Proverbs · Chapter 13 of 31

Proverbs 13

1A wise son heareth his father’s instruction: but a scorner heareth not rebuke.

2A man shall eat good by the fruit of his mouth: but the soul of the transgressors shall eat violence.

3He that keepeth his mouth keepeth his life: but he that openeth wide his lips shall have destruction.

4The soul of the sluggard desireth, and hath nothing: but the soul of the diligent shall be made fat.

5A righteous man hateth lying: but a wicked man is loathsome, and cometh to shame.

6Righteousness keepeth him that is upright in the way: but wickedness overthroweth the sinner.

7There is that maketh himself rich, yet hath nothing: there is that maketh himself poor, yet hath great riches.

8The ransom of a man’s life are his riches: but the poor heareth not rebuke.

9The light of the righteous rejoiceth: but the lamp of the wicked shall be put out.

10Only by pride cometh contention: but with the well advised is wisdom.

11Wealth gotten by vanity shall be diminished: but he that gathereth by labour shall increase.

12Hope deferred maketh the heart sick: but when the desire cometh, it is a tree of life.

13Whoso despiseth the word shall be destroyed: but he that feareth the commandment shall be rewarded.

14The law of the wise is a fountain of life, to depart from the snares of death.

15Good understanding giveth favour: but the way of transgressors is hard.

16Every prudent man dealeth with knowledge: but a fool layeth open his folly.

17A wicked messenger falleth into mischief: but a faithful ambassador is health.

18Poverty and shame shall be to him that refuseth instruction: but he that regardeth reproof shall be honoured.

19The desire accomplished is sweet to the soul: but it is abomination to fools to depart from evil.

20He that walketh with wise men shall be wise: but a companion of fools shall be destroyed.

21Evil pursueth sinners: but to the righteous good shall be repayed.

22A good man leaveth an inheritance to his children’s children: and the wealth of the sinner is laid up for the just.

23Much food is in the tillage of the poor: but there is that is destroyed for want of judgment.

24He that spareth his rod hateth his son: but he that loveth him chasteneth him betimes.

25The righteous eateth to the satisfying of his soul: but the belly of the wicked shall want.

King James Version (1769) · public domain

About Proverbs

Proverbs 13 commentary

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on the Whole Bible (1706), public domain.

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.

Key verses in Proverbs 13

  • Proverbs 13:24

    He that spareth his rod hateth his son: but he that loveth him chasteneth him betimes.

  • Proverbs 13:11

    Wealth gotten by vanity shall be diminished: but he that gathereth by labour shall increase.

  • Proverbs 13:20

    He that walketh with wise men shall be wise: but a companion of fools shall be destroyed.

  • Proverbs 13:22

    A good man leaveth an inheritance to his children’s children: and the wealth of the sinner is laid up for the just.

  • Proverbs 13:4

    The soul of the sluggard desireth, and hath nothing: but the soul of the diligent shall be made fat.