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

2 T he 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 the Lord are in every place, watching the bad and the good.

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

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

6 G reat 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 spread much learning, but the minds of fools do not.

8 T he Lord hates the gifts of the sinful, but the prayer of the faithful is His joy.

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

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

11 T he world of the dead lies open before the Lord. How much more the hearts of men!

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

14 T he 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 suffering are hard, but a glad heart has a special supper all the time.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

26 T he Lord hates the plans of the sinful, but the words of the pure are pleasing to Him.

27 H e 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 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 T he 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 makes the heart glad. Good news puts fat on the bones.

31 H e whose ear listens to careful words spoken will live among the wise.

32 H e 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 the Lord is the teaching for wisdom, and having no pride comes before honor.