Proverbs Chapter 13
1 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, and has nothing, but the desire of the diligent shall be fully satisfied.
5 A righteous man hates lies, but a wicked man brings shame and disgrace.
6 Righteousness guards the way of integrity, 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.
8 The ransom of a man's life is his riches, but the poor hear no threats.
9 The light of the righteous shines brightly, but the lamp of the wicked is snuffed out.
10 Pride only breeds quarrels, but wisdom is with people who take advice.
11 Wealth gained dishonestly dwindles away, 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.
13 Whoever despises instruction will pay for it, 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.
15 Good understanding wins favour, but the way of the unfaithful is hard.
16 Every prudent man acts from knowledge, but a fool exposes folly.
17 A wicked messenger falls into trouble, but a trustworthy envoy gains healing.
18 Poverty and shame come to him who refuses discipline, but he who heeds correction shall be honoured.
19 Longing fulfilled is sweet to the soul, but fools detest turning from evil.
20 One who walks with wise men grows wise, but a companion of fools suffers harm.
21 Misfortune pursues sinners, 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.
23 An abundance of food is in poor people's fields, but injustice sweeps it away.
24 One who spares the rod hates his son, 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.
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Proverbs Chapter 13 Guide
Verse Proverbs 13:2. Compare this with Proverbs 12:14. As the words of a good man benefit himself as well as others, so the evil deeds of transgressors react upon themselves.
Verse Proverbs 13:5. The contrast here between the wicked and the righteous is intense, in that concerning the righteous man the proverb simply states he hateth lying; concerning the wicked it declares that he becomes loathsome. That is to say, a righteous man keeping himself separate from wickedness hates lying. An evil man giving himself over to lying or other forms of sin becomes hated by others.
Verse Proverbs 13:8. That is to say that if wealth has its advantages, so also has poverty. The rich man by his wealth may be able to conserve his life, but the poor man escapes the very dangers into which the rich are brought.
Verse Proverbs 13:14. In this proverb the words "depart from the snares of death" interpret the action of such as obey the law. Thus by obedience to law a man departs from the snares of death, and so law becomes a fountain of life.
Verse Proverbs 13:19. The reason that desire is not accomplished is declared in the second part of this proverb. Men will not pay the price of departing from evil, and so fail of the sweetness of fulfilled desire.
Verse Proverbs 13:23. This is the declaration of an abiding truth that there is sustenance in the land, but men are excluded from it by injustice.
From "An Exposition of the Whole Bible" by G. Campbell Morgan.
Proverbs Chapter 13 Commentary
Verse 1
There is great hope of those that reverence their parents. There is little hope of any who will not hear those that deal faithfully with them.
Verse 2
By our words we must be justified or condemned, Mt 12:37.
Verse 3
He that thinks before he speaks, that suppresses evil if he have thought it, keeps his soul from a great deal both of guilt and grief. Many a one is ruined by an ungoverned tongue.
Verse 4
The slothful desire the gains the diligent get, but hate the pains the diligent take; therefore they have nothing. This is especially true as to the soul.
Verse 5
Where sin reigns, the man is loathsome. If his conscience were awake, he would abhor himself, and repent in dust and ashes.
Verse 6
An honest desire to do right, preserves a man from fatal mistakes, better than a thousand fine-drawn distinctions.
Verse 7
Some who are really poor, trade and spend as if they were rich: this is sin, and will be shame, and it will end accordingly. Some that are really rich, would be thought to be poor: in this there is want of gratitude to God, want of justice and charity to others. There are many hypocrites, empty of grace, who will not be convinced of their poverty. There are many fearing Christians, who are spiritually rich, yet think themselves poor; by their doubts, and complaints, and griefs, they make themselves poor.
Verse 8
Great riches often tempt to violence against those that possess them; but the poor are free from such perils.
Verse 9
The light of the righteous is as that of the sun, which may be eclipsed and clouded, but will continue: the Spirit is their Light, he gives a fulness of joy: that of the wicked is as a lamp of their own kindling, easily put out.
Verse 10
All contentions, whether between private persons, families, churches, or nations, are begun and carried forward by pride. Disputes would be easily prevented or ended, if it were not for pride.
Verse 11
Wealth gotten by dishonesty or vice, has a secret curse, which will speedily waste it.
Verse 12
The delay of what is anxiously hoped for, is very painful to the mind; obtaining it is very pleasant. But spiritual blessings are chiefly intended.
Verse 13
He that stands in awe of God, and reverences his word, shall escape destruction, and be rewarded for his godly fear.
Verse 14
The rule by which the wise regulate their conduct, is a fountain yielding life and happiness.
Verse 15
The way of sinners is hard upon others, and hard to the sinner himself. The service of sin is slavery; the road to hell is strewed with the thorns and thistles that followed the curse.
Verse 16
It is folly to talk of things of which we know nothing, and to undertake what we are no way fit for.
Verse 17
Those that are wicked, and false to Christ and to the souls of men, do mischief, and fall into mischief; but those that are faithful, find sound words healing to others and to themselves.
Verse 18
He that scorns to be taught, will certainly be brought down.
Verse 19
There are in man strong desires after happiness; but never let those expect any thing truly sweet to their souls, who will not be persuaded to leave their sins.
Verse 20
Multitudes are brought to ruin by bad company. And all that make themselves wicked will be destroyed.
Verse 21
When God pursues sinners he is sure to overtake them; and he will reward the righteous.
Verse 22
The servant of God who is not anxious about riches, takes the best method of providing for his children.
Verse 23
The poor, yet industrious, thrive, though in a homely manner, while those who have great riches are often brought to poverty for want of judgment.
Verse 24
He acts as if he hated his child, who, by false indulgence, permits sinful habits to gather strength, which will bring sorrow here, and misery hereafter.
Verse 25
It is the misery of the wicked, that even their sensual appetites are always craving. The righteous feeds on the word and ordinances, to the satisfying of his soul with the promises of the gospel, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who is the Bread of life.
From the "Concise Commentary on the Bible" by Matthew Henry.