Proverbs 13

²Good words bring good results — like eating good fruit. But those who do wrong will taste the harm their own choices produce.

³Guard your mouth and you guard your life. Talk carelessly and it will bring you to ruin.

⁴The lazy person wants many things but ends up with nothing. The hard worker gets more and more.

⁵A righteous person hates lying. But a wicked person does shameful things and ends up disgraced.

⁶Righteousness keeps the upright person safe on the right path. But doing wrong trips up the sinner and brings them down.

⁷Some people look rich but have nothing that matters. Some look poor but are rich in what truly counts.

⁸Wealth can get a rich person out of some trouble. But a poor person does not have that worry — and sometimes that is freeing.

⁹The righteous person's light shines bright and rejoices! But the wicked person's light will one day go out forever.

¹⁰Pride is the root of every argument and fight. But those who take good advice grow in wisdom.

¹¹Money gained quickly through foolish means will shrink away. But what you build slowly through hard work will grow and grow.

¹²Waiting too long for something you hope for makes your heart ache. But when it finally comes, it feels like a whole tree of life blooming!

¹³Anyone who despises God's word will be destroyed. But the one who honours and fears God's commands will be rewarded.

¹⁴The teaching of the wise is like a fountain of life. It helps you escape every deadly trap.

¹⁵Good understanding wins you favour with people. But the path of those who do wrong is rough and hard.

¹⁶A wise and careful person acts with knowledge. But a foolish person shows off their foolishness for everyone to see.

¹⁷A messenger who cannot be trusted causes trouble everywhere. But a faithful ambassador brings healing and peace.

¹⁸The person who refuses teaching ends up poor and ashamed. But the one who welcomes correction will be honoured.

¹⁹Reaching a good goal is sweet to the soul. But fools hate the idea of leaving their wrong ways behind.

²⁰Walk with wise people and you will grow wise. Choose foolish companions and you will be destroyed.

²¹Evil chases after those who do wrong and catches up with them. But good things come back to the righteous.

²²A good person builds a legacy for their grandchildren. Even what the sinner stores up will end up with the righteous.

²³A poor person's field can produce much food with wise tending. But some lose everything because they lack good judgment.

²⁴A parent who never corrects their child does not truly love them. But a parent who lovingly disciplines early shows real love.

²⁵The righteous person is truly satisfied — their soul is fed and full. But the wicked person's belly is always wanting, never full.