Proverbs 13:13

The one who despises instruction ¹  will pay the penalty, ²  but whoever esteems instruction ³  will ⁴  be rewarded. ⁵ 

2Sa 12:9,10; 2Ch 36:16; Ezr 10:3; Ps 19:11; Ps 115:13; Ps 119:165; Pr 1:25,30,31; Isa 66:2; Jer 43:2; Jer 44:16,17; Eze 20:13,16,24; Mal 3:16; Mt 5:12; Lu 16:31; Heb 10:28,29; 2Jo 1:8

¹ tn Heb “the word.” The term “word” means teaching in general; its parallel “command” indicates that it is the more forceful instruction that is meant. Both of these terms are used for scripture.

² tc The MT reads יֵחָבֶל (yekhavel, “he will pay [for it]”; cf. NAB, NIV) but the BHS editors suggest revocalizing the text to יְחֻבָּל (yÿkhubal, “he will be broken [for it]”; cf. NRSV “bring destruction on themselves”).

tn Heb “will be pledged to it.” The Niphal of I חָבַל (khaval) “to pledge” means “to be under pledge to pay the penalty” (BDB 286 s.v. Niph). Whoever despises teaching will be treated as a debtor – he will pay for it if he offends against the law.

³ tn Heb “fears a commandment”; NIV “respects a command.”

⁴ tn Heb “he” or “that one” [will be rewarded].

⁵ tc The LXX adds: “A crafty son will have no good thing, but the affairs of a wise servant will be prosperous; and his path will be directed rightly.”