Wisdom is found in the words ¹  of the discerning person, ²  but the one who lacks wisdom ³  will be disciplined. ⁴ 

biblegateway Pro 10:13

On the lips of the discerning, wisdom is found, But a rod is for the back of him who lacks understanding.

Wisdom is found on the lips of the discerning, but a rod is for the back of the one who lacks sense.

Wisdom is found on the lips of a person who has understanding, but a rod is for the back of one without sense.

biblegateway Pro 10:13

Wisdom is found on the lips of the discerning, but a rod is for the back of him who lacks judgment.

On the lips of him who has understanding, wisdom is found, but a rod is for the back of him who lacks sense.

bibleoremus Pro 10:13

On the lips of one who has understanding wisdom is found, but a rod is for the back of one who lacks sense.

The possessor of understanding has wisdom on his lips; a rod is in store for the back of the fool.

biblegateway Pro 10:13

Wisdom is found on the lips of him who has understanding, But a rod is for the back of him who is devoid of understanding.

In the lips of him that hath understanding wisdom is found: but a rod [is] for the back of him that is void of understanding.

biblegateway Pro 10:13

Wisdom is found in the words ¹  of the discerning person, ²  but the one who lacks wisdom ³  will be disciplined. ⁴ 

¹ tn Heb “on the lips” (so NAB, NASB, NRSV). The term “lips” is a metonymy of cause for the words spoken by the lips.

² tn Heb “the one who is discerning.” The term “discerning” describes someone who is critically perceptive and has understanding. He can be relied on to say things that are wise.

³ tn Heb “the one lacking of heart.” The noun לֵב (lev, “heart”) functions as a genitive of specification: “lacking in respect to heart.” The term לֵב functions in a figurative sense (metonymy of association) for wisdom because the heart is viewed as the seat of common sense (BDB 524 s.v. 3.a).

⁴ tn Heb “a rod is for the back of the one lacking heart.” The term שֵׁבֶט (shevet, “rod”) functions figuratively: synecdoche of specific (= rod of discipline) for general (= discipline in general). The term גֵו (gev, “back”) is a synecdoche of part (= back) for the whole (= person as a whole). The back is emphasized because it was the object of physical corporeal discipline. This proverb is not limited in its application to physical corporeal punishment because the consequences of foolishness may come in many forms, physical corporeal discipline being only one form.