Key Verse Spotlight
Proverbs 13:23 - 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
" An abundance of food is in poor people’s fields, but injustice sweeps it away. "
Proverbs 13:23
Verse in Context
Understanding the surrounding verses prevents misinterpretation:
21 Misfortune pursues sinners, but prosperity rewards the righteous.
22 A good man leaves an inheritance to his children’s children, but the wealth of the sinner is stored for the righteous.
23 An abundance of food is in poor people’s fields, but injustice sweeps it away.
24 One who spares the rod hates his son, but one who loves him is careful to discipline him.
25 The righteous one eats to the satisfying of his soul, but the belly of the wicked goes hungry.
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Here we see two things.
A small estate can be made to yield much by hard work and careful use. “Much food is in the tillage of the poor” means that poor farmers, though they have little, can live well if they labor over what they have and manage it wisely. Many people excuse laziness by saying they have only a small amount to work with. But the smaller the field, the more skill and effort the owner should give it, and it can still bring a good return. Let a man dig, and he does not need to beg.
We also see how a large estate can be ruined by bad judgment. Some people have much, but it is destroyed and brought to nothing because they do not manage it wisely. They build or buy more than they should, keep company, tables, or servants beyond their means, and let what they own fall into decay. Some even borrow money or guarantee others’ debts, and in the end their estates sink and their families are brought low, all because they lacked prudence.
From This Chapter
Proverbs 13:1
"A wise son listens to his father’s instruction, but a scoffer doesn’t listen to rebuke."
Proverbs 13:2
"By the fruit of his lips, a man enjoys good things, but the unfaithful crave violence."
Proverbs 13:3
"He who guards his mouth guards his soul. One who opens wide his lips comes to ruin."
Proverbs 13:4
"The soul of the sluggard desires, and has nothing, but the desire of the diligent shall be fully satisfied."
Proverbs 13:5
"A righteous man hates lies, but a wicked man brings shame and disgrace."
Proverbs 13:6
"Righteousness guards the way of integrity, but wickedness overthrows the sinner."
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