Proverbs 13
What Happens in This Chapter
This chapter is a list of short sayings that set two ways of living side by side. It compares the wise and the foolish, the honest and the dishonest, the hardworking and the lazy, and tells what each way leads to. Many of the sayings are about words, money, and listening when someone corrects you.
Plain reading written for kids. Short sentences, everyday words, one idea at a time.
A wise son heareth his father’s instruction: but a scorner heareth not rebuke.
1A wise son listens when his father teaches him. But a person who makes fun of others will not listen when corrected.
2A man shall eat good by the fruit of his mouth: but the soul of the transgressors shall eat violence.
2Good words bring a person good things to enjoy. But people who do wrong want to hurt others.
3He that keepeth his mouth keepeth his life: but he that openeth wide his lips shall have destruction.
3A person who is careful with his words keeps himself safe. A person who says whatever he wants brings ruin on himself.
4The soul of the sluggard desireth, and hath nothing: but the soul of the diligent shall be made fat.
4A lazy person wants things but ends up with nothing. A person who works hard has all he needs.
The old wording says the hardworking person will "be made fat." In 1611 English that meant well fed and having plenty, not overweight.
5A righteous man hateth lying: but a wicked man is loathsome, and cometh to shame.
5A good person hates lies. A bad person acts in a shameful way and ends up in disgrace.
6Righteousness keepeth him that is upright in the way: but wickedness overthroweth the sinner.
6Doing what is right keeps an honest person safe. Doing what is wrong knocks a sinner down.
7There is that maketh himself rich, yet hath nothing: there is that maketh himself poor, yet hath great riches.
7One person acts rich but really has nothing. Another person acts poor but really has a lot.
8The ransom of a man’s life are his riches: but the poor heareth not rebuke.
8Rich people can pay money to save their lives. Poor people have no money, so no one threatens them for it.
9The light of the righteous rejoiceth: but the lamp of the wicked shall be put out.
9The light of good people shines bright. The lamp of bad people goes out.
10Only by pride cometh contention: but with the well advised is wisdom.
10Being proud only starts fights. Wisdom belongs to people who listen to good advice.
11Wealth gotten by vanity shall be diminished: but he that gathereth by labour shall increase.
11Money gotten in dishonest ways slowly disappears. Money earned by hard work keeps growing.
12Hope deferred maketh the heart sick: but when the desire cometh, it is a tree of life.
12Waiting a long time for something makes the heart sad. Getting what you hoped for feels like a tree full of life.
13Whoso despiseth the word shall be destroyed: but he that feareth the commandment shall be rewarded.
13A person who looks down on good teaching will pay for it. A person who respects a command will be rewarded.
14The law of the wise is a fountain of life, to depart from the snares of death.
14What wise people teach is like a spring of fresh water. It helps a person stay away from traps that lead to death.
15Good understanding giveth favour: but the way of transgressors is hard.
15Good sense makes people like you. But the road of those who do wrong is hard.
16Every prudent man dealeth with knowledge: but a fool layeth open his folly.
16A careful person thinks and uses what he knows. A foolish person shows everyone how silly he is.
17A wicked messenger falleth into mischief: but a faithful ambassador is health.
17A messenger who does wrong falls into trouble. A messenger you can trust brings healing.
18Poverty and shame shall be to him that refuseth instruction: but he that regardeth reproof shall be honoured.
18If you refuse to be taught, you end up poor and ashamed. If you listen when corrected, people will honor you.
19The desire accomplished is sweet to the soul: but it is abomination to fools to depart from evil.
19Getting what you longed for feels sweet. But fools hate the idea of turning away from evil.
20He that walketh with wise men shall be wise: but a companion of fools shall be destroyed.
20Walk with wise people and you will become wise. Spend your time with fools and you will be ruined.
21Evil pursueth sinners: but to the righteous good shall be repayed.
21Trouble chases after people who do wrong. Good things come back to people who do right.
22A good man leaveth an inheritance to his children’s children: and the wealth of the sinner is laid up for the just.
22A good man leaves something behind for his children and grandchildren. What a sinner saves up ends up with good people.
23Much food is in the tillage of the poor: but there is that is destroyed for want of judgment.
23The farmland of a poor man can grow plenty of food. But when people are unfair, it is all swept away.
The old wording says "tillage," which means plowed farmland, and "want of judgment," which means a lack of fair treatment.
24He that spareth his rod hateth his son: but he that loveth him chasteneth him betimes.
24A father who never corrects his son does not really love him. A father who loves his son corrects him early.
A "rod" was a stick used to correct a child. "Betimes" is an old word that means early or right away.
25The righteous eateth to the satisfying of his soul: but the belly of the wicked shall want.
25Good people eat until they are full. But bad people are left hungry.
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