Proverbs 13:20
18 Poverty and shame come to him who ignores discipline, but whoever heeds correction is honored.
19 Desire fulfilled is sweet to the soul, but turning from evil is detestable to fools.
He who walks with the wise will become wise, but the companion of fools will be destroyed.
21 Disaster pursues sinners, but prosperity is the reward of the righteous.
22 A good man leaves an inheritance to his children’s children, but the sinner’s wealth is passed to the righteous.
Do read the surrounding verses too, because the context often says more than a single verse.
Compare
- BSB
- He who walks with the wise will become wise, but the companion of fools will be destroyed.
- KJV
- He that walketh with wise men shall be wise: but a companion of fools shall be destroyed.
- WEB
- One who walks with wise men grows wise, but a companion of fools suffers harm.
- ASV
- Walk with wise men, and thou shalt be wise; But the companion of fools shall smart for it.
- DARBY
- He that walketh with wise [men] becometh wise; but a companion of the foolish will be depraved.
- BLB
- The one walking with wise ones will become wise, and the one accompanying fools will suffer evil.
- ÅB
- Søk omgang med de vise, og du skal bli vis; men dårers venn går det ille.
- OTB
- Hold selskap med de vise og bli vis, for en følgesvenn av dårer lider skade.
- B1930
- Søk omgang med de vise, og du skal bli vis; men dårers venn går det ille.
Study notes (Tyndale)
Original text and word study
Cross references
1 Corinthians 15:33–34
Do not be deceived: “Bad company corrupts good character.”
Read in contextProverbs 15:31
He who listens to life-giving reproof will dwell among the wise.
Read in contextProverbs 9:6
Leave your folly behind, and you will live; walk in the way of understanding.”
Read in context2 Corinthians 6:14–18
Do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers. For what partnership can righteousness have with wickedness? Or what fellowship does light have with darkness?
Read in contextPsalms 119:63
I am a friend to all who fear You, and to those who keep Your precepts.
Read in contextRevelation 18:4
Then I heard another voice from heaven say: “Come out of her, My people, so that you will not share in her sins or contract any of her plagues.
Read in contextMalachi 3:16
At that time those who feared the LORD spoke with one another, and the LORD listened and heard them. So a scroll of remembrance was written before Him regarding those who feared the LORD and honored His name.
Read in contextProverbs 1:11–19
If they say, “Come along, let us lie in wait for blood, let us ambush the innocent without cause,
Read in context