Old Testament Commentary - Proverbs 13

by Don R. Hender

Scriptural Text [& Editorial]	Commentary & Explanation	Footnotes ~ References ~ JST
CHAPTER 13 The way of the transgressor is hard—Evil pursueth sinners—He that spareth his rod hateth his son.
1 A WISE son heareth his father's instruction: but a scorner heareth not rebuke. 2 A man shall eat good by the fruit of his mouth: but the soul of the transgressors shall eat violence. 3 He that keepeth his ^amouth keepeth his life: but he that openeth wide his ^blips shall have destruction.		3^a TG Silence ^b TG Gossip
4 The soul of the ^asluggard desireth, and hath nothing: but the soul of the diligent shall be made fat. 5 A righteous man ^ahateth lying: but a wicked man is loathsome, and cometh to shame. 6 ^aRighteousness keepeth him that is upright in the way: but wickedness overthroweth the sinner^a.	6^a wickedness overthroweth the sinner The life style of wickedness is not self-sustaining. Because its very processes are at odds with the eternal laws of the light of truth there will always be an end and a collapse of it. It is self-destructive behavior. You cannot live contrary to the ways of life which is rigtheousness according to the eternal regulations of eternity. Whether sooner in this mortality or later after death, he who is not in accord with the eternal light of truth will find his wickedness destroyed round about himself. And all will find and come to realize that God has given us his commandments for our benefit, for they are the rules and laws by which all must live by in the eternal kingdoms of glory to come.	4^a TG Apathy; TG Laziness 5^a TG Hate 6^a Prov. 11:5 (3-6); D&C 133:44
7 There is that maketh himself ^arich, yet hath nothing: there is that maketh himself poor, yet hath great ^briches. 8 The ransom of a man's life are his riches: but the poor heareth not rebuke. 9 The light of the righteous rejoiceth: but the ^alamp of the wicked shall be put out.		7^a Prov. 11:24; Matt. 16:26 ^b D&C 6:7 9^a Job 18:5; Prov. 24:20
10 Only by ^apride cometh ^bcontention: but with the well advised is wisdom. 11 ^aWealth gotten by ^bvanity shall be diminished: but he that gathereth by ^clabour shall increase. 12 Hope deferred maketh the heart sick: but when the desire cometh, it is a tree of life.		10^a Prov. 28:25 ^b TG Contention 11^a Hel. 13:19 ^b TG Reward ^c TG Industry; TG Labor
13 Whoso ^adespiseth the word shall be destroyed: but he that feareth the commandment shall be ^brewarded. 14 The law of the wise is a ^afountain of life, to depart from the snares of death. 15 Good understanding giveth favour: but the way of transgressors is hard.		13^a Prov. 19:16; Morm. 9:26 ^b TG Reward 14^a Prov. 10:11; Moro. 7:11
16 Every ^aprudent man dealeth with knowledge: but a fool layeth open his folly. 17 A wicked messenger falleth into mischief: but a faithful ambassador is health. 18 Poverty and ^ashame shall be to him that refuseth ^binstruction: but he that regardeth ^creproof shall be honoured.		16^a TG Prudence 18^a TG Shame ^b Prov. 15:5 ^c D&C 95:1; D&C 121:43
19 The desire accomplished is sweet to the soul: but it is abomination to fools to depart from evil. 20 He that walketh with wise men shall be wise: but a companion of fools shall be destroyed. 21 ^aEvil pursueth sinners: but to the righteous good shall be repayed.		21^a Ps. 32:10
22 A good man leaveth an inheritance to his children's children: and the wealth of the sinner is laid up for the ^ajust. 23 Much food is in the tillage of the poor: but there is that is destroyed for want of judgment.		22^a Eccl. 2:26
24 He that spareth his ^arod hateth his son: but he that loveth him ^bchasteneth him betimes. 25 The righteous eateth to the ^asatisfying of his soul: but the belly of the wicked shall want.		24^a Prov. 29:15 ^b Mosiah 4:14; D&C 68:28; TG Chastening TG Family, Children, Responsibility toward 25^a Ps. 34:10; 2 Ne. 9:51 (50-51);