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

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

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 bad and the good.

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

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

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

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

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

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 much learning, but the minds of fools do not.

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

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

The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination to Jehovah; but the prayer of the upright is his delight.

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

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

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

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

11 T he world of the dead lies 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 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.

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

13 A glad heart makes a happy 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 him who has understanding looks for much learning, but the mouth of fools feeds on foolish ways.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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 hates his mother.

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

21 A foolish way is joy to him who has no wisdom, 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 P lans go wrong without talking together, but they will go well when many wise men talk about what to do.

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

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

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 up for the wise, so he may keep away from hell 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 make a place for the woman whose husband has died.

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

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

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

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.

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

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 sinful, but He hears the prayer of those who are right with Him.

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

30 T he light of the eyes makes the heart glad. 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 careful words spoken will live among the wise.

The ear that heareth the reproof of life shall abide 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.

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

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

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