1 A soft answer turneth away wrath; But a grievous word stirreth up anger.

A gentle answer turns away anger, but a sharp word causes anger.

2 T he tongue of the wise uttereth knowledge aright; But the mouth of fools poureth out folly.

The tongue of the wise uses much learning in a good way, but the mouth of fools speaks in a foolish way.

3 T he eyes of Jehovah are in every place, Keeping watch upon the evil and the good.

The eyes of the Lord are in every place, watching the bad and the good.

4 A gentle tongue is a tree of life; But perverseness therein is a breaking of the spirit.

A gentle tongue is a tree of life, but a sinful tongue crushes the spirit.

5 A fool despiseth his father's correction; But he that regardeth reproof getteth prudence.

A fool turns away from the strong teaching of his father, but he who remembers the strong words spoken to him is wise.

6 I n the house of the righteous is much treasure; But in the revenues of the wicked is trouble.

Great riches are in the house of those who are right with God, but trouble is what the sinful will receive.

7 T he lips of the wise disperse knowledge; But the heart of the foolish doeth not so.

The lips of the wise spread much learning, but the minds of fools do not.

8 T he sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination to Jehovah; But the prayer of the upright is his delight.

The Lord hates the gifts of the sinful, but the prayer of the faithful is His joy.

9 T he way of the wicked is an abomination to Jehovah; But he loveth him that followeth after righteousness.

The Lord hates the way of the sinful, but He loves him who follows what is right and good.

10 T here is grievous correction for him that forsaketh the way; And he that hateth reproof shall die.

He who turns from the right way will be punished. He who hates strong words spoken to him will die.

11 S heol and Abaddon are before Jehovah: How much more then the hearts of the children of men!

The world of the dead lies open before the Lord. How much more the hearts of men!

12 A scoffer loveth not to be reproved; He will not go unto the wise.

A man who laughs at the truth has no love for the one who speaks strong words to him. He will not go to the wise.

13 A glad heart maketh a cheerful countenance; But by sorrow of heart the spirit is broken.

A glad heart makes a happy face, but when the heart is sad, the spirit is broken.

14 T he heart of him that hath understanding seeketh knowledge; But the mouth of fools feedeth on folly.

The mind of him who has understanding looks for much learning, but the mouth of fools feeds on foolish ways.

15 A ll the days of the afflicted are evil; But he that is of a cheerful heart hath a continual feast.

All the days of the suffering are hard, but a glad heart has a special supper all the time.

16 B etter is little, with the fear of Jehovah, Than great treasure and trouble therewith.

A little with the fear of the Lord is better than great riches with trouble.

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

A dish of vegetables with love is better than eating the best meat with hate.

18 A wrathful man stirreth up contention; But he that is slow to anger appeaseth strife.

A man with a bad temper starts fights, but he who is slow to anger quiets fighting.

19 T he way of the sluggard is as a hedge of thorns; But the path of the upright is made a highway.

The path of the lazy man is grown over with thorns, but the path of the faithful is a good road.

20 A wise son maketh a glad father; But a foolish man despiseth his mother.

A wise son makes a father glad, but a foolish man hates his mother.

21 F olly is joy to him that is void of wisdom; But a man of understanding maketh straight his going.

A foolish way is joy to him who has no wisdom, but a man of understanding walks straight.

22 W here there is no counsel, purposes are disappointed; But in the multitude of counsellors they are established.

Plans go wrong without talking together, but they will go well when many wise men talk about what to do.

23 A man hath joy in the answer of his mouth; And a word in due season, how good is it!

To give a good answer is a joy to a man, and how pleasing is a word given at the right time!

24 T o the wise the way of life goeth upward, That he may depart from Sheol beneath.

The path of life leads up for the wise, so he may keep away from hell below.

25 J ehovah will root up the house of the proud; But he will establish the border of the widow.

The Lord will tear down the house of the proud, but He will make a place for the woman whose husband has died.

26 E vil devices are an abomination to Jehovah; But pleasant words are pure.

The Lord hates the plans of the sinful, but the words of the pure are pleasing to Him.

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

He who gets things by doing wrong brings trouble to his family, but he who will not be paid in secret for wrong-doing will live.

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

The mind of the one who is right with God thinks about how to answer, but the mouth of the sinful pours out sinful things.

29 J ehovah is far from the wicked; But he heareth the prayer of the righteous.

The Lord is far from the sinful, but He hears the prayer of those who are right with Him.

30 T he light of the eyes rejoiceth the heart; And good tidings make the bones fat.

The light of the eyes makes the heart glad. Good news puts fat on the bones.

31 T he ear that hearkeneth to the reproof of life Shall abide among the wise.

He whose ear listens to careful words spoken will live among the wise.

32 H e that refuseth correction despiseth his own soul; But he that hearkeneth to reproof getteth understanding.

He who does not listen to strong teaching hates himself, but he who listens when strong words are spoken gets understanding.

33 T he fear of Jehovah is the instruction of wisdom; And before honor goeth humility.

The fear of the Lord is the teaching for wisdom, and having no pride comes before honor.