Proverbs 13:5

A righteous man hateth lying: but a wicked man is loathsome, and cometh to shame.

Proverbs 13:5 (KJV)

Context

Proverbs is a book of wisdom literature in the Bible, written mostly by King Solomon. It gives practical guidance for living a righteous and wise life. This verse sets the righteous person against the wicked person, focusing on their attitude toward lying and its outcome.

Meaning

The righteous person does not merely avoid lying; he hates it. This hatred is active and deep, because lying opposes God’s holy character. Righteousness means being morally upright and following God’s standards, and truthfulness is a vital part of that. The wicked person, however, is called “loathsome” and comes to shame. The Hebrew word behind “loathsome” carries a sense of disgust and repulsiveness. His dishonesty makes him offensive, and his end is disgrace. This contrast is sharp and deliberate, showing that truth and honor belong together, while falsehood leads to ruin.

Biblical connections

Proverbs often links honesty with honor and deceit with ruin. This verse echoes that pattern: the truthful are preserved, while the false are exposed. The contrast is not only about outward behavior but about the heart’s condition before God. A heart aligned with God’s truth naturally hates lying in all its forms.

Application

Believers are called to examine their own words and motives. Hating lying includes rejecting half-truths, deception, and hypocrisy, not just obvious falsehoods. In daily life, this means speaking truthfully in work, family, and friendships, even when honesty is costly. It also means cultivating a heart that delights in truth, not merely avoiding punishment.

Reflection

Wickedness may seem to succeed for a time, but shame is its certain reward. Righteousness, grounded in truth, leads to honor before God and others. This proverb invites each reader to ask: do I hate lying as God does, and does my life reflect His truth?