Lazy person dreams all day long about this thing or that, and yet because they will not put the work and time and effort into their desires to attain them, in the end, then end up with nothing. In contrast the diligent person gets up early, and puts their nose to grindstone, and gets about doing what they need to do to be successful in life. And so, they shall be made rich, as both their persons and lives will find not only much momentary gain and reward and promotions for their efforts, but more importantly they will have very much personal fulfillment and enjoyment in their lives as well. Now in the Spiritual realm this also applies as people who put the time and effort into growing their own knowledge and faith and service in the Lord will all be justly rewarded by Him, just as surely as the lazy person will be who did nothing with the talent given them by God will be (Matt. 25:14-30). 

Vs. 5 “A righteous man hates lying, 

But a wicked man is loathsome and comes to shame.” 

Righteous people hate lying, hate deception, hate dishonest dealings because all these are contrary to honest and upright living. In contrast the wicked has no reservations about doing such things, and so their persons and lives are loathsome, as they’re unprincipled nature brings them into every shameful and repugnant deed and act. 

Vs. 6 “Righteousness guards him whose way is blameless, 

But wickedness overthrows the sinner. 

The greatest security one can have in life is to walk righteously with God, for righteousness always guards those who are blameless before Him. In contrast the sinner is soon overthrown by their own sins. 

Vs. 7 “There is one who makes himself rich, 

yet has nothing; And one who makes himself poor, yet has great riches.” 

Those who make themselves rich often do so, chasing and pursuing their riches to the neglect of their own souls’ welfare, as Jesus warned in so many ways and at so many times, saying: “What would it profit a man if he gained the whole world but lost his own soul.” ^{Mark 8:36} And so what does the rich man actually possess if he doesn’t have Christ, only fleeting riches that others will take possession of when he passes away to face his judgment and then eternity! Then are those who forsake their lives and dreams and seek out and pursue God’s Will for them, these then are often materially poor because they put their lives and energies into building Christ’s Kingdom, not their own, and so though they appear outwardly poor now, in fact they are inwardly rich, because they are living lives that satisfy here and now, but also for all eternity they shall forever be satisfied when the Lord Jesus Christ rewards all His servants for what they have done for Him (consider Matt. 19:29-30). 

Vs. 8 “The ransom of a man’s life is his riches, 

But the poor does not hear rebuke.” 

A rich man’s life is swallowed up by his own riches, indeed he will always have to face those institutions or individuals or even unforeseen events and threats which want to take them from him. The poor man though has no such problems or worries. 

Vs. 9 “The light of the righteous rejoices, 

But the lamp of the wicked will be put out.” 

There is joy in living righteously, indeed when someone comes to believe in the Lord Jesus Christ, and thus they have all their sins are washed away, they shine brightly, radiating THE LOVE AND GRACE OF God as a pre-cursor to their eternal destiny. In contrast the lamp of wicked is only destined to be put out. 

Vs. 10 “By pride comes nothing but strife, 

But with the well-advised is wisdom.” 

When someone walks in pride they only promote and create strife, not peace and reconciliation. Conversely when someone is humble enough to listen too and receive counsel, they find wisdom. 

Vs. 11 “Wealth gained by dishonesty will be diminished, 

But he who gathers by labor will increase.” 

Those who gain their wealth through dishonest means will have it diminished, whether by the direct intervention of God, or by their own choices and decisions. In contrast honest labor always brings with it an honest reward. 

Vs. 12 “Hope deferred makes the heart sick, 

But when the desire comes, it is a tree of life.” 

When ones hope or expectation is not met or fulfilled there is great disappointment, but when it is there is great jubilation! 

Vs. 13 “He who despises the word will be destroyed, 

But he who fears the commandment will be rewarded.” 

Those who despise the Word of God will be destroyed (consider Luke 19:27), while those who fear God’s commandment to repent and believe in His Son the Lord Jesus Christ will be rewarded, with remission of all their sins and everlasting life! 

Vs. 14 “The law of the wise is a fountain of life, 

To turn one away from the snares of death.” 

The Law of the wise is born out of the Word of God; it’s commandments, its statutes, its principals, its truths, all which bring life to those who believe and heed them, for by them they turn people away from sin and death and from the power of Satan to God. The Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ then is the Law of the wise. 

Vs. 15 “Good understanding gains favor, 

But the way of the unfaithful is hard.” 

Good understanding, that is those who understand and discern the Word of God correctly gain favor with all, (consider Daniel), while those who follow the degenerate and deceived course of this world are only on a hard path. 

Vs. 16 “Every prudent man acts with knowledge, 

But a fool lays open his folly.” 

The prudent man knows how to conduct himself in the presence of God and man, and so he acts with knowledge in whatever situations he finds himself in. While the fool only lays open his folly before everyone. 

Vs. 17 “A wicked messenger falls into trouble, 

But a faithful ambassador brings health.” 

A wicked messenger lacks the tact and concern to know how to bring a message to those to whom they are sent, and so they only create more strife and problems. However a faithful ambassador will represent you and your words wisely, and so they bring health to all concerned. 

Vs. 18 “Poverty and shame will come to him who disdains correction, 

But he who regards a rebuke will be honored.” 

Those who refuse to be corrected, who will not listen when rebuked, who disdain being told they are wrong, will only bring poverty and shame to themselves. However those who heed a rebuke, who take it to heart and apply it to their circumstances, person, and life will be honored, because positive change always brings a positive reward. 

Vs. 19 “A desire accomplished is sweet to the soul, 

But it is an abomination to fools to depart from evil.” 

When righteous men achieve their Godly desires and goals it’s like a refreshing to their souls. In contrast it is an abomination for fools to depart from evil, to forsake their sins and evil ways and live righteously before God. 

Vs. 20 “He who walks with wise men will be wise, 

But the companion of fools will be destroyed.” 

Once again, we are admonished to be careful about whom we keep company with (see Prov. 12:26; also consider 1 Cor. 15:33). And so those who walk with wise men will be wise, for they will be positively directed and influenced by their wise words and conduct to also do and achieve greater and better things. However, the one who befriends fools, i.e., godless people whose lives are only full of sin and folly and vile speech will be destroyed, for they are only following those on a dead-end path that ends in destruction. 

Vs. 21 “Evil pursues sinners, 

But to the righteous, good shall be repaid.” 

When one lives a sinful life, they can be assured that it will be filled with evil, with all kinds of troubles, tragedies, and sorrows, for their lifestyle opens the door to it, and the consequences of their sins assures it. On the other hand, those who live righteously will be repaid with good. The quality of their lives then is always more blessed and secure and peaceful. 

Vs. 22 “A good man leaves an inheritance to his children’s children, 

But the wealth of the sinner is stored up for the righteous.” 

Righteous people not only leave an inheritance for their children, but if they can, for their grandchildren as well. Now even though the sinner may store up wealth for themselves in the end it will find its way into righteous hands. 

Vs. 23 “Much food is in the fallow ground of the poor, 

And for lack of justice there is waste.” 

Untilled land will not bring forth a harvest, therefore the poor who does work what little land he has will find much food. However, because there is a lack of justice in this life, what he does bring forth may also go to waste, because he is not compensated fairly for it. 

Vs. 24 “He who spares his rod hates his son, 

But he who loves him disciplines him promptly.” 

Corporal punishment is a sound form of loving discipline for one’s child, to bring about a positive change. But should never be done in anger or used to vent one’s frustrations on them. Therefore, to withhold it when it is necessary to effect a change in their behavior is only to hate one’s child, because you then only open the door to greater rebellion and greater defiance coming from them towards you and towards all. Therefore, if you love your child discipline them promptly when they knowingly miss behave or openly defy you because by doing so you will drive rebellion and folly far from them (consider Pr. 22:15). Again, if you don’t, and then by default you leave it to others, you will likely be later dealing with irate parents and neighbors, school teachers and principals, and as they “grow” into teenagers and adulthood, the police, the courts, lawyers and judges, correction officers and institutions, probation and parole officers etc. (and all of the “fun” and fallout that goes with all of that, of raising an undisciplined child). Just a whole lot of trouble that can be avoided by you if you deal with it when they are young, and not leave it to society to deal with after those mischievous and malfeasant behavior patterns have been well formed in them. 

Vs. 25 “The righteous eats to the satisfying of his soul, 

But the stomach of the wicked shall be in want.” 

God always provides for the righteous, just as surely as He withholds His blessings from the wicked. That said, the wicked by their own lifestyle choices often lead themselves into their own poverty and degradation.

Scripture Quotations 

New King James (1982):Thomas Nelson. 

Proverbs 12:1-28

¹ Whoever loves instruction loves knowledge, But he who hates correction is stupid. ² A good man obtains favor from the Lord, But a man of wicked intentions He will condemn. ³ A man is not established by wickedness, But the root of the righteous cannot be moved. ⁴ An excellent wife is the crown of her husband, But she who causes shame is like rottenness in his bones. ⁵ The thoughts of the righteous are right, But the counsels of the wicked are deceitful. ⁶ The words of the wicked are, “Lie in wait for blood,” But the mouth of the upright will deliver them. ⁷ The wicked are overthrown and are no more, But the house of the righteous will stand. ⁸ A man will be commended according to his wisdom, But he who is of a perverse heart will be despised. ⁹ Better is the one who is slighted but has a servant, Than he who honors himself but lacks bread. ¹⁰ A righteous man regards the life of his animal, But the tender mercies of the wicked are cruel. ¹¹ He who tills his land will be satisfied with bread, But he who follows frivolity is devoid of understanding. ¹² The wicked covet the catch of evil men, But the root of the righteous yields fruit. ¹³ The wicked is ensnared by the transgression of his lips, But the righteous will come through trouble. ¹⁴ A man will be satisfied with good by the fruit of his mouth, And the recompense of a man’s hands will be rendered to him. ¹⁵ The way of a fool is right in his own eyes, But he who heeds counsel is wise. ¹⁶ A fool’s wrath is known at once, But a prudent man covers shame. ¹⁷ He who speaks truth declares righteousness, But a false witness, deceit. ¹⁸ There is one who speaks like the piercings of a sword, But the tongue of the wise promotes health. ¹⁹ The truthful lip shall be established forever, But a lying tongue is but for a moment. ²⁰ Deceit is in the heart of those who devise evil, But counselors of peace have joy. ²¹ No grave trouble will overtake the righteous, But the wicked shall be filled with evil. ²² Lying lips are an abomination to the Lord, But those who deal truthfully are His delight. ²³ A prudent man conceals knowledge, But the heart of fools proclaims foolishness. ²⁴ The hand of the diligent will rule, But the lazy man will be put to forced labor. ²⁵ Anxiety in the heart of man causes depression, But a good word makes it glad. ²⁶ The righteous should choose his friends carefully, For the way of the wicked leads them astray. ²⁷ The lazy man does not roast what he took in hunting, But diligence is man’s precious possession. ²⁸ In the way of righteousness is life, And in its pathway there is no death.

Commentary 

Vs. 1 “Whoever loves instruction loves knowledge, 

But he who hates correction is stupid.” 

To love to be instructed is to have a love for one’s own growth and wellbeing. Indeed, one can only gain knowledge by first listening too and then willingly receiving instruction. For this is the foundation of having faith in God’s Word. Conversely the one who hates to be corrected, to be told that they are wrong, is only stupid. 

Vs. 2 “A good man obtains favor from the Lord, 

But a man of wicked intentions He will condemn.” 

Truly God shows favor to all who do good, even if they do not yet know Him, because God loves all who do so, and they show by their doing so that they have His law written in their hearts. Conversely the man of wicked intentions, who outwardly only pretends to be righteous and just, but inwardly is only scheming and plotting wicked things, He will condemn. 

Vs. 3 “A man is not established by wickedness, 

But the root of the righteous cannot be moved.” 

No one is established by wickedness, for though they may "prosper" for a season they will always end up on the receiving end of the wrath of God. Conversely the root of the righteousness runs deep, and so their person is well watered, nurtured, and even anchored by God Himself in whatever they do (consider Psalm 1). 

V. 4 “An excellent wife is the crown of her husband, 

But she who causes shame is like rottenness in his bones.”

A man’s wife can be either like a crown on his head, giving him favor with all, or if she conducts herself shamelessly, she will only be like rottenness in his bones, eating away at his person and life.

Vs. 5 “The thoughts of the righteous are right, 

But the counsels of the wicked are deceitful.” 

The righteous person thoughts are right because they think about doing what is just, fair, and right in whatever circumstances they find themselves in, while the wicked person is only thinking about how to use or manipulate people, or circumstances, or events to their own advantage, and so their counsels are always deceitful.

Vs. 6 “The words of the wicked are, “Lie in wait for blood,” 

But the mouth of the upright will deliver them.”

The wicked counsel’s revenge and violence against others, however by doing so they only lead themselves and others to their own fall and ruin. In contrast the mouth of the upright by speaking the truth in love delivers themselves and others. 

Vs. 7 “The wicked are overthrown and are no more, 

But the house of the righteous will stand.” 

God’s Justice and Judgment will always find the wicked, and then they are no more. However the house of the righteous will stand, and not only through the storms of this life, but also in the presence of God in the end.

Vs. 8 “A man will be commended according to his wisdom, 

But he who is of a perverse heart will be despised.” 

People look too and admire a person who has wisdom, who is principled, who conducts themselves wisely, (think Billy Graham). However, they have nothing but contempt for a crooked, perverse, or vile person. 

Vs. 9 “Better is the one who is slighted but has a servant, 

Than he who honors himself but lacks bread.” 

It is better to live truthfully, and within ones means, though one has a “low status” in this life, then to pretend to be affluent and influential, and only lack bread. 

Vs. 10 “A righteous man regards the life of his animal, 

But the tender mercies of the wicked are cruel.” 

Righteous people are not only kind towards others; but they also show the same sort of empathy towards their animals, and in this case, these were not their pets, but working farm animals. In striking contrast is the wicked whose “tender mercies” are only cruel for they know nothing of love for others or kindness or mercy. Indeed, they think it to be righteous when they are fierce, mean, and cruel! Do not then expect any sympathy or compassion or understanding from them. 

Vs. 11 “He who tills his land will be satisfied with bread, 

But he who follows frivolity is devoid of understanding.” 

A person who invests their time and energies working at things which will provide for all their needs will not suffer any lack or want. While a person who only spends their time doing and pursuing frivolous things, which may seem like fun to them, especially when they are young, is only devoid of understanding. Better than to go to school and college if you can then to sit around at your parents’ home playing video games, or just hanging out with your friends accomplishing nothing, because one day you will be on your own.  

Vs. 12 “The wicked covet the catch of evil men, 

But the root of the righteous yields fruit.” 

Here we are given more insights into the heart of the wicked that they only covet the catch of evil men; that is, they covet what was stolen, or taken by force or coercion, or acquired unjustly. And thus, theirs is not to work honestly to get ahead, but only to seek out evil ways and means and schemes to try to prosper themselves. In contrast the righteous persons heart and mind is not preoccupied with such evil endeavors, therefore their root bears fruit through the good ground of living uprightly and doing justly towards all.  

Vs. 13 “The wicked is ensnared by the transgression of his lips, 

But the righteous will come through trouble.” 

The sins from the wicked persons mouth always leads them into their own troubles, especially their lies and deceptive speech which only undermines and entraps them in the end. However, the righteous by their honest words and just conduct will come through trouble. 

Vs. 14 “A man will be satisfied with good by the fruit of his mouth, 

And the recompense of a man’s hands will be rendered to him. 

Good and gracious speech is always rewarded, just as good and Godly behavior is. 

Vs. 15 “The way of a fool is right in his own eyes, 

But he who heeds counsel is wise.” 

The fool in his arrogance and pride thinks himself and his doings wise, while it is the one who actually heeds counsel that is. 

Vs. 16 “A fool’s wrath is known at once, 

But a prudent man covers shame.” 

The fool goes from zero to ten when told of a failing or transgression, however the prudent person knows how to deal with sensitive matters.  

Vs. 17 “He who speaks truth declares righteousness, 

But a false witness, deceit.” 

The person who speaks the truth declares righteousness, that is they give a true testimony, while a false witnesses’ words are only deceit. 

Vs. 18 “There is one who speaks like the piercings of a sword, 

But the tongue of the wise promotes health.” 

Harsh words do not promote repentance and faith, indeed speech that only cuts people down is always contrary to God (consider Matt. 5:22). Therefore, the wise choose words that build people up, or when necessary tactfully brings them to repentance and change. 

Vs. 19 “The truthful lip shall be established forever, 

But a lying tongue is but for a moment.” 

God is the God of Truth, therefore those who speak the truth shall have their words established forever. While those who speak lies have their words last but a moment. 

Vs. 20 “Deceit is in the heart of those who devise evil, 

But counselors of peace have joy.” 

People who plot evil bring forth deception, deceiving themselves and others, and so their hearts are full of deceit, full of treachery, and so their lives are also full of conflict. While counselors of peace, that is people who speak peace and seek peace with others have joy, because they are walking in step with God (consider Psalm 34:14-15; Matt. 5:9; Rom. 12:18, 14:19; Heb. 12:14 etc,). 

Vs. 21 “No grave trouble will overtake the righteous, 

But the wicked shall be filled with evil.” 

God watches over the righteous, He always keeps them from grave trouble, and so whatever troubles come their way are always temporary (just ask Job). In contrast the wicked persons life is filled with evil, it follows them wherever they go. 

Vs. 22 “Lying lips are an abomination to the Lord, 

But those who deal truthfully are His delight.” 

The Lord hates lying lips, hates it when people tell lies or use deceptive or misleading speech, for all such things are an abomination to Him, therefore those who deal truthfully are always His delight! 

Vs. 23 “A prudent man conceals knowledge, 

But the heart of fools proclaims foolishness.” 

There are certain things that should not be revealed, and a prudent man knows when to conceal knowledge. While the fool knows no such wisdom, instead he only openly proclaims all his foolishness. 

Vs. 24 “The hand of the diligent will rule, 

But the lazy man will be put to forced labor.” 

There are principals that govern life and one of them is that diligence gives people favor in the eyes of others, for a hard worker is always esteemed much more by his employer than a lazy one is, and thus they will find themselves being promoted more often than not. Similarly, the lazy person who refuses to labor, having no good grounds for not doing so, will be put to forced labor, whether by others, or by his own circumstances of life. 

Vs. 25 “Anxiety in the heart of man causes depression, 

But a good word makes it glad.” 

Excessive worrying does not lead to solving or resolving anything, it only leads to depression, as the worrier compounds their anxiety and fears, and thus their feeling of helplessness, by not addressing them. That said an encouraging word can do wonders to lift someone up. Speech than that does that is much more beneficial than merrily criticizing someone. 

Vs. 26 “The righteous should choose his friends carefully, 

For the way of the wicked leads them astray.” 

This wise principal applies throughout our lives, because whom we associate with is whom we often become. And thus, hang out with wicked people and a wicked person you will become as they and their lifestyles will erode your Godly beliefs and values. 

Vs. 27 “The lazy man does not roast what he took in hunting, 

But diligence is man’s precious possession.” 

Because the lazy man does not roast what he took in hunting it quickly spoils as maggots will start to form in meat in about 48 hours. As well there are dangerous bacteria’s that will start to soon form within making it go rancid if it is not persevered in some way before it becomes uneatable. So too is life also full of things that require our immediate attention, otherwise they too will spoil and or be rendered useless. Therefore, diligence is man’s precious possession for by it he preserves and keeps what he needs and values most. 

Vs. 28 “In the way of righteousness is life, 

And in its pathway there is no death.” 

Everlasting truths are everlasting, and one of them is that in the pathway of righteousness there is no death, for death reigns only where sin is (Rom. 6:23). Which is why the the Lord Jesus Christ warns us all to: ¹³ “Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it. ¹⁴ Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it. ^{Matt. 7:13-14} Therefore, choose the pathway of righteousness, where the Lord Jesus Christ is and Reigns, because all who do so, who believe in Him and obey Him will escape all the snares and traps of sin and death! 

Scripture Quotations 

New King James (1982):Thomas Nelson.