Key Verse Spotlight
Proverbs 10:13 - Meaning and Application
Understand how this verse speaks to what you're facing and how to apply it today
Translation: World English Bible — Catholic Edition
" Wisdom is found on the lips of him who has discernment, but a rod is for the back of him who is void of understanding. "
Proverbs 10:13
Verse in Context
Understanding the surrounding verses prevents misinterpretation:
11 The mouth of the righteous is a spring of life, but violence covers the mouth of the wicked.
12 Hatred stirs up strife, but love covers all wrongs.
13 Wisdom is found on the lips of him who has discernment, but a rod is for the back of him who is void of understanding.
14 Wise men lay up knowledge, but the mouth of the foolish is near ruin.
15 The rich man’s wealth is his strong city. The destruction of the poor is their poverty.
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Observe, wisdom and grace are a good person’s honor. “He who has understanding,” that is, the good understanding shown by those who obey God’s commands, shows wisdom on his lips. This means wisdom can be seen in what he says, and that shows he has a good store of it inside. He passes that wisdom on for the good of others. It is an honor to have wisdom, but it is an even greater honor to help make others wise.
Folly and sin are the shame of wicked people. “A rod is for the back of him who lacks understanding,” that is, the person who lacks a heart for wisdom. He brings punishment on himself by his own conscience, by the sharp words of others, by the judgment of authorities, and by God’s just judgments. Those who keep going in foolish and willful sin are making rods for themselves, and the marks of them will stay as lasting shame.
From This Chapter
Proverbs 10:1
"The proverbs of Solomon. A wise son makes a glad father; but a foolish son brings grief to his mother."
Proverbs 10:2
"Treasures of wickedness profit nothing, but righteousness delivers from death."
Proverbs 10:3
"The LORD will not allow the soul of the righteous to go hungry, but he thrusts away the desire of the wicked."
Proverbs 10:4
"He becomes poor who works with a lazy hand, but the hand of the diligent brings wealth."
Proverbs 10:5
"He who gathers in summer is a wise son, but he who sleeps during the harvest is a son who causes shame."
Proverbs 10:6
"Blessings are on the head of the righteous, but violence covers the mouth of the wicked."
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