1 A wise son listens to his father's instruction, But a scoffer doesn't listen to rebuke.
2 By the fruit of his lips, a man enjoys good things; But the unfaithful crave violence.
3 He who guards his mouth guards his soul. One who opens wide his lips comes to ruin.
4 The soul of the sluggard desires, and has nothing, But the desire of the diligent shall be fully satisfied.
5 A righteous man hates lies, But a wicked man brings shame and disgrace.
6 Righteousness guards the way of integrity, But wickedness overthrows the sinner.
7 There are some who pretend to be rich, yet have nothing. There are some who pretend to be poor, yet have great wealth.
8 The ransom of a man's life is his riches, But the poor hear no threats.
9 The light of the righteous shines brightly, But the lamp of the wicked is snuffed out.
10 Pride only breeds quarrels, But with ones who take advice is wisdom.
11 Wealth gained dishonestly dwindles away, But he who gathers by hand makes it grow.
12 Hope deferred makes the heart sick, But when longing is fulfilled, it is a tree of life.
13 Whoever despises instruction will pay for it, But he who respects a command will be rewarded.
14 The teaching of the wise is a spring of life, To turn from the snares of death.
15 Good understanding wins favor; But the way of the unfaithful is hard.
16 Every prudent man acts from knowledge, But a fool exposes folly.
17 A wicked messenger falls into trouble, But a trustworthy envoy gains healing.
18 Poverty and shame come to him who refuses discipline, But he who heeds correction shall be honored.
19 Longing fulfilled is sweet to the soul, But fools detest turning from evil.
20 One who walks with wise men grows wise, But a companion of fools suffers harm.
21 Misfortune pursues sinners, But prosperity rewards the righteous.
22 A good man leaves an inheritance to his children's children, But the wealth of the sinner is stored for the righteous.
23 An abundance of food is in poor people's fields, But injustice sweeps it away.
24 One who spares the rod hates his son, But one who loves him is careful to discipline him.
25 The righteous one eats to the satisfying of his soul, But the belly of the wicked goes hungry.
Worthy.Bible » Commentaries » Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible » Commentary on Proverbs 13
Commentary on Proverbs 13 Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
CHAPTER 13
Pr 13:1-25.
1. (Compare Pr 6:1-5; 10:1, 17).
2. shall eat—that is, obtain (Pr 12:14).
transgressors—as in Pr 2:22.
violence—or, "mischief" to themselves.
3. He … mouth … life—because evil speeches may provoke violence from others.
he that openeth wide his lips shall have destruction—On last clause, compare Pr 10:14.
4. (Compare Pr 12:11, 27).
5. loathsome … shame—better, causeth shame and reproach (compare Pr 19:26), by slander, &c., which the righteous hates.
6. A sentiment of frequent recurrence, that piety benefits and sin injures.
7. In opposite ways men act hypocritically for gain of honor or wealth.
8. Riches save some from punishment, while others suffer because they will not heed the rebuke of sloth, which makes and keeps them poor.
9. light … lamp—prosperity; the first, the greater, and it
rejoiceth—burns brightly, or continues, while the other, at best small, soon fails.
10. The obstinacy which attends self-conceit, produces contention, which the well-advised, thus evincing modesty, avoid.
11. by vanity—or, "nothingness," that is, which is vain or useless to the public (as card playing or similar vices).
gathereth … labour—(Compare Margin), little by little, laboriously.
12. desire cometh—is realized.
a tree of life—or, "cause of happiness."
13. the word—that is, of advice, or, instruction (compare Pr 10:27; 11:31).
14. (Compare Pr 10:11).
fountain—or, "source of life."
to depart—(compare Pr 1:2-4), or, "for departing," &c., and so gives life.
15. Right perception and action secure good will, while evil ways are difficult as a stony road. The wicked left of God find punishment of sin in sinning.
hard—or, "harsh" (compare Hebrew: De 21:4; Jer 5:15).
16. dealeth—acts with foresight.
a fool … folly—for want of caution.
17. A wicked—or, "unfaithful"
messenger falleth into mischief—or, "by mischief," or "evil," and so his errand fails. Contrasted is the character of the faithful, whose faithfulness benefits others.
18. (Compare Pr 10:17; 12:1).
19. Self-denial, which fools will not endure, is essential to success.
20. The benefits of good and evil of bad society are contrasted.
21. (Compare Pr 11:31).
good … repaid—or, "He (God) will repay good."
22. wealth … just—While good men's estates remain in their families, God so orders that the gains of sinners enure to the just (compare Pr 28:8; Ps 37:18, 22, 26, &c.).
23. The laboring poor prosper more than those who injudiciously or wickedly strive, by fraud and violence, to supersede the necessity of lawful labor.
24. spareth—or, "withholds."
rod—of correction.
hateth—or, acts as if he hated him (compare Pr 3:12; 8:36).
chasteneth … betimes—or, "diligently seeks for him all useful discipline."
25. The comparative temporal prosperity of the righteous and wicked, rather than contentment and discontent, is noted.