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

A soft answer turneth away fury; but a grievous word stirreth up anger.

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

The tongue of the wise useth knowledge aright; but the mouth of the foolish poureth out folly.

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

The eyes of Jehovah are in every place, beholding the evil and the good.

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

Gentleness of tongue is a tree of life; but crookedness therein is a breaking of the spirit.

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

A fool despiseth his father's instruction; but he that regardeth reproof becometh prudent.

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

In the house of a righteous is much treasure; but in the revenue of a wicked is disturbance.

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

The lips of the wise disperse knowledge, but not so the heart of the foolish.

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 Jehovah; 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.

The way of a wicked is an abomination to Jehovah; but him that pursueth righteousness he loveth.

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

Grievous correction is for him that forsaketh the path; he that hateth reproof shall die.

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

Sheol and destruction are before Jehovah; how much more then the hearts of the children of men!

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

A scorner loveth not one that reproveth him; he will not go unto the wise.

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

A joyful heart maketh a cheerful countenance; but by sorrow of heart the spirit is broken.

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

The heart of an intelligent seeketh knowledge; but the mouth of the foolish feedeth on folly.

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

All the days of the afflicted are evil; but a cheerful heart is a continual feast.

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

Better is little with the fear of Jehovah than great store and disquietude therewith.

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

Better is a meal of herbs where love is, than a fatted ox and hatred therewith.

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

A furious man stirreth up contention; but he that is slow to anger appeaseth strife.

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

The way of the sluggard is as a hedge of thorns; but the path of the upright is made plain.

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

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

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

Folly is joy to him that is void of sense; but a man of understanding regulateth his walk.

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

Without counsel purposes are disappointed; but in the multitude of counsellors they are established.

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

A man hath joy by the answer of his mouth; and a word in its season, how good is it!

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

The path of life is upwards for the wise, that he may depart from Sheol beneath.

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

Jehovah plucketh up the house of the proud; but he establisheth the boundary of the widow.

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

The thoughts of the evil are an abomination to Jehovah; but pure words are pleasant.

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

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

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

The heart of a righteous studieth to answer; but the mouth of the wicked poureth out evil things.

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

Jehovah is far from the wicked; but he heareth the prayer of the righteous.

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

That which enlighteneth the eyes rejoiceth the heart; good tidings make the bones fat.

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

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

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

He that refuseth instruction despiseth his own soul; but he that heareth reproof getteth sense.

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

The fear of Jehovah is the discipline of wisdom, and before honour humility.