FocusWise and foolish conduct
Connection to the wholeThe shorter sayings teach through contrasts, comparisons, and observations across the everyday life of the community.
interpretation Proverbs 13:15
KJVGood understanding giveth favour: but the way of transgressors is hard.
Read it in context
A Father’s Discipline
Start reading at Proverbs 13:1 (Proverbs 13:1 to Proverbs 13:25).
An editorial reading unit, not a claim that the surrounding context stops here. Book background below applies to the shared passage; individual verses may need more specific explanation.
The shorter sayings teach through contrasts, comparisons, and observations across the everyday life of the community.
- 13:1 A wise son heareth his father's instruction: but a scorner heareth not rebuke.
- 13:2 A man shall eat good by the fruit of his mouth: but the soul of the transgressors shall eat violence.
- 13:3 He that keepeth his mouth keepeth his life: but he that openeth wide his lips shall have destruction.
- 13:4 The soul of the sluggard desireth, and hath nothing: but the soul of the diligent shall be made fat.
- 13:5 A righteous man hateth lying: but a wicked man is loathsome, and cometh to shame.
- 13:6 Righteousness keepeth him that is upright in the way: but wickedness overthroweth the sinner.
- 13:7 There is that maketh himself rich, yet hath nothing: there is that maketh himself poor, yet hath great riches.
- 13:8 The ransom of a man's life are his riches: but the poor heareth not rebuke.
- 13:9 The light of the righteous rejoiceth: but the lamp of the wicked shall be put out.
- 13:10 Only by pride cometh contention: but with the well advised is wisdom.
- 13:11 Wealth gotten by vanity shall be diminished: but he that gathereth by labour shall increase.
- 13:12 Hope deferred maketh the heart sick: but when the desire cometh, it is a tree of life.
- 13:13 Whoso despiseth the word shall be destroyed: but he that feareth the commandment shall be rewarded.
- 13:14 The law of the wise is a fountain of life, to depart from the snares of death.
- 13:15 Good understanding giveth favour: but the way of transgressors is hard.
- 13:16 Every prudent man dealeth with knowledge: but a fool layeth open his folly.
- 13:17 A wicked messenger falleth into mischief: but a faithful ambassador is health.
- 13:18 Poverty and shame shall be to him that refuseth instruction: but he that regardeth reproof shall be honoured.
- 13:19 The desire accomplished is sweet to the soul: but it is abomination to fools to depart from evil.
- 13:20 He that walketh with wise men shall be wise: but a companion of fools shall be destroyed.
- 13:21 Evil pursueth sinners: but to the righteous good shall be repayed.
- 13:22 A good man leaveth an inheritance to his children's children: and the wealth of the sinner is laid up for the just.
- 13:23 Much food is in the tillage of the poor: but there is that is destroyed for want of judgment.
- 13:24 He that spareth his rod hateth his son: but he that loveth him chasteneth him betimes.
- 13:25 The righteous eateth to the satisfying of his soul: but the belly of the wicked shall want.
Who
- Who wrote the book? Solomon is the principal named contributor, with additional sayings of the wise, Agur, and King Lemuel's mother's instruction. Hezekiah's men are credited with copying a collection of Solomon's proverbs. Biblical references: Proverbs 1:1; Proverbs 22:17; Proverbs 25:1; Proverbs 30:1; Proverbs 31:1. stated in the text
- Who was present or being addressed in this passage? In the surrounding chapter context (Proverbs 10:1–21:31): The sayings instruct learners in Israel's wisdom tradition. The righteous, wicked, wise, foolish, rulers, and household members are examples or subjects of the sayings, not necessarily the immediate people being addressed. stated in the text
- Who was the book written to? Learners seeking wisdom, especially the young and inexperienced, as well as wise readers seeking further understanding. The repeated son-address presents parental or teacherly instruction. Biblical references: Proverbs 1:4; Proverbs 1:5; Proverbs 1:8. stated in the text
What
- What is the topic of this reading unit? A Father’s Discipline. Read Proverbs 13:1 through Proverbs 13:25 as a connected unit. interpretation
- How does it contribute to the book? The shorter sayings teach through contrasts, comparisons, and observations across the everyday life of the community. interpretation
When
- When are the events or message set? The book identifies more than one collection, including proverbs copied by Hezekiah's men. It does not give a date for the origin of every individual saying. book background
Where
- What is the book’s geographic setting? The instruction draws on household, workplace, city gate, court, and other everyday settings. Many sayings describe a general situation rather than one dated incident. book background
- Where does the context start? This passage sits in A Father’s Discipline (Proverbs 13:1 to Proverbs 13:25). Start reading at Proverbs 13:1. An editorial reading unit, not a claim that the surrounding context stops here. Book background below applies to the shared passage; individual verses may need more specific explanation.
How
- How does this book connect with Jesus Christ? The New Testament identifies Christ with the wisdom of God. Relating wisdom instruction to Him is a canonical connection; the personification of wisdom should not automatically be treated as a literal description of Christ's origin. See Proverbs 25:1, 1 Corinthians 1:24, 1 Corinthians 1:30. interpretation
- How should this book guide our response? Practice truthful speech, teachability, justice, diligence, and self-control. Read proverbial generalizations with their genre in view rather than as guarantees that ignore circumstance or the book's other sayings. interpretation
Cited: Proverbs 13:1, Proverbs 13:25, Proverbs 25:1, 1 Corinthians 1:24, 1 Corinthians 1:30
Who wrote it, and how we know
Solomon, with Agur and Lemuel
Named in Scripture
What Scripture saysThe book names Solomon, and also Agur and King Lemuel, and notes that Hezekiah's men copied out further proverbs.
Proverbs 1:1Proverbs 25:1Proverbs 30:1Proverbs 31:1
Early traditionTradition credits Solomon as the principal author.
What is debatedThe book itself describes later collecting, so it reached its final form after Solomon.
Related passages
- Good Prov 3:4 Prov 14:35 1 Sam 18:14-16 Luke 2:52 Acts 7:10
- but Prov 4:19 Prov 15:10 Ps 95:9-11 Jer 2:19 Rom 6:21
Cross references from CrossReferences-org (CC BY 4.0).
Macro-Structure
See how this passage fits the chapter and the book.
Macro-Structure of Proverbs 13
Proverbs identifies several collections and contributors. Its sayings teach wisdom in conduct; a general observation is not automatically an unconditional promise for every individual circumstance. Read contrasts and parallel lines together. Local headings and stanza divisions are editorial reading aids adapted from public-domain BSB headings; verse boundaries and Scripture links use the KJV. Connections describe the surrounding book movement.
Proverbs 1:1 Proverbs 10:1 Proverbs 25:1 Proverbs 30:1 Proverbs 31:1
Suggested literary divisions. Headings summarize the passage; they are not part of the biblical text.
Macro-Structure of Proverbs
Proverbs identifies several collections and contributors. Its sayings teach wisdom in conduct; a general observation is not automatically an unconditional promise for every individual circumstance. Read contrasts and parallel lines together.
Proverbs 1:1 Proverbs 10:1 Proverbs 25:1 Proverbs 30:1 Proverbs 31:1
Instruction and wisdom's call
Proverbs 1:1–9:18FocusThe fear of the LORD and the choice of a path
Connection to the wholeExtended appeals introduce the moral and relational setting in which the shorter sayings should be read.
interpretation FocusWise and foolish conduct
Connection to the wholeThe shorter sayings teach through contrasts, comparisons, and observations across the everyday life of the community.
interpretation Words of the wise
Proverbs 22:17–24:34FocusInstruction, justice, and disciplined conduct
Connection to the wholeThis collection continues the instruction through longer admonitions and observations, including further sayings of the wise.
interpretation Further proverbs of Solomon
Proverbs 25:1–29:27FocusCollected wisdom for life and rule
Connection to the wholeThe sayings identified with Hezekiah's copying activity extend the collection's instruction concerning conduct and leadership.
interpretation The words of Agur
Proverbs 30:1–33FocusHuman limits and ordered observations
Connection to the wholeAgur's words combine confession of limited understanding, prayer, and numerical sayings about the world and human conduct.
interpretation The words of Lemuel and the capable woman
Proverbs 31:1–31FocusJust rule and faithful work
Connection to the wholeThe final chapter joins instruction concerning rulers with an ordered portrait of a woman's capable and generous work.
interpretation Suggested literary divisions. Headings summarize the passage; they are not part of the biblical text.