The big picture
Proverbs 13 opens in verse 1 with “A wise son heareth his father’s instruction: but a scorner heareth not rebuke.”, reaches its middle movement near verse 13 with “Whoso despiseth the word shall be destroyed: but he that feareth the commandment shall…”, and closes in verse 25 with “The righteous eateth to the satisfying of his soul: but the belly of the wicked shall…” Repeated or prominent terms include soul, good, life, righteous, wicked. Together, those details trace this chapter’s own movement from its opening to its conclusion.
Scripture beside the summary
Proverbs · King James Version · 25Proverbs 13:1-7
1–7: A wise son heareth his father’s instruction: but a scorner heareth not…
Proverbs 13:1–7 opens with “A wise son heareth his father’s instruction: but a scorner heareth not rebuke.” and reaches “There is that maketh himself rich, yet hath nothing: there is that maketh himself poor, yet hath…” by its final verse. That movement develops the focus on Proverbs 13 develops its own movement around soul, good, life, righteous, wicked, with particular weight carried by keepeth, soul, heareth.
Context that brings the passage to life
“A wise son heareth his father’s instruction: but a scorner heareth not rebuke.” The line’s distinctive content terms include heareth, father’s, instruction. Its relationship to verses 2 shows what work it does in this passage.
Proverbs 13:1-7
King James Version1A wise son heareth his father’s instruction: but a scorner heareth not rebuke.
2A man shall eat good by the fruit of his mouth: but the soul of the transgressors shall eat violence.
3He that keepeth his mouth keepeth his life: but he that openeth wide his lips shall have destruction.
4The soul of the sluggard desireth, and hath nothing: but the soul of the diligent shall be made fat.
5A righteous man hateth lying: but a wicked man is loathsome, and cometh to shame.
6Righteousness keepeth him that is upright in the way: but wickedness overthroweth the sinner.
7There is that maketh himself rich, yet hath nothing: there is that maketh himself poor, yet hath great riches.
Proverbs 13:8-14
8–14: The ransom of a man’s life are his riches: but the poor heareth not…
Proverbs 13:8–14 opens with “The ransom of a man’s life are his riches: but the poor heareth not rebuke.” and reaches “The law of the wise is a fountain of life, to depart from the snares of death.” by its final verse. That movement develops the focus on Proverbs 13 develops its own movement around soul, good, life, righteous, wicked, with particular weight carried by life, cometh, advised.
Context that brings the passage to life
“The ransom of a man’s life are his riches: but the poor heareth not rebuke.” The line’s distinctive content terms include heareth, life, man’s. Its relationship to verses 9 shows what work it does in this passage.
Proverbs 13:8-14
King James Version8The ransom of a man’s life are his riches: but the poor heareth not rebuke.
9The light of the righteous rejoiceth: but the lamp of the wicked shall be put out.
10Only by pride cometh contention: but with the well advised is wisdom.
11Wealth gotten by vanity shall be diminished: but he that gathereth by labour shall increase.
12Hope deferred maketh the heart sick: but when the desire cometh, it is a tree of life.
13Whoso despiseth the word shall be destroyed: but he that feareth the commandment shall be rewarded.
14The law of the wise is a fountain of life, to depart from the snares of death.
Proverbs 13:15-21
15–21: Good understanding giveth favour: but the way of transgressors is hard.
Proverbs 13:15–21 opens with “Good understanding giveth favour: but the way of transgressors is hard.” and reaches “Evil pursueth sinners: but to the righteous good shall be repayed.” by its final verse. That movement develops the focus on Proverbs 13 develops its own movement around soul, good, life, righteous, wicked, with particular weight carried by evil, fools, good.
Context that brings the passage to life
“Good understanding giveth favour: but the way of transgressors is hard.” Naming Good keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.
Proverbs 13:15-21
King James Version15Good understanding giveth favour: but the way of transgressors is hard.
16Every prudent man dealeth with knowledge: but a fool layeth open his folly.
17A wicked messenger falleth into mischief: but a faithful ambassador is health.
18Poverty and shame shall be to him that refuseth instruction: but he that regardeth reproof shall be honoured.
19The desire accomplished is sweet to the soul: but it is abomination to fools to depart from evil.
20He that walketh with wise men shall be wise: but a companion of fools shall be destroyed.
21Evil pursueth sinners: but to the righteous good shall be repayed.
Proverbs 13:22-25
22–25: A good man leaveth an inheritance to his children’s children: and the…
Proverbs 13:22–25 opens with “A good man leaveth an inheritance to his children’s children: and the wealth of the sinner is…” and reaches “The righteous eateth to the satisfying of his soul: but the belly of the wicked shall want.” by its final verse. That movement develops the focus on Proverbs 13 develops its own movement around soul, good, life, righteous, wicked, with particular weight carried by want, belly, betimes.
Proverbs 13:22-25
King James Version22A good man leaveth an inheritance to his children’s children: and the wealth of the sinner is laid up for the just.
23Much food is in the tillage of the poor: but there is that is destroyed for want of judgment.
24He that spareth his rod hateth his son: but he that loveth him chasteneth him betimes.
25The righteous eateth to the satisfying of his soul: but the belly of the wicked shall want.
Details worth noticing
The opening image
Proverbs 13:1 begins with “A wise son heareth his father’s instruction: but a scorner heareth not rebuke.”
Where the chapter turns
Proverbs 13:13 forms a natural hinge: “Whoso despiseth the word shall be destroyed: but he that feareth the commandment shall be rewarded.”
The final note
Proverbs 13:25 leaves the reader with “The righteous eateth to the satisfying of his soul: but the belly of the wicked shall want.”
A word trail through the chapter
The words soul, good, life, righteous, wicked, wise help reveal the chapter’s repeated concerns.
How does Abram pursue peace?
He names their kinship and offers a practical separation without insisting on first choice.
What can Lot see that Abram cannot yet possess?
Lot sees fertile land; Abram receives a promise of land and descendants still to come.
KJV words made clear
- hath
- has
Text first
Where readers differ
The chapter summary begins with what the passage says and how its parts fit together. It does not assume one denomination has already settled every question. Where a conclusion depends on a tradition, literary theory, or historical reconstruction, that dependence is named openly.
The KJV text is presented first. Interpretive conclusions are labeled, and differences are introduced only when they help a reader understand why serious communities do not always reach the same answer.
Comparative interpretive notes for this chapter are in preparation. Until reviewed notes are ready, this page separates the KJV text from summary and application without claiming that serious readers agree on every question.