Proverbs 13:1-25
In this 13th chapter, we’ll read many proverbs that compare and contrast the kind of person who practices self-discipline, is hard-working, and is willing to be corrected with someone who has no self-control, scoffs at correction, is lazy, and is never satisfied with what they have. One receives all kinds of blessings, while the other is met with sadness and disappointment.
Watch the Proverbs 13 video to learn more or continue reading below:
Hearing Instruction Is Wise (1)
A wise son heareth his father’s instruction: but a scorner heareth not rebuke. -Proverbs 13:1
A wise son hears: Godly fathers have a lot of experience in this world, and hopefully, wisdom that they can pass on to their children, if their children are willing to listen. And if their children will listen, it will prove to be a tremendous blessing to them. Think about all of the mistakes they can avoid in life, mistakes that their fathers have made and don’t want them to make. And not just mistakes their fathers have made, but mistakes their fathers can foresee, because of mistakes they’ve seen others make.
Guard Your Mouth and Words (2-3)
A man shall eat good by the fruit of his mouth: but the soul of the transgressors shall eat violence. -Proverbs 13:2
Fruit of his mouth: What comes out of our mouth produces fruit that comes back to us, whether it be good or bad. With that perspective in mind, we can think of our mouth and our words as seeds being planted around us. And who doesn’t want to be surrounded by goodness instead of evil? To be surrounded by goodness, you must speak good words and discipline your tongue.
He that keepeth his mouth keepeth his life: but he that openeth wide his lips shall have destruction. -Proverbs 13:3
Keeps his mouth: This builds off of the last verse. When we discipline our mouth, it preserves our life, but when we have loose or careless lips, it can come back to harm us.
Diligence and Righteousness Pay Off (4-6)
The soul of the sluggard desireth, and hath nothing: but the soul of the diligent shall be made fat. -Proverbs 13:4
The sluggard desires: Lazy people covet what the wealthy person has, but they refuse to work for it. This is a sin. If they put half their energy into being hard-working and diligent, rather than envying others, they could have plenty, but they don’t see that. Socialism encourages these people to think like this, and it is designed to make everyone miserable except the ruling classes, who don’t mind fueling the fire for class warfare as long as it keeps them there and anyone who opposes them out.
A righteous man hateth lying: but a wicked man is loathsome, and cometh to shame. -Proverbs 13:5
A righteous man hates lying: This is so true. Righteous people cannot stand liars, especially when they see it in the corporate media, from leftist politicians, or the neocons. Once you become a truth seeker from God’s word, these lies disturb us in a big way.
Righteousness keepeth him that is upright in the way: but wickedness overthroweth the sinner. -Proverbs 13:6
Righteousness keeps him in the way: Righteousness keeps one out of trouble. You don’t have to constantly worry about whether you are going to get caught doing something wrong. And if you do get persecuted for being righteous, standing up for what is right, then you still get to keep your joy knowing that your reward will be great in heaven.
Treasures In Heaven vs. Material Wealth (7-8)
There is that maketh himself rich, yet hath nothing: there is that maketh himself poor, yet hath great riches. -Proverbs 13:7
Makes himself rich: There are two takes on this. The first point is that some people pretend to be rich to impress others, but are deeply in debt, living beyond their means. In contrast, there are wealthy individuals who, despite their wealth, live well below their means, often going unnoticed.
A second take on this is that there are people who are wealthy with the riches of the world but possess no spiritual wealth. They miss out on all of the important things of life because they can’t stop thinking about material wealth or things this world considers wealth.
Jesus said Seek the Kingdom of God first, and all of the other things you need will be added on to you: true friendships, blessed family life, inner joy, peace of mind, you name it.
It’s all about balance. And that’s tough to do. But I think the best way to find that balance is to strive to keep a sabbath day as best we can. If we can start out observing one day a week where we fast from the pursuit of worldly riches and focus on being content with the blessings God has given us, I believe that helps us change our overall perspective on life.
There was a rich young ruler in Jesus’ time who appeared to have followed the commandments of God well, but Jesus told him the one area he lacked obedience in was that he loved his riches too much and that he should sell all his possessions and give them to the poor so that he could be rich with treasures in heaven (Luke 18:22). This appeared to be something he was unwilling to do. He was unwilling to make himself poor so that he could be rich.
Now of course, we’re not all commanded to be poor. Again, it’s perspective. If you are rich with material wealth because God blesses you for seeking His kingdom first, then no need to sell all that you have and give to the poor if you are already with God’s blessings helping those in need, whether physically or spiritually.
The ransom of a man’s life are his riches: but the poor heareth not rebuke. -Proverbs 13:8
Poor doesn’t hear rebuke: This is another verse that seems to suggest a simple godly life is better than being someone rich with worldly wealth. Those who are rich with worldly wealth often make themselves the target of the coveters, those who want to steal what they have, whether that be a corrupt government or just evil people. When you are poor or live modestly, you blend in and are not a target for such a thing.
Righteousness vs. Pride and Wickedness (9-10)
The light of the righteous rejoiceth: but the lamp of the wicked shall be put out. -Proverbs 13:9
Light of the righteous: A life of righteousness brings joy and happiness, while a life of wickedness brings darkness and death. Can’t help but think of Daniel 12:3, where the righteous are promised to shine like the stars of heaven.
Only by pride cometh contention: but with the well advised is wisdom. -Proverbs 13:10
Pride causes contention: So true, just look at all of the contention in the world today. The pride of Satan is ultimately the root cause of all this heartache, misery, and contention. One prideful, selfish being caused all this. We all should take diligent note of this and squash our own pride every time it rears its ugly head. Because of how destructive we know pride to be, we ought to hate it with a godly passion.
Hard Work, Hopes, and Expectations (11-12)
Wealth gotten by vanity shall be diminished: but he that gathereth by labour shall increase. -Proverbs 13:11
Gathers by labour: I’m glad this proverb is here, as it helps give us a balanced perspective on material wealth and proves that there is no sin in gaining riches by hard work and diligence. Worldly wealth is only a sin when it becomes more important to you than the kingdom of God.
Hope deferred maketh the heart sick: but when the desire cometh, it is a tree of life. -Proverbs 13:12
Hope deferred: We tend to become discouraged when something we were expecting is delayed. I suppose that is human nature. However, when the thing we were waiting for finally arrives, it is a pleasant relief to our souls.
Watch: Eating Fresh Food In Season: Tree of Life
Revering The Word of God (13-16)
Whoso despiseth the word shall be destroyed: but he that feareth the commandment shall be rewarded. -Proverbs 13:13
Shall be destroyed: All who despise God’s Word will be destroyed, while those who revere it and God’s commands will be significantly rewarded on Judgment Day (Revelation 20:13).
The law of the wise is a fountain of life, to depart from the snares of death. -Proverbs 13:14
Law of the wise: Wisdom definitely is a fountain of life. Those who drink it find a meaningful life and are able to avoid all of the traps in life.
Good understanding giveth favour: but the way of transgressors is hard. -Proverbs 13:15
The way of transgressors is hard: Sin, living unrighteously, makes life much more complicated than it needs to be. Much easier to discipline yourself in understanding than to suffer for lack thereof.
Every prudent man dealeth with knowledge: but a fool layeth open his folly. -Proverbs 13:16
Prudent man: Prudent men take the time to gain knowledge so they can be prudent, but fools are too lazy to gain knowledge, and their foolishness is open for all to see. Don’t be a fool, take the time to acquire knowledge, and don’t think you can get away with just winging it. You will be found out.
Watch: Cutting & Burning God’s Word (Jeremiah 36)
Being Faithful In All Things (17-19)
A wicked messenger falleth into mischief: but a faithful ambassador is health. -Proverbs 13:17
A faithful ambassador: If someone sends you on a mission, complete that mission. Don’t get distracted, don’t go out to seek your own will first. Be faithful. This is so important, whether you are delivering a message for God (pastors/teachers), on a mission for a friend, or as an employee for the business or government you work for, or just a truth teller.
Poverty and shame shall be to him that refuseth instruction: but he that regardeth reproof shall be honoured. -Proverbs 13:18
Poverty and shame: Here again, we see the importance of being able to receive correction vs. being an obstinate know-it-all who hates being told anything. A humble, teachable person will be honoured. Embrace being corrected, knowing it will make you a better person if you are willing to receive and act on it. Not only that, but humbleness can also bring you honour and riches.
The desire accomplished is sweet to the soul: but it is abomination to fools to depart from evil. -Proverbs 13:19
The desire accomplished: When a righteous person accomplishes a worthy or righteous task, it feels good and satisfying. But fools love evil so much that they consider it an abomination to even think about not doing what they are doing. This lets us understand even deeper the seductive power sin has over fools and why it’s so hard for them to forsake it. Better yet, it lets us know that wisdom is the antidote to sin. The more wisdom and understanding one has, the easier it is for them to forsake evil. Why? Because you know that sin isn’t going to help you. You know sin always hurts. So it’s much easier to resist with that understanding. This is why Jesus said, “Learn the truth, and the truth will set you free” (John 8:32).
Choosing The Right Friends (20-21)
He that walketh with wise men shall be wise: but a companion of fools shall be destroyed. -Proverbs 13:20
He that walks with wise men: Such an important principle. You become like the people you hang out with. You hang out with fools, then you’ll become a fool. Hang out with wise people and you’ll become wise. This should encourage us to be intentional about who we spend a lot of time with. It’s also a warning to stop hanging out with people who are going to drag you down.
For instance, if you have a group of friends who don’t do anything but want to drink and party all the time, you probably need to limit your time with those friends and find different, productive friends to hang out with. It can be hard to cut someone out from your inner circle, but at times it has to be done to protect yourself from being destroyed.
Evil pursueth sinners: but to the righteous good shall be repayed. -Proverbs 13:21
Evil pursues sinners: Evil people attract trouble to their lives while righteous people attract good things. Some call this the “law of attraction”.
Leaving An Inheritance (22-23)
A good man leaveth an inheritance to his children’s children: and the wealth of the sinner is laid up for the just. -Proverbs 13:22
An inheritance to his children’s children: This verse makes me think of Abraham. Because of his faith/obedience to God, he was able to leave his descendants an amazing inheritance. God told him:
“And I will make thee exceeding fruitful, and I will make nations of thee, and kings shall come out of thee.” -Genesis 17:6
“That in blessing I will bless thee, and in multiplying I will multiply thy seed as the stars of heaven, and as the sand which is upon the sea shore; and thy seed shall possess the gate of his enemies.” -Genesis 22:17
“And I will make of thee a great nation, and I will bless thee, and make thy name great; and thou shalt be a blessing.” – Genesis 12:1
Much food is in the tillage of the poor: but there is that is destroyed for want of judgment. -Proverbs 13:23
Tillage of the poor: A poor person who works hard at cultivating a new piece of land will be blessed with food. Yet another proverb that encourages people to live a simple life and grow their own food.
Watch: Great Nation and a Company of Nations (Genesis 48)
Rod of Correction and Contentment (24-25)
He that spareth his rod hateth his son: but he that loveth him chasteneth him betimes. –Proverbs 13:24
Spares the rod: Spare the rod, hate the child. This is a famous proverb, and a proverb that many parents need to take heed of today. Children are not disciplined like they used to be, and it has proven to have devastating consequences on the morality and health of our nation.
The righteous eateth to the satisfying of his soul: but the belly of the wicked shall want. -Proverbs 13:25
Satisfying of his soul: The righteous are content with having everything they need, the basics of life, while the wicked are never satisfied with any amount of substance they have. It’s never enough for them. Be content and thankful for all your blessings.