Proverbs 13 - Living Bible (TLB)

13 A wise youth accepts his father’s rebuke; a young mocker doesn’t.

2 The good man wins his case by careful argument; the evil-minded only wants to fight.

3 Self-control means controlling the tongue! A quick retort can ruin everything.

4 Lazy people want much but get little, while the diligent are prospering.

5 A good man hates lies; wicked men lie constantly[a] and come to shame.

6 A man’s goodness helps him all through life, while evil men are being destroyed by their wickedness.

7 Some rich people are poor, and some poor people have great wealth!

8 Being kidnapped and held for ransom never worries the poor man!

9 The good man’s life is full of light. The sinner’s road is dark and gloomy.

10 Pride leads to arguments; be humble, take advice, and become wise.

11 Wealth from gambling quickly disappears; wealth from hard work grows.

12 Hope deferred makes the heart sick; but when dreams come true at last, there is life and joy.[b]

13 Despise God’s Word and find yourself in trouble. Obey it and succeed.

14 The advice of a wise man refreshes like water from a mountain spring. Those accepting it become aware of the pitfalls on ahead.

15 A man with good sense is appreciated. A treacherous man must walk a rocky road.

16 A wise man thinks ahead; a fool doesn’t and even brags about it!

17 An unreliable messenger can cause a lot of trouble. Reliable communication permits progress.

18 If you refuse criticism, you will end in poverty and disgrace; if you accept criticism, you are on the road to fame.

19 It is pleasant to see plans develop. That is why fools refuse to give them up even when they are wrong.

20 Be with wise men and become wise. Be with evil men and become evil.

21 Curses chase sinners, while blessings chase the righteous!

22 When a good man dies, he leaves an inheritance to his grandchildren; but when a sinner dies, his wealth is stored up for the godly.

23 A poor man’s farm may have good soil, but injustice robs him of its riches.

24 If you refuse to discipline your son, it proves you don’t love him; for if you love him, you will be prompt to punish him.

25 The good man eats to live, while the evil man lives to eat.[c]

Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 13:5 wicked men lie constantly, implied.
  2. Proverbs 13:12 but when dreams come true at last, there is life and joy, literally, “it is a tree of life.”
  3. Proverbs 13:25 while the evil man lives to eat, literally, “but the wicked never get enough.”

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Proverbs 13 - Young's Literal Translation (YLT)

13 A wise son -- the instruction of a father, And a scorner -- he hath not heard rebuke. 2 From the fruit of the mouth a man eateth good, And the soul of the treacherous -- violence. 3 Whoso is keeping his mouth, is keeping his soul, Whoso is opening wide his lips -- ruin to him! 4 The soul of the s...
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Proverbs 13 - Wycliffe Bible (WYC)

13 A wise son is the teaching of the father; but he that is a scorner, heareth not, when he is reproved. (A wise son listeneth to his father’s teaching; but he who is a mocker, heareth not, when he is rebuked.) 2 A man shall be filled with goods of the fruit of his mouth; but the soul of unpious men...
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Proverbs 13 - World English Bible (WEB)

13 A wise son listens to his father’s instruction, but a scoffer doesn’t listen to rebuke.2 By the fruit of his lips, a man enjoys good things, but the unfaithful crave violence.3 He who guards his mouth guards his soul. One who opens wide his lips comes to ruin.4 The soul of the sluggard desires, a...
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Proverbs 13 - The Voice (VOICE)

13 A wise child is attentive to his parents’ instruction, but the mocker is deaf to correction.2 A person eats well when he speaks wisely, but the treacherous crave violence.3 Those who guard their speech insure they will take another breath, but those who talk without thinking guarantee their demis...
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Proverbs 13 - Tree of Life Version (TLV)

Guard the Way of Integrity13 A wise son heeds his father’s discipline,but a scoffer does not listen to rebuke. 2 From the fruit of a man’s mouth he enjoys good things,but the treacherous crave violence. 3 He who watches his mouth protects his life,but whoever opens wide his lips comes to ruin. 4 The...
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Proverbs 13 - Revised Standard Version Catholic Edition (RSVCE)

13 A wise son hears his father’s instruction, but a scoffer does not listen to rebuke.2 From the fruit of his mouth a good man eats good, but the desire of the treacherous is for violence.3 He who guards his mouth preserves his life; he who opens wide his lips comes to ruin.4 The soul of the sluggar...
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Proverbs 13 - Revised Standard Version (RSV)

13 A wise son hears his father’s instruction, but a scoffer does not listen to rebuke.2 From the fruit of his mouth a good man eats good, but the desire of the treacherous is for violence.3 He who guards his mouth preserves his life; he who opens wide his lips comes to ruin.4 The soul of the sluggar...
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Proverbs 13 - New Revised Standard Version, Anglicised (NRSVA)

13 A wise child loves discipline,[a] but a scoffer does not listen to rebuke.2 From the fruit of their words good people eat good things, but the desire of the treacherous is for wrongdoing.3 Those who guard their mouths preserve their lives; those who open wide their lips come to ruin.4 The appetit...
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Proverbs 13 - New Revised Standard Version (NRSV)

13 A wise child loves discipline,[a] but a scoffer does not listen to rebuke.(A)2 From the fruit of their words good persons eat good things, but the desire of the treacherous is for wrongdoing.3 Those who guard their mouths preserve their lives; those who open wide their lips come to ruin.(B)4 The ...
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Proverbs 13 - New Living Translation (NLT)

13 A wise child accepts a parent’s discipline;[a] a mocker refuses to listen to correction. 2 Wise words will win you a good meal, but treacherous people have an appetite for violence. 3 Those who control their tongue will have a long life; opening your mouth can ruin everything. 4 Lazy people want ...
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Proverbs 13 - New Life Version (NLV)

13 A wise son listens when his father tells him the right way, but one who laughs at the truth does not listen when strong words are spoken to him. 2 The one who is careful what he says will have good come to him, but the one who wants to hurt others will have trouble. 3 He who watches over his mout...
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Proverbs 13 - New King James Version (NKJV)

Wisdom Loves Righteousness13 A wise son heeds his father’s instruction,(A)But a scoffer does not listen to rebuke. 2 (B)A man shall eat well by the fruit of his mouth,But the soul of the unfaithful feeds on violence.3 (C)He who guards his mouth preserves his life,But he who opens wide his lips shall...
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Proverbs 13 - New International Version - UK (NIVUK)

13 A wise son heeds his father’s instruction, but a mocker does not respond to rebukes. 2 From the fruit of their lips people enjoy good things, but the unfaithful have an appetite for violence. 3 Those who guard their lips preserve their lives, but those who speak rashly will come to ruin. 4 A slug...
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Proverbs 13 - New International Version (NIV)

13 A wise son heeds his father’s instruction, but a mocker does not respond to rebukes.(A) 2 From the fruit of their lips people enjoy good things,(B) but the unfaithful have an appetite for violence. 3 Those who guard their lips(C) preserve their lives,(D) but those who speak rashly will come to ru...
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Proverbs 13 - New International Reader's Version (NIRV)

13 A wise son pays attention to what his father teaches him. But anyone who makes fun of others doesn’t listen to warnings. 2 The good things people say benefit them. But liars love to hurt others. 3 Those who guard what they say guard their lives. But those who speak without thinking will be destro...
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Proverbs 13 - New English Translation (NET)

13 A wise son accepts his father’s discipline,[a]but a scoffer[b] has never listened to[c] rebuke.2 From the fruit of his speech[d] a person eats good things,[e]but the treacherous[f] desire[g] the fruit of violence.[h]3 The one who guards his words[i] guards his life;whoever is talkative[j] will co...
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