1 A wise son heeds his father’s instruction, but a mocker does not respond to rebukes.

2-3 From the fruit of their lips people enjoy good things, but the unfaithful have an appetite for violence. Those who guard their lips preserve their lives, but those who speak rashly will come to ruin.

4-6 A sluggard’s appetite is never filled, but the desires of the diligent are fully satisfied. The righteous hate what is false, but the wicked make themselves obnoxious and bring shame on themselves. Righteousness guards the person of integrity, but wickedness overthrows the sinner.

7-9 One person pretends to be rich, yet has nothing; another pretends to be poor, yet has great wealth. A person’s riches may ransom their life, but the poor cannot respond to threatening rebukes. 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. Proverbs 13:1-10 New International Version (English Standard Version link)

What do verses 1 & 10 have in common?

They both speak of the wisdom gained by those who were willing to take in good advice along the way, even when that advice was criticism or a rebuke. That process ought to have begun even when they were small if they were blessed to have had God fearing parents. What two words in those verses describe the attitude of those who refused the good advice they were given?

Vs 10 mentions pride and vs 1 speaks of mocking. It's a description of what our hearts can be like when God's wisdom is rejected. So what do vs 2-3 tell us is a likely outcome of those who grow in wisdom and those who stubbornly insist on their own way of doing things?

People who've developed personal discipline in life through good advice and correction along the way will guard how they speak to others, and not let anger and sarcasm lead to rash and hurtful words. Their conversations lead to good results - rash words lead to ruin. Verses 4-6 show that we are back to the difference between righteousness and wickedness. Many people scoff at those who they regard as 'goody-goody'. But what do vs 4-6 say about the reputations of the righteous and the wicked?

Evidently the word translated as 'obnoxious' meant a stench. Wickedness stinks and that's why a righteous persons want nothing to do with it. We see too that sin ultimately never satisfies the soul. The appetite for doing wrong is never quenched. But those who put their trust in God can say as the writer of Psalm 17 said. “Save me Lord from the men of the world whose portion is in this life . But as for me, I shall see your face in righteousness. When I awake, I shall be satisfied with your likeness.”

The bit about 'pretended' wealth or poverty in vs 7-9 is difficult, but the verses show again that what people see on the outside is not always a true reflection of the inside. They also highlight the security that wise living can bring. Those who use even money wisely are more likely to be able to afford a good lawyer if ever needed than people who pretended to have an abundance. Hard work can bring it’s own rewards in this life. Being a sluggard leaves one vulnerable.

Someone reading this may say 'I never had the blessing of God fearing parents so I didn’t get the teaching and discipline I needed when I was growing up. The truth is that none of us ever had perfect parents. But Jesus Christ invites all who would learn true wisdom to come to Him. He said: “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls.” (Matthew 11:28-29)  We can never be too old to come to Christ and learn the wisdom that He brings to our life.