Old Testament · Wisdom

Proverbs 13

The Fruit of Discipline

The one who walks with the wise becomes wise. Wealth gained hastily dwindles. Practical truths that compound over a lifetime.

King James Version BSB KJV

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1A wise son heareth his father’s instruction: but a scorner heareth not rebuke.

2A man shall eat good by the fruit of his mouth: but the soul of the transgressors shall eat violence.

3He that keepeth his mouth keepeth his life: but he that openeth wide his lips shall have destruction.

4The soul of the sluggard desireth, and hath nothing: but the soul of the diligent shall be made fat.

5A righteous man hateth lying: but a wicked man is loathsome, and cometh to shame.

6Righteousness keepeth him that is upright in the way: but wickedness overthroweth the sinner.

7There is that maketh himself rich, yet hath nothing: there is that maketh himself poor, yet hath great riches.

8The ransom of a man’s life are his riches: but the poor heareth not rebuke.

9The light of the righteous rejoiceth: but the lamp of the wicked shall be put out.

10Only by pride cometh contention: but with the well advised is wisdom.

11Wealth gotten by vanity shall be diminished: but he that gathereth by labour shall increase.

12Hope deferred maketh the heart sick: but when the desire cometh, it is a tree of life.

13Whoso despiseth the word shall be destroyed: but he that feareth the commandment shall be rewarded.

14The law of the wise is a fountain of life, to depart from the snares of death.

15Good understanding giveth favour: but the way of transgressors is hard.

16Every prudent man dealeth with knowledge: but a fool layeth open his folly.

17A wicked messenger falleth into mischief: but a faithful ambassador is health.

18Poverty and shame shall be to him that refuseth instruction: but he that regardeth reproof shall be honoured.

19The desire accomplished is sweet to the soul: but it is abomination to fools to depart from evil.

20He that walketh with wise men shall be wise: but a companion of fools shall be destroyed.

21Evil pursueth sinners: but to the righteous good shall be repayed.

22A good man leaveth an inheritance to his children’s children: and the wealth of the sinner is laid up for the just.

23Much food is in the tillage of the poor: but there is that is destroyed for want of judgment.

24He that spareth his rod hateth his son: but he that loveth him chasteneth him betimes.

25The righteous eateth to the satisfying of his soul: but the belly of the wicked shall want.

Understand This

Proverbs 13, explained

What Proverbs 13 is saying

The proverbs address the relationship between desire and fulfillment, the protective power of guarded speech, and the contrast between apparent and real wealth. 'Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but a desire fulfilled is a tree of life' captures the chapter's emotional realism.

The background behind it

The 'tree of life' imagery connects Proverbs to Genesis and Revelation, placing wisdom within the grand biblical narrative of paradise lost and restored. The sayings about wealth appearances versus reality reflect court life where status display was constant.

Themes running underneath

Wisdom includes emotional intelligence—acknowledging that unfulfilled longing causes genuine suffering. The chapter also develops the intergenerational theme: a good person leaves an inheritance to grandchildren, while the sinner's wealth is stored up for the righteous.

Why it still matters

The honesty about 'hope deferred' validates the pain of waiting. Wisdom doesn't demand stoic detachment but acknowledges that desire and delay are genuinely costly, even while trusting God's timing.

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Scripture text: King James Version — public domain.