1 A gentle answer turns away wrath, But a harsh word stirs up anger.

2 T he tongue of the wise makes knowledge acceptable, But the mouth of fools spouts folly.

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

4 A soothing tongue is a tree of life, But perversion in it crushes the spirit.

5 A fool rejects his father’s discipline, But he who regards reproof is sensible.

6 G reat wealth is in the house of the righteous, But trouble is in the income of the wicked.

7 T he lips of the wise spread knowledge, But the hearts of fools are not so.

8 T he 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 to the Lord, But He loves one who pursues righteousness.

10 G rievous punishment is for him who forsakes the way; He who hates reproof will die.

11 S heol and Abaddon lie open before the Lord, How much more the hearts of men!

12 A scoffer does not love one who reproves him, He will not go to the wise.

13 A joyful heart makes a cheerful face, But when the heart is sad, the spirit is broken.

14 T he mind of the intelligent seeks knowledge, But the mouth of fools feeds on folly.

15 A ll the days of the afflicted are bad, But a cheerful heart has a continual feast.

16 B etter is a little with the fear of the Lord Than great treasure and turmoil with it.

17 B etter is a dish of vegetables where love is Than a fattened ox served with hatred.

18 A hot-tempered man stirs up strife, But the slow to anger calms a dispute.

19 T he way of the lazy is as a hedge of thorns, But the path of the upright is a highway.

20 A wise son makes a father glad, But a foolish man despises his mother.

21 F olly is joy to him who lacks sense, But a man of understanding walks straight.

22 W ithout consultation, plans are frustrated, But with many counselors they succeed.

23 A man has joy in an apt answer, And how delightful is a timely word!

24 T he path of life leads upward for the wise That he may keep away from Sheol below.

25 T he Lord will tear down the house of the proud, But He will establish the boundary of the widow.

26 E vil plans are an abomination to the Lord, But pleasant words are pure.

27 H e who profits illicitly troubles his own house, But he who hates bribes will live.

28 T he heart of the righteous ponders how to answer, But the mouth of the wicked pours out evil things.

29 T he Lord is far from the wicked, But He hears the prayer of the righteous.

30 B right eyes gladden the heart; Good news puts fat on the bones.

31 H e whose ear listens to the life-giving reproof Will dwell among the wise.

32 H e who neglects discipline despises himself, But he who listens to reproof acquires understanding.

33 T he fear of the Lord is the instruction for wisdom, And before honor comes humility.