God Speaks
A wise child accepts a parent’s discipline;
a mocker refuses to listen to correction.
2 Wise words will win you a good meal,
but treacherous people have an appetite for violence.
3 Those who control their tongue will have a long life;
opening your mouth can ruin everything.
4 Lazy people want much but get little,
but those who work hard will prosper.
5 The godly hate lies;
the wicked cause shame and disgrace.
6 Godliness guards the path of the blameless,
but the evil are misled by sin.
7 Some who are poor pretend to be rich;
others who are rich pretend to be poor.
8 The rich can pay a ransom for their lives,
but the poor won’t even get threatened.
9 The life of the godly is full of light and joy,
but the light of the wicked will be snuffed out.
10 Pride leads to conflict;
those who take advice are wise.
11 Wealth from get-rich-quick schemes quickly disappears;
wealth from hard work grows over time.
12 Hope deferred makes the heart sick,
but a dream fulfilled is a tree of life.
13 People who despise advice are asking for trouble;
those who respect a command will succeed.
14 The instruction of the wise is like a life-giving fountain;
those who accept it avoid the snares of death.
15 A person with good sense is respected;
a treacherous person is headed for destruction.
16 Wise people think before they act;
fools don’t—and even brag about their foolishness.
17 An unreliable messenger stumbles into trouble,
but a reliable messenger brings healing.
18 If you ignore criticism, you will end in poverty and disgrace;
if you accept correction, you will be honored.
19 It is pleasant to see dreams come true,
but fools refuse to turn from evil to attain them.
20 Walk with the wise and become wise;
associate with fools and get in trouble.
21 Trouble chases sinners,
while blessings reward the righteous.
22 Good people leave an inheritance to their grandchildren,
but the sinner’s wealth passes to the godly.
23 A poor person’s farm may produce much food,
but injustice sweeps it all away.
24 Those who spare the rod of discipline hate their children.
Those who love their children care enough to discipline them.
25 The godly eat to their hearts’ content,
but the belly of the wicked goes hungry.
Source: New Living Translation: BibleGateway.com
We Respond
Reflection: For purpose of study in comparison and contrast, Proverbs 13 is presented here with the good or godly statements in italic.
1. A wise child accepts a parent’s discipline; a mocker refuses to listen to correction.
2. Wise words will win you a good meal, but treacherous people have an appetite for violence.
3. Those who control their tongue will have a long life; opening your mouth can ruin everything.
4. Lazy people want much but get little, but those who work hard will prosper.
5. The godly hate lies; the wicked cause shame and disgrace.
6. Godliness guards the path of the blameless, but the evil are misled by sin.
7. Some who are poor pretend to be rich; others who are rich pretend to be poor.
8. The rich can pay a ransom for their lives, but the poor won’t even get threatened,
9. The life of the godly is full of light and joy, but the light of the wicked will be snuffed out.
10. Pride leads to conflict; those who take advice are wise.
11. Wealth from get-rich-quick schemes quickly disappears; wealth from hard work grows over time.
12. Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but a dream fulfilled is a tree of life.
13. People who despise advice are asking for trouble; those who respect a command will succeed.
14. The instruction of the wise is like a life-giving fountain; those who accept it avoid the snares of death.
15. A person with good sense is respected; a treacherous person is headed for destruction.
16. Wise people think before they act; fools don’t–and even brag about their foolishness.
17. An unreliable messenger stumbles into trouble, but a reliable messenger brings healing.
18. If you ignore criticism, you will end in poverty and disgrace; if you accept correction, you will be honored.
19. It is pleasant to see dreams come true, but fools refuse to turn from evil to attain them.
20. Walk with the wise and become wise; associate with fools and get in trouble.
21. Trouble chases sinners, while blessings reward the righteous.
22. Good people leave an inheritance to their grandchildren, but the sinner’s wealth passes to the godly.
23. A poor person’s farm may produce much food, but injustice sweeps it all away.
24. Those who spare the rod of discipline hate their children. Those who love their children care enough to discipline them.
25. The godly eat to their heart’s content, but the belly of the wicked goes hungry.
Consider the following questions regarding Proverbs 13:
1. What does this chapter tell me about God?
2. What does this chapter tell me about the human beings He created?
Here is one possible answer to each of these questions. Ask the Holy Spirit if there are any others for you personally to ponder.
1. God is the One who brings His godly ones together to help each other build His kingdom.
2. People can turn to the LORD God to change them from foolish and wicked to wise and godly.
Prayer:
3. How might I pray regarding Proverbs 13?
Thank You, LORD God, that through response to Jesus’ life, death, resurrection, and intercession, You changed me from being foolish and wicked to being wise and godly. I may do foolish things at times but thank You that it doesn’t have to be fatal or eternal. All I need to do is turn back to You and receive the forgiveness Jesus obtained for me. Please help pass this wisdom on to others so that they can enjoy the benefits of wisdom, godliness, and righteousness–protection, guidance, provision, and all the fruit of the Spirit. Thank You, LORD, for gift of wise counselors, be they parents or friends, who can guide us to solutions to our problems. Especially, thank You, Spirit of God, for being the source of all wisdom. May multitudes turn to You. AMEN
Action: (Ask God, the Holy Spirit, if He wants you to work on one of the suggestions below or something else more personal that He points out.)
4. What action does the LORD want me to take in response to Proverbs 13? With the help of God’s Holy Spirit:
- I will ask God to connect me with a wise advisor; then I will do what they tell me.
- I will avoid people who want to involve me in some get-rich-quick scheme.
- I will work hard and save so that I can leave an inheritance.
- I will cooperate with the Holy Spirit as He is training me to be godly and wise.
Share: I plan to share what I’ve learned with __________.