Proverbs , Sarah Barry
WISDOM: A FOUNTAIN OF LIFE
Passage: Proverbs 13:1~25  
Key verse: 14
13 A wise son heeds his father’s instruction,
but a mocker does not respond to rebukes.(A)
2 From the fruit of their lips people enjoy good things,(B)
but the unfaithful have an appetite for violence.
3 Those who guard their lips(C) preserve their lives,(D)
but those who speak rashly will come to ruin.(E)
4 A sluggard’s appetite is never filled,(F)
but the desires of the diligent are fully satisfied.
5 The righteous hate what is false,(G)
but the wicked make themselves a stench
and bring shame on themselves.
6 Righteousness guards the person of integrity,
but wickedness overthrows the sinner.(H)
7 One person pretends to be rich, yet has nothing;(I)
another pretends to be poor, yet has great wealth.(J)
8 A person’s riches may ransom their life,
but the poor cannot respond to threatening rebukes.(K)
9 The light of the righteous shines brightly,
but the lamp of the wicked is snuffed out.(L)
10 Where there is strife, there is pride,
but wisdom is found in those who take advice.(M)
11 Dishonest money dwindles away,(N)
but whoever gathers money little by little makes it grow.
12 Hope deferred makes the heart sick,
but a longing fulfilled is a tree of life.(O)
15 Good judgment wins favor,
but the way of the unfaithful leads to their destruction.[a]
18 Whoever disregards discipline comes to poverty and shame,(Y)
but whoever heeds correction is honored.(Z)
19 A longing fulfilled is sweet to the soul,(AA)
but fools detest turning from evil.
20 Walk with the wise and become wise,
for a companion of fools suffers harm.(AB)
22 A good person leaves an inheritance for their children’s children,
but a sinner’s wealth is stored up for the righteous.(AF)
23 An unplowed field produces food for the poor,
but injustice sweeps it away.
24 Whoever spares the rod(AG) hates their children,
but the one who loves their children is careful to discipline(AH) them.(AI)
25 The righteous eat to their hearts’ content,
but the stomach of the wicked goes hungry.(AJ)
Footnotes
- Proverbs 13:15 Septuagint and Syriac; the meaning of the Hebrew for this phrase is uncertain.
- Proverbs 13:16 Or prudent protect themselves through
Cross references
- Proverbs 13:1 : S Pr 12:1; 15:5
- Proverbs 13:2 : S Pr 12:14
- Proverbs 13:3 : S Ps 12:2; S 34:13
- Proverbs 13:3 : S Pr 10:6; 21:23
- Proverbs 13:3 : S Job 1:22; Pr 18:7, 20-21
- Proverbs 13:4 : Pr 21:25-26
- Proverbs 13:5 : S Ps 119:128
- Proverbs 13:6 : S Pr 11:3, 5; Jer 44:5
- Proverbs 13:7 : Rev 3:17
- Proverbs 13:7 : 2Co 6:10
- Proverbs 13:8 : Pr 15:16
- Proverbs 13:9 : S Job 18:5; S Pr 4:18-19
- Proverbs 13:10 : S Jdg 19:30; S Pr 9:9
- Proverbs 13:11 : S Pr 10:2
- Proverbs 13:12 : S Pr 10:11
- Proverbs 13:13 : S Nu 15:31
- Proverbs 13:13 : Ex 9:20
- Proverbs 13:13 : Pr 16:20
- Proverbs 13:14 : S Pr 10:11
- Proverbs 13:14 : Pr 14:27
- Proverbs 13:16 : Ecc 10:3
- Proverbs 13:16 : Est 5:11; S Ps 38:5
- Proverbs 13:17 : S Pr 10:26
- Proverbs 13:17 : Pr 25:13
- Proverbs 13:18 : S Pr 1:7; S 12:1
- Proverbs 13:18 : Ps 141:5; Pr 25:12; Ecc 7:5
- Proverbs 13:19 : S Pr 10:11
- Proverbs 13:20 : 2Ch 10:8
- Proverbs 13:21 : 2Sa 3:39; Jer 40:3; 50:7; Eze 14:13; 18:4
- Proverbs 13:21 : Ps 32:10
- Proverbs 13:21 : Ps 25:13
- Proverbs 13:22 : S Est 8:2; S Job 27:17; Ecc 2:26
- Proverbs 13:24 : S 2Sa 7:14
- Proverbs 13:24 : S Pr 3:12
- Proverbs 13:24 : Pr 19:18; 22:15; 23:13-14; 29:15, 17; Eph 6:4; Heb 12:7
- Proverbs 13:25 : Pr 10:3
Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Source:  BibleGateway
Receiving instruction begins with a humble heart towards our Father’s instruction and his rebukes at our foolishness (1), and this process continues throughout life. Pride brings strife (10a). Scorning instruction has negative consequences (13a). When we keep company with fools, surely harm, poverty, and shame will follow (18,20). However, when we humbly take advice from the wise, we ourselves grow in wisdom. Respecting a command (13b) and heeding correction (18b), especially from God’s word, will bring reward and honor. We should surround ourselves with wise people.
The teaching of the wise gives life and turns us from death (14). This is ultimately fulfilled in Jesus Christ who has the words of eternal life (Jn 6:68). Will you humbly listen to Jesus today?
Prayer: Father, your word is a fountain of life. Give me an open heart to receive your instruction.
One Word: A right attitude toward wisdom