Proverbs 13:20

20 Walk with the wise and become wise, for a companion of fools suffers harm.

Proverbs 13:20 in Other Translations

King James Version (KJV)
20 He that walketh with wise men shall be wise: but a companion of fools shall be destroyed.
English Standard Version (ESV)
20 Whoever walks with the wise becomes wise, but the companion of fools will suffer harm.
New Living Translation (NLT)
20 Walk with the wise and become wise; associate with fools and get in trouble.
The Message Bible (MSG)
20 Become wise by walking with the wise; hang out with fools and watch your life fall to pieces.
American Standard Version (ASV)
20 Walk with wise men, and thou shalt be wise; But the companion of fools shall smart for it.
GOD'S WORD Translation (GW)
20 Whoever walks with wise people will be wise, but whoever associates with fools will suffer.
Holman Christian Standard Bible (CSB)
20 The one who walks with the wise will become wise, but a companion of fools will suffer harm.
New International Reader's Version (NIRV)
20 Anyone who walks with wise people grows wise. But a companion of foolish people suffers harm.

Proverbs 13:20 Meaning and Commentary

Proverbs 13:20

He that walketh with wise [men] shall be wise
Who is a companion of them that fear the Lord; converses frequently with them in private about spiritual and experimental things, and walks with them in public in all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord; he by those means grows wiser and wiser, gains a large stock of spiritual knowledge and experience; for this holds good both in natural and spiritual wisdom, a man of any capacity at all will improve by keeping wise company; but a companion of fools shall be destroyed;
the Vulgate Latin version renders it, "shall become like them"; be a fool as they are, and grow still more and more foolish. The Septuagint version is, "shall be known"; known by the company he keeps to be a fool also: or rather, "shall be broken" F20; ruined and destroyed, "evil communications corrupt good manners", ( 1 Corinthians 15:33 ) , and so bring to ruin and destruction.


FOOTNOTES:

F20 (ewry) "conteretur", Pagninus, Montanus, Piscator, Mercerus, Gejerus; "conquassabitur", Cocceius; "fragetur", Michaelis; "infringetur", Schultens, so Ben Melech.

Proverbs 13:20 In-Context

18 Whoever disregards discipline comes to poverty and shame, but whoever heeds correction is honored.
19 A longing fulfilled is sweet to the soul, but fools detest turning from evil.
20 Walk with the wise and become wise, for a companion of fools suffers harm.
21 Trouble pursues the sinner, but the righteous are rewarded with good things.
22 A good person leaves an inheritance for their children’s children, but a sinner’s wealth is stored up for the righteous.

Cross References 1

  • 1. 2 Chronicles 10:8; Proverbs 15:31
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