Chapter 13
You ever met someone who treats their paycheck like it’s a game show prize? “Spend it all now! Future me can deal with it later!” Meanwhile, someone else is over there tracking expenses on a spreadsheet, meal-prepping like it’s a religion, and already planning retirement at 27.
One ends up with peace and progress… the other ends up asking to borrow gas money… again.
I will be honest, I started out life as the first guy and lived with him way too long before this chapter finally took hold.
Proverbs 13 highlights the difference between the two: the one who thinks ahead, practices discipline, and listens to wise counsel; and the one who lives for the moment, ignores advice, and wonders why everything keeps falling apart.
This chapter hits on all kinds of everyday stuff: money, work ethic, parenting, friendships, and the power of your words. But the deeper message is this: your choices today shape your future. Wisdom adds up over time and so does foolishness.
The world says, “Follow your feelings.” Proverbs says, “Follow wisdom.” Big difference.
Jesus echoed the same truth. He taught that a wise person builds their life on a solid foundation not quick fixes, not shortcuts, and definitely not emotional impulse buys. When storms come (and they always do), it’s the steady, faithful, intentional life that stands strong.
So Proverbs 13 isn’t just a checklist of good advice. It’s an invitation to live on purpose. To make daily decisions with tomorrow in mind. To build something, not just survive.
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.
16 All who are prudent act with 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.
