1 A soft answer turneth away wrath: but grievous words stir up anger. 2 The tongue of the wise useth knowledge aright: but the mouth of fools poureth out foolishness. 3 The eyes of the LORD are in every place, beholding the evil and the good. 4 A wholesome tongue is a tree of life: but perverseness therein is a breach in the spirit. 5 A fool despiseth his father’s instruction: but he that regardeth reproof is prudent. 6 In the house of the righteous is much treasure: but in the revenues of the wicked is trouble. 7 The lips of the wise disperse knowledge: but the heart of the foolish doeth not so. 8 The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination to the LORD: but the prayer of the upright is his delight. 9 The way of the wicked is an abomination unto the LORD: but he loveth him that followeth after righteousness. 10 Correction is grievous unto him that forsaketh the way: and he that hateth reproof shall die. 11 Hell and destruction are before the LORD: how much more then the hearts of the children of men? 12 A scorner loveth not one that reproveth him: neither will he go unto the wise. 13 A merry heart maketh a cheerful countenance: but by sorrow of the heart the spirit is broken. 14 The heart of him that hath understanding seeketh knowledge: but the mouth of fools feedeth on foolishness. 15 All the days of the afflicted are evil: but he that is of a merry heart hath a continual feast.

16 Better is little with the fear of the LORD than great treasure and trouble therewith. 17 Better is a dinner of herbs where love is, than a stalled ox and hatred therewith. 18 A wrathful man stirreth up strife: but he that is slow to anger appeaseth strife. 19 The way of the slothful man is as an hedge of thorns: but the way of the righteous is made plain. 20 A wise son maketh a glad father: but a foolish man despiseth his mother. 21 Folly is joy to him that is destitute of wisdom: but a man of understanding walketh uprightly. 22 Without counsel purposes are disappointed: but in the multitude of counsellors they are established. 23 A man hath joy by the answer of his mouth: and a word spoken in due season, how good is it! 24 The way of life is above to the wise, that he may depart from hell beneath. 25 The LORD will destroy the house of the proud: but he will establish the border of the widow. 26 The thoughts of the wicked are an abomination to the LORD: but the words of the pure are pleasant words. 27 He that is greedy of gain troubleth his own house; but he that hateth gifts shall live. 28 The heart of the righteous studieth to answer: but the mouth of the wicked poureth out evil things. 29 The LORD is far from the wicked: but he heareth the prayer of the righteous. 30 The light of the eyes rejoiceth the heart: and a good report maketh the bones fat. 31 The ear that heareth the reproof of life abideth among the wise. 32 He that refuseth instruction despiseth his own soul: but he that heareth reproof getteth understanding. 33 The fear of the LORD is the instruction of wisdom; and before honour is humility.

1 A soft answer turneth away wrath;

But a grievous word stirreth up anger.

2 The tongue of the wise uttereth knowledge aright;

But the mouth of fools poureth out folly.

3 The eyes of Jehovah are in every place,

Keeping watch upon the evil and the good.

4 A gentle tongue is a tree of life;

But perverseness therein is a breaking of the spirit.

5 A fool despiseth his father’s correction;

But he that regardeth reproof getteth prudence.

6 In the house of the righteous is much treasure;

But in the revenues of the wicked is trouble.

7 The lips of the wise disperse knowledge;

But the heart of the foolish doeth not so.

8 The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination to Jehovah;

But the prayer of the upright is his delight.

9 The way of the wicked is an abomination to Jehovah;

But he loveth him that followeth after righteousness.

10 There is grievous correction for him that forsaketh the way;

And he that hateth reproof shall die.

11 Sheol and Abaddon are before Jehovah;

How much more then the hearts of the children of men!

12 A scoffer loveth not to be reproved;

He will not go unto the wise.

13 A glad heart maketh a cheerful countenance;

But by sorrow of heart the spirit is broken.

14 The heart of him that hath understanding seeketh knowledge;

But the mouth of fools feedeth on folly.

15 All the days of the afflicted are evil;

But he that is of a cheerful heart hath a continual feast.

16 Better is little, with the fear of Jehovah,

Than great treasure and trouble therewith.

17 Better is a dinner of herbs, where love is,

Than a stalled ox and hatred therewith.

18 A wrathful man stirreth up contention;

But he that is slow to anger appeaseth strife.

19 The way of the sluggard is as a hedge of thorns;

But the path of the upright is made a highway.

20 A wise son maketh a glad father;

But a foolish man despiseth his mother.

21 Folly is joy to him that is void of wisdom;

But a man of understanding maketh straight his going.

22 Where there is no counsel, purposes are disappointed;

But in the multitude of counsellors they are established.

23 A man hath joy in the answer of his mouth;

And a word in due season, how good is it!

24 To the wise the way of life goeth upward,

That he may depart from Sheol beneath.

25 Jehovah will root up the house of the proud;

But he will establish the border of the widow.

26 Evil devices are an abomination to Jehovah;

But pleasant words are pure.

27 He that is greedy of gain troubleth his own house;

But he that hateth bribes shall live.

28 The heart of the righteous studieth to answer;

But the mouth of the wicked poureth out evil things.

29 Jehovah is far from the wicked;

But he heareth the prayer of the righteous.

30 The light of the eyes rejoiceth the heart;

And good tidings make the bones fat.

31 The ear that hearkeneth to the reproof of life

Shall abide among the wise.

32 He that refuseth correction despiseth his own soul;

But he that hearkeneth to reproof getteth understanding.

33 The fear of Jehovah is the instruction of wisdom;

And before honor goeth humility.