Proverbs 13:16-25

16 1In everything the prudent acts with knowledge, 2but a fool flaunts his folly.
17 A wicked messenger falls into trouble, but 3a faithful envoy brings healing.
18 Poverty and disgrace come to him who 4ignores instruction, 5but whoever 6heeds reproof is honored.
19 7A desire fulfilled is sweet to the soul, but to turn away from evil is an abomination to fools.
20 Whoever walks with the wise becomes wise, but the companion of fools will suffer harm.
21 8Disaster[a] pursues sinners, 9but the righteous are rewarded with good.
22 10A good man leaves an inheritance to his children's children, but 11the sinner's wealth is laid up for the righteous.
23 The fallow ground of the poor would yield much food, but it is swept away through 12injustice.
24 13Whoever spares the rod hates his son, but he who loves him is diligent to discipline him.[b]
25 14The righteous has enough to satisfy his appetite, but the belly of the wicked suffers want.

Cross References 14

  • 1. [Proverbs 12:23; Proverbs 15:2]
  • 2. [Proverbs 18:2; Ecclesiastes 10:3]
  • 3. Proverbs 25:13; [Proverbs 14:5]
  • 4. [Proverbs 15:5, 31, 32]
  • 5. [Proverbs 15:5]
  • 6. [Proverbs 15:31]
  • 7. [ver. 12]
  • 8. [Psalms 11:6; Psalms 32:10]
  • 9. [ver. 13; Luke 6:38]
  • 10. [Ezra 9:12; Psalms 37:25]
  • 11. Proverbs 28:8; See Job 27:16, 17
  • 12. [Proverbs 16:8]
  • 13. [Proverbs 19:18; Proverbs 22:15; Proverbs 23:13, 14; Proverbs 29:15, 17]
  • 14. See Proverbs 10:3

Footnotes 2

The English Standard Version is published with the permission of Good News Publishers.