What does the chapter actually say?
Identify the explicit claims before importing later doctrine or assumptions.
PROVERBS • CHAPTER 13
Proverbs 13
Practical wisdom, speech, work, money, sexuality, family, justice, self-control, leadership, and fear of Yahweh.
READ THE CHAPTER
Proverbs 13
WORLD ENGLISH BIBLE
The complete biblical text below is stored on this website.
You do not need to leave The Bible for Smart People to read it.
1
A wise son listens to his father’s instruction,
but a scoffer doesn’t listen to rebuke.
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.
but the unfaithful crave violence.
3
He who guards his mouth guards his soul.
One who opens wide his lips comes to ruin.
One who opens wide his lips comes to ruin.
4
The soul of the sluggard desires, and has nothing,
but the desire of the diligent shall be fully satisfied.
but the desire of the diligent shall be fully satisfied.
5
A righteous man hates lies,
but a wicked man brings shame and disgrace.
but a wicked man brings shame and disgrace.
6
Righteousness guards the way of integrity,
but wickedness overthrows the sinner.
but wickedness overthrows the sinner.
7
There are some who pretend to be rich, yet have nothing.
There are some who pretend to be poor, yet have great wealth.
There are some who pretend to be poor, yet have great wealth.
8
The ransom of a man’s life is his riches,
but the poor hear no threats.
but the poor hear no threats.
9
The light of the righteous shines brightly,
but the lamp of the wicked is snuffed out.
but the lamp of the wicked is snuffed out.
10
Pride only breeds quarrels,
but wisdom is with people who take advice.
but wisdom is with people who take advice.
11
Wealth gained dishonestly dwindles away,
but he who gathers by hand makes it grow.
but he who gathers by hand makes it grow.
12
Hope deferred makes the heart sick,
but when longing is fulfilled, it is a tree of life.
but when longing is fulfilled, it is a tree of life.
13
Whoever despises instruction will pay for it,
but he who respects a command will be rewarded.
but he who respects a command will be rewarded.
14
The teaching of the wise is a spring of life,
to turn from the snares of death.
to turn from the snares of death.
15
Good understanding wins favor,
but the way of the unfaithful is hard.
but the way of the unfaithful is hard.
16
Every prudent man acts from knowledge,
but a fool exposes folly.
but a fool exposes folly.
17
A wicked messenger falls into trouble,
but a trustworthy envoy gains healing.
but a trustworthy envoy gains healing.
18
Poverty and shame come to him who refuses discipline,
but he who heeds correction shall be honored.
but he who heeds correction shall be honored.
19
Longing fulfilled is sweet to the soul,
but fools detest turning from evil.
but fools detest turning from evil.
20
One who walks with wise men grows wise,
but a companion of fools suffers harm.
but a companion of fools suffers harm.
21
Misfortune pursues sinners,
but prosperity rewards the righteous.
but prosperity rewards the righteous.
22
A good man leaves an inheritance to his children’s children,
but the wealth of the sinner is stored for the righteous.
but the wealth of the sinner is stored for the righteous.
23
An abundance of food is in poor people’s fields,
but injustice sweeps it away.
but injustice sweeps it away.
24
One who spares the rod hates his son,
but one who loves him is careful to discipline him.
but one who loves him is careful to discipline him.
25
The righteous one eats to the satisfying of his soul,
but the belly of the wicked goes hungry.
but the belly of the wicked goes hungry.
WISDOM
Where this chapter fits
Proverbs belongs to Israel's wisdom/poetic tradition, where literary form matters as much as historical setting.
Chapter numbers were added long after the biblical books were written.
Read this chapter together with what comes immediately before and after it.
ANCIENT TEXT, MODERN QUESTIONS
Historical claims should be compared with historical evidence.
Scientific claims should be compared with science.
Moral claims should be examined morally.
Theological claims require theological and philosophical argument.
QUESTIONS WORTH ASKING
Don't skip the hard parts.
What kind of literature is this?
Narrative, poetry, prophecy, law, letters, wisdom, and apocalypse communicate differently.
What historical evidence matters?
Ask whether names, places, institutions, events, customs, and chronology can be independently investigated.
What are the strongest competing interpretations?
Compare serious Jewish, Christian, academic, and skeptical readings rather than caricatures.
CONTINUE THE INVESTIGATION
You've reached the member analysis.
You can keep reading every Bible chapter on this site for free.
Membership unlocks the deeper analysis, historical context, competing interpretations, perspectives, and conclusion.
WANT TO KEEP READING FOR FREE?
Continue to Proverbs 14
The complete biblical text of the next chapter is free to read.
You only need membership when you want the deeper analysis and side-by-side investigation.
READ NEXT CHAPTER FREEUNLOCK THE ANALYSIS
Already a member?
Sign in to continue →