13:13

This proverb contrasts a person who refuses to do what he is told with a person who obeys.

13a
He who despises instruction will pay the penalty,

13b but the one who respects a command will be rewarded.

The parallel parts in bold print are similar in meaning. But “a command” has a more specific and more forceful meaning than “instruction.”

13:13a

He who despises: The word despises means to scorn, reject, or consider to be worthless See the note on 1:7b.

instruction: The word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as instruction is literally “a word.” This probably refers to advice or instruction in general. But some scholars think that it refers specifically to teaching or advice from God in the Scriptures. It is recommended that you use the more general meaning if possible. If that is not possible, then you may indicate this more specific meaning. For example:

⌊God’s⌋ words (God’s Word)
-or-
God’s teaching (Contemporary English Version)

will pay the penalty: There are two ways to interpret the word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as will pay the penalty :

(1) The word means “to cause (oneself) destruction.” If a person refuses to obey instruction, the result will be trouble or destruction for himself. For example:

Those who despise the word bring destruction on themselves (New Revised Standard Version)
-or-
To despise a word of advice is to ask for trouble (Revised English Bible)

(2) The word means “to be pledged to pay the debt/penalty.” In this context, it refers to a person who has an obligation to obey instruction. If he does not do so, he will have to pay the consequences, just like a person who fails to pay a loan obligation. For example:

Those who reject what they are taught will pay for it (New Century Version)

The Display follows interpretation (1), but you may follow either interpretation. They are both well supported by versions and scholars, and the difference between them is slight. In this context, they both describe the appropriate punishment or destruction that results from scorning instruction.

13:13b

but the one who respects a command: The word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as respects is literally “fears” (see the note on 10:27a). Here the meaning involves respect and obedience. In some languages, it is not natural to speak of “respecting” a command. If that is true in your language, another way to translate this phrase is:

but those who obey what they are told (New Century Version)

a command: The phrase that the Berean Standard Bible translates as a command is more literally “the commandment.” Many English versions translate it that way. This term should be translated in a general way if possible, like the word “instruction” in 13:13a. If you need to be specific about the source of the command or “commandment” in your language, then you may specify that it is from God. For example:

⌊God’s⌋ commands (God’s Word)
-or-
God’s instruction (The Voice)

will be rewarded: The word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as will be rewarded is the same word that is used in 11:31a, where the Berean Standard Bible translates it as “receive their due” (see the note there). It means to be repaid or to receive what is deserved for one’s actions. In this context, it is clearly used in a positive sense. Most English versions translate it as “rewarded.” A translation such as “you are safe” (Good News Translation) is not recommended, because the rewards that a person receives for obeying a command are not limited to safety.

General Comment on 13:13a–b

In some languages, it may be more natural to reorder the parallel words “instruction” and “command” so that they both occur in one line. See 13:13a–b (combined/reordered) in the Display.

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