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13:1  A wise son heeds and accepts [and is the result of] his father’s discipline and instruction, But a scoffer does not listen to reprimand and does not learn from his errors.
13:2  From the fruit of his mouth a [wise] man enjoys good, But the desire of the treacherous is for violence.
13:3  The one who guards his mouth [thinking before he speaks] protects his life; The one who opens his lips wide [and chatters without thinking] comes to ruin.
13:4  The soul (appetite) of the lazy person craves and gets nothing [for lethargy overcomes ambition], But the soul (appetite) of the diligent [who works willingly] is rich and abundantly supplied.
13:5  A righteous man hates lies, But a wicked man is loathsome, and he acts shamefully.
13:6  Righteousness (being in right standing with God) guards the one whose way is blameless, But wickedness undermines and overthrows the sinner.
13:7  There is one who pretends to be rich, yet has nothing at all; Another pretends to be poor, yet has great wealth.
13:8  The ransom for a man’s life is his wealth, But the poor man does not even have to listen to a rebuke or threats [from the envious].
13:9  The light of the righteous [within him—grows brighter and] rejoices, But the lamp of the wicked [is a temporary light and] goes out.
13:10  Through pride and presumption come nothing but strife, But [skillful and godly] wisdom is with those who welcome [well-advised] counsel.
13:11  Wealth obtained by fraud dwindles, But he who gathers gradually by [honest] labor will increase [his riches].
13:12  Hope deferred makes the heart sick, But when desire is fulfilled, it is a tree of life.
13:13  Whoever despises the word and counsel [of God] brings destruction upon himself, But he who [reverently] fears and respects the commandment [of God] will be rewarded.
13:14  The teaching of the wise is a fountain and source of life, So that one may avoid the snares of death.
13:15  Good understanding wins favor [from others], But the way of the unfaithful is hard [like barren, dry soil].
13:16  Every prudent and self-disciplined man acts with knowledge, But a [closed-minded] fool [who refuses to learn] displays his foolishness [for all to see].
13:17  A wicked messenger falls into hardship, But a faithful ambassador brings healing.
13:18  Poverty and shame will come to him who refuses instruction and discipline, But he who accepts and learns from reproof or censure is honored.
13:19  Desire realized is sweet to the soul; But it is detestable to fools to turn away from evil [which they have planned].
13:20  He who walks [as a companion] with wise men will be wise, But the companions of [conceited, dull-witted] fools [are fools themselves and] will experience harm.
13:21  Adversity pursues sinners, But the [consistently] upright will be rewarded with prosperity.
13:22  A good man leaves an inheritance to his children’s children, And the wealth of the sinner is stored up for [the hands of] the righteous.
13:23  Abundant food is in the fallow (uncultivated) ground of the poor, But [without protection] it is swept away by injustice.
13:24  He who withholds the rod [of discipline] hates his son, But he who loves him disciplines and trains him diligently and appropriately [with wisdom and love].
13:25  The [consistently] righteous has enough to satisfy his appetite, But the stomach of the wicked is in need [of bread].