Which Bible translation is shown on Proverbs 13?

This page reproduces the public-domain World English Bible Protestant edition.

How should I cite a verse in Proverbs 13?

Use the book, chapter, and verse, and name the World English Bible when the wording matters.

Proverbs 13 (WEB) — Full Text

Old Testament

Proverbs 13

1A wise son listens to his father’s instruction, but a scoffer doesn’t listen to rebuke.

2By the fruit of his lips, a man enjoys good things, but the unfaithful crave violence.

3He who guards his mouth guards his soul. One who opens wide his lips comes to ruin.

4The soul of the sluggard desires, and has nothing, but the desire of the diligent shall be fully satisfied.

5A righteous man hates lies, but a wicked man brings shame and disgrace.

6Righteousness guards the way of integrity, but wickedness overthrows the sinner.

7There are some who pretend to be rich, yet have nothing. There are some who pretend to be poor, yet have great wealth.

8The ransom of a man’s life is his riches, but the poor hear no threats.

9The light of the righteous shines brightly, but the lamp of the wicked is snuffed out.

10Pride only breeds quarrels, but wisdom is with people who take advice.

11Wealth gained dishonestly dwindles away, but he who gathers by hand makes it grow.

12Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but when longing is fulfilled, it is a tree of life.

13Whoever despises instruction will pay for it, but he who respects a command will be rewarded.

14The teaching of the wise is a spring of life, to turn from the snares of death.

15Good understanding wins favor, but the way of the unfaithful is hard.

16Every prudent man acts from knowledge, but a fool exposes folly.

17A wicked messenger falls into trouble, but a trustworthy envoy gains healing.

18Poverty and shame come to him who refuses discipline, but he who heeds correction shall be honored.

19Longing fulfilled is sweet to the soul, but fools detest turning from evil.

20One who walks with wise men grows wise, but a companion of fools suffers harm.

21Misfortune pursues sinners, but prosperity rewards the righteous.

22A good man leaves an inheritance to his children’s children, but the wealth of the sinner is stored for the righteous.

23An abundance of food is in poor people’s fields, but injustice sweeps it away.

24One who spares the rod hates his son, but one who loves him is careful to discipline him.

25The righteous one eats to the satisfying of his soul, but the belly of the wicked goes hungry.

READ IN CONTEXT

Before applying this chapter

Wisdom for character, speech, work, relationships, justice, money, and reverence for God. Read Proverbs 13 within the complete Proverbs overview, and use the contextual Bible reading guide before forming a personal application. Chapter divisions aid navigation, but the literary unit may begin earlier or continue into the next chapter.

Observe first

Mark repeated words, changes of speaker, commands, promises, contrasts, questions, and the relationship between paragraphs.

Apply responsibly

Distinguish description from command and immediate audience from later readers before forming a personal application.

TEXT-DERIVED READING NOTES

What to notice in Proverbs 13

Proverbs 13 contains 25 verses and about 366 words in this translation. These observations come from the chapter itself; they are prompts for close reading, not claims about its only possible meaning.

The opening movement

Verse 1 begins: “A wise son listens to his father’s instruction, but a scoffer doesn’t listen to rebuke.” Ask what situation, voice, image, or argument this opening establishes for everything that follows.

The closing movement

Verse 25 closes: “The righteous one eats to the satisfying of his soul, but the belly of the wicked goes hungry.” Compare the ending with the opening and note what changed, resolved, intensified, or remained open.

Vocabulary worth tracing

Recurring or prominent content words include righteous, wise, soul, wicked, good, guards. Follow where each word appears and whether its meaning shifts with the speaker or setting.

COMMON QUESTIONS

About Proverbs 13

Which Bible translation is shown here?+

This page reproduces the World English Bible Protestant edition (WEBP), a modern-English translation dedicated to the public domain.

How should I cite a specific verse?+

Use the book, chapter, and verse—for example, Proverbs 13:1—and name the World English Bible if the wording matters. Each verse number above is a direct anchor link.

Does the chapter number define the complete literary unit?+

Not always. Chapter and verse numbers were added for navigation. Check the paragraphs, scenes, poetic stanzas, or argument before and after this chapter.