Proverbs 13:3-13

3 Careful words make for a careful life; careless talk may ruin everything.
4 Indolence wants it all and gets nothing; the energetic have something to show for their lives.
5 A good person hates false talk; a bad person wallows in gibberish.
6 A God-loyal life keeps you on track; sin dumps the wicked in the ditch.
7 A pretentious, showy life is an empty life; a plain and simple life is a full life.
8 The rich can be sued for everything they have, but the poor are free of such threats.
9 The lives of good people are brightly lit streets; the lives of the wicked are dark alleys.
10 Arrogant know-it-alls stir up discord, but wise men and women listen to each other's counsel.
11 Easy come, easy go, but steady diligence pays off.
12 Unrelenting disappointment leaves you heartsick, but a sudden good break can turn life around.
13 Ignore the Word and suffer; honor God's commands and grow rich.
Published by permission. Originally published by NavPress in English as THE MESSAGE: The Bible in Contemporary Language copyright 2002 by Eugene Peterson. All rights reserved.