WISDOM: A FOUNTAIN OF LIFE

Proverbs 13:1-25 / Keywords 13:14

The teaching of the wise is a fountain of life, turning a man from the snares of death.

 

13:1 A wise son heeds his father’s instruction,

    but a mocker does not respond to rebukes.

2 From the fruit of their lips people enjoy good things,

    but the unfaithful have an appetite for violence.

3 Those who guard their lips preserve their lives,

    but those who speak rashly will come to ruin.

4 A sluggard’s appetite is never filled,

    but the desires of the diligent are fully satisfied.

5 The righteous hate what is false,

    but the wicked make themselves a stench

    and bring shame on themselves.

6 Righteousness guards the person of integrity,

    but wickedness overthrows the sinner.

7 One person pretends to be rich, yet has nothing;

    another pretends to be poor, yet has great wealth.

8 A person’s riches may ransom their life,

    but the poor cannot respond to threatening rebukes.

9 The light of the righteous shines brightly,

    but the lamp of the wicked is snuffed out.

10 Where there is strife, there is pride,

    but wisdom is found in those who take advice.

11 Dishonest money dwindles away,

    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.

13 Whoever scorns instruction will pay for it,

    but whoever respects a command is rewarded.

14 The teaching of the wise is a fountain of life,

    turning a person from the snares of death.

15 Good judgment wins favor,

    but the way of the unfaithful leads to their destruction.[a]

16 All who are prudent act with[b] knowledge,

    but fools expose their folly.

17 A wicked messenger falls into trouble,

    but a trustworthy envoy brings healing.

18 Whoever disregards discipline comes to poverty and shame,

    but whoever heeds correction is honored.

19 A longing fulfilled is sweet to the soul,

    but fools detest turning from evil.

20 Walk with the wise and become wise,

    for a companion of fools suffers harm.

21 Trouble pursues the sinner,

    but the righteous are rewarded with good things.

22 A good person leaves an inheritance for their children’s children,

    but a sinner’s wealth is stored up for the righteous.

23 An unplowed field produces food for the poor,

    but injustice sweeps it away.

24 Whoever spares the rod hates their children,

    but the one who loves their children is careful to discipline them.

25 The righteous eat to their hearts’ content,

    but the stomach of the wicked goes hungry.

Footnotes

a. Proverbs 13:15 Septuagint and Syriac; the meaning of the Hebrew for this phrase is uncertain.

b. Proverbs 13:16 Or prudent protect themselves through

1. The impact of a person’s speech (2,3), the fruit of hard work and diligence (4,11), and how the righteous live (5-6,9,21,25) are all discussed in this chapter. Underlying all these teachings is a person’s attitude toward instruction and correction. Though we desire the positive results from the teachings of Proverbs, we are also sinful human beings. We naturally default to living according to our pride and feelings. How receptive are you to the instruction of those who are wiser than you?

 

2. 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.

 

3. 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