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

¶ A soft answer turns away wrath, but grievous words stir 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 shall adorn wisdom, but the mouth of fools shall speak foolishness.

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

¶ The eyes of the LORD are in every place, beholding those who are evil and those who are good.

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

¶ The 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.

¶ The fool despises his father’s chastening, but he that regards reproof shall become prudent.

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

¶ In the house of the righteous is much provision, but in the fruit of the wicked is trouble.

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

¶ The lips of the wise disperse wisdom, but the heart of the foolish does not so.

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 is an abomination to the LORD, but the prayer of the upright is his delight.

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

¶ The way of the wicked is an abomination unto the LORD, but he loves him that follows after righteousness.

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

¶ Chastening is grievous unto him that forsakes the way, but he that hates reproof shall die.

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

¶ Sheol and hell are before the LORD; how much more then the hearts of men?

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

¶ The scorner does not love the one that reproves 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.

¶ A joyful heart makes a beautiful countenance, but by sorrow of the heart the spirit is abated.

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

¶ The heart of him that has understanding seeks wisdom, but the mouth of fools feeds on foolishness.

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 poor are difficult, but he that is of a good heart has a continual feast.

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

¶ Better is little with the fear of the LORD than great treasure and trouble therewith.

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

Better is a dinner of vegetables where love is than a fatted calf and hatred therewith.

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

¶ A wrathful man stirs up strife, but he that is slow to anger appeases 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 man is as a hedge of thorns, but the path of the righteous is made plain.

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

¶ The wise son makes a glad father, but the foolish man despises 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 him that is destitute of understanding, but the man who is intelligent walks uprightly.

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

¶ 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!

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

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

¶ The way of life is uphill to the wise, that he may separate himself from Sheol below.

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

¶ The LORD will destroy the house of the proud, but he will establish the inheritance 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.

¶ The thoughts of the wicked are an abomination to the LORD, but the speech of the pure is pure.

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

¶ He that is greedy of gain troubles his own house, but he that hates gifts shall live.

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 studies to answer, but the mouth of the wicked pours out evil things.

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

¶ The LORD is far from the wicked, but he hears the prayer of the righteous.

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

¶ The light of the eyes rejoices the heart, and a good report makes the bones fat.

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

¶ The ear that hears the reproof of life shall abide among the wise.

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

¶ He that refuses chastening despises his own soul, but he that hears reproof has an understanding heart.

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

¶ The fear of the LORD is the instruction of wisdom, and before honour is humility.