1 A soft answer turneth away wrath: but grievous words stir up anger.

A soft answer turneth back fury, And a grievous word raiseth up anger.

2 T he tongue of the wise useth knowledge aright: but the mouth of fools poureth out foolishness.

The tongue of the wise maketh knowledge good, And the mouth of fools uttereth folly.

3 T he eyes of the Lord are in every place, beholding the evil and the good.

In every place are the eyes of Jehovah, Watching the evil and the good.

4 A wholesome tongue is a tree of life: but perverseness therein is a breach in the spirit.

A healed tongue a tree of life, And perverseness in it -- a breach in the spirit.

5 A fool despiseth his father’s instruction: but he that regardeth reproof is prudent.

A fool despiseth the instruction of his father, And whoso is regarding reproof is prudent.

6 I n the house of the righteous is much treasure: but in the revenues of the wicked is trouble.

the house of the righteous abundant strength, And in the increase of the wicked -- trouble.

7 T he lips of the wise disperse knowledge: but the heart of the foolish doeth not so.

The lips of the wise scatter knowledge, And the heart of fools not right.

8 T he sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination to the Lord: but the prayer of the upright is his delight.

The sacrifice of the wicked an abomination to Jehovah, And the prayer of the upright His delight.

9 T he way of the wicked is an abomination unto the Lord: but he loveth him that followeth after righteousness.

An abomination to Jehovah the way of the wicked, And whoso is pursuing righteousness He loveth.

10 C orrection is grievous unto him that forsaketh the way: and he that hateth reproof shall die.

Chastisement grievous to him who is forsaking the path, Whoso is hating reproof dieth.

11 H ell and destruction are before the Lord: how much more then the hearts of the children of men?

Sheol and destruction before Jehovah, Surely also the hearts of the sons of men.

12 A scorner loveth not one that reproveth him: neither will he go unto the wise.

A scorner loveth not his reprover, Unto the wise he goeth not.

13 A merry heart maketh a cheerful countenance: but by sorrow of the heart the spirit is broken.

A joyful heart maketh glad the face, And by grief of heart is the spirit smitten.

14 T he heart of him that hath understanding seeketh knowledge: but the mouth of fools feedeth on foolishness.

The heart of the intelligent seeketh knowledge, And the mouth of fools enjoyeth folly.

15 A ll the days of the afflicted are evil: but he that is of a merry heart hath a continual feast.

All the days of the afflicted evil, And gladness of heart a perpetual banquet.

16 B etter is little with the fear of the Lord than great treasure and trouble therewith.

Better a little with the fear of Jehovah, Than much treasure, and tumult with it.

17 B etter is a dinner of herbs where love is, than a stalled ox and hatred therewith.

Better an allowance of green herbs and love there, Than a fatted ox, and hatred with it.

18 A wrathful man stirreth up strife: but he that is slow to anger appeaseth strife.

A man of fury stirreth up contention, And the slow to anger appeaseth strife.

19 T he way of the slothful man is as an hedge of thorns: but the way of the righteous is made plain.

The way of the slothful as a hedge of briers, And the path of the upright is raised up.

20 A wise son maketh a glad father: but a foolish man despiseth his mother.

A wise son rejoiceth a father. And a foolish man is despising his mother.

21 F olly is joy to him that is destitute of wisdom: but a man of understanding walketh uprightly.

Folly is joy to one lacking heart, And a man of intelligence directeth going.

22 W ithout counsel purposes are disappointed: but in the multitude of counsellors they are established.

Without counsel the making void of purposes, And in a multitude of counsellors it is established.

23 A man hath joy by the answer of his mouth: and a word spoken in due season, how good is it!

Joy to a man in the answer of his mouth, And a word in its season -- how good!

24 T he way of life is above to the wise, that he may depart from hell beneath.

A path of life on high for the wise, To turn aside from Sheol beneath.

25 T he Lord will destroy the house of the proud: but he will establish the border of the widow.

The house of the proud Jehovah pulleth down, And He setteth up the border of the widow.

26 T he thoughts of the wicked are an abomination to the Lord: but the words of the pure are pleasant words.

An abomination to Jehovah thoughts of wickedness, And pure sayings of pleasantness.

27 H e that is greedy of gain troubleth his own house; but he that hateth gifts shall live.

A dishonest gainer is troubling his house, And whoso is hating gifts liveth.

28 T he heart of the righteous studieth to answer: but the mouth of the wicked poureth out evil things.

The heart of the righteous meditateth to answer, And the mouth of the wicked uttereth evil things.

29 T he Lord is far from the wicked: but he heareth the prayer of the righteous.

Far Jehovah from the wicked, And the prayer of the righteous He heareth.

30 T he light of the eyes rejoiceth the heart: and a good report maketh the bones fat.

The light of the eyes rejoiceth the heart, A good report maketh fat the bone.

31 T he ear that heareth the reproof of life abideth among the wise.

An ear that is hearing the reproof of life Doth lodge among the wise.

32 H e that refuseth instruction despiseth his own soul: but he that heareth reproof getteth understanding.

Whoso is refusing instruction is despising his soul, And whoso is hearing reproof Is getting understanding.

33 T he fear of the Lord is the instruction of wisdom; and before honour is humility.

The fear of Jehovah the instruction of wisdom, And before honour humility!