Proverbs 13:7-17

7 One man pretends to be rich but has nothing; another pretends to be poor but has great wealth.^[a]

8 Riches are a ransom for a man's life,^[b] but a poor man hears no threat.

9 The light of the righteous shines brightly,^[c] but the lamp of the wicked is extinguished.^[d]

10 Arrogance leads to nothing but strife,^[e] but wisdom is gained by those who take advice.

11 Wealth obtained by fraud will dwindle,^[f] but whoever earns it through labor^[g] will multiply it.^[h]

12 Delayed hope makes the heart sick, but fulfilled desire is a tree of life.^[i]

13 The one who has contempt for instruction will pay the penalty, but the one who respects a command will be rewarded.^[j]

14 A wise man's instruction is a fountain of life, turning people away from the snares of death.^[k]

15 Good sense wins favor, but the way of the treacherous never changes.^[l]

16 Every sensible person acts knowledgeably, but a fool displays his stupidity.

17 A wicked messenger falls into trouble, but a trustworthy courier [brings] healing.^[m]

Footnotes

• [a] Pr 11:24; 1 Tm 6:17-19; Rv 3:17-18
• [b] Pr 10:15; Jb 2:4
• [c] Pr 4:18
• [d] Pr 20:20; 24:20; Jb 18:5-6
• [e] Pr 17:19
• [f] Pr 10:2; 20:21; 23:5
• [g] Lit whoever gathers upon (his) hand
• [h] Pr 10:4; 21:5-6
• [i] Pr 11:30; 15:4
• [j] Pr 3:1-2; 4:4; 6:23
• [k] Pr 10:11; 14:27; Ps 116:3
• [l] LXX, Syr, Tg read treacherous will perish
• [m] Pr 25:13