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

A soft answer turneth away wrath; But a grievous word stirreth up anger.

2 T he tongue of the wise commends knowledge, but the mouth of fools gush out folly.

The tongue of the wise uttereth knowledge aright; But the mouth of fools poureth out folly.

3 Y ahweh’s eyes are everywhere, keeping watch on the evil and the good.

The eyes of Jehovah are in every place, Keeping watch upon the evil and the good.

4 A gentle tongue is a tree of life, but deceit in it crushes the spirit.

A gentle tongue is a tree of life; But perverseness therein is a breaking of the spirit.

5 A fool despises his father’s correction, but he who heeds reproof shows prudence.

A fool despiseth his father's correction; But he that regardeth reproof getteth prudence.

6 I n the house of the righteous is much treasure, but the income of the wicked brings trouble.

In the house of the righteous is much treasure; But in the revenues of the wicked is trouble.

7 T he lips of the wise spread knowledge; not so with the heart of fools.

The lips of the wise disperse knowledge; But the heart of the foolish doeth not so.

8 T he sacrifice made by the wicked is an abomination to Yahweh, 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 Yahweh, but he loves him who follows after righteousness.

The way of the wicked is an abomination to Jehovah; But he loveth him that followeth after righteousness.

10 T here is stern discipline for one who forsakes the way: whoever hates reproof shall die.

There is grievous correction for him that forsaketh the way; And he that hateth reproof shall die.

11 S heol and Abaddon are before Yahweh— how much more then the hearts of the children of men!

Sheol and Abaddon are before Jehovah: How much more then the hearts of the children of men!

12 A scoffer doesn’t love to be reproved; he will not go to the wise.

A scoffer loveth not to be reproved; He will not go unto the wise.

13 A glad heart makes a cheerful face; but an aching heart breaks the spirit.

A glad heart maketh a cheerful countenance; But by sorrow of heart the spirit is broken.

14 T he heart of one who has understanding seeks knowledge, but the mouths of fools feed on folly.

The heart of him that hath understanding seeketh knowledge; But the mouth of fools feedeth on folly.

15 A ll the days of the afflicted are wretched, but one who has a cheerful heart enjoys a continual feast.

All the days of the afflicted are evil; But he that is of a cheerful heart hath a continual feast.

16 B etter is little, with the fear of Yahweh, than great treasure with trouble.

Better is little, with the fear of Jehovah, Than great treasure and trouble therewith.

17 B etter is a dinner of herbs, where love is, than a fattened calf with hatred.

Better is a dinner of herbs, where love is, Than a stalled ox and hatred therewith.

18 A wrathful man stirs up contention, but one who is slow to anger appeases strife.

A wrathful man stirreth up contention; But he that is slow to anger appeaseth strife.

19 T he way of the sluggard is like a thorn patch, 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 a highway.

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 one who is void of wisdom, but a man of understanding keeps his way straight.

Folly is joy to him that is void of wisdom; But a man of understanding maketh straight his going.

22 W here there is no counsel, plans fail; but in a multitude of counselors they are established.

Where there is no counsel, purposes are disappointed; But in the multitude of counsellors they are established.

23 J oy comes to a man with the reply of his mouth. How good is a word at the right time!

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

24 T he path of life leads upward for the wise, to keep him from going downward to Sheol.

To the wise the way of life goeth upward, That he may depart from Sheol beneath.

25 Y ahweh will uproot the house of the proud, but he will keep the widow’s borders intact.

Jehovah will root up the house of the proud; But he will establish the border of the widow.

26 Y ahweh detests the thoughts of the wicked, but the thoughts of the pure are pleasing.

Evil devices are an abomination to Jehovah; But pleasant words are pure.

27 H e who is greedy for gain 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 bribes shall live.

28 T he heart of the righteous weighs answers, but the mouth of the wicked gushes out evil.

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

29 Y ahweh 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 T he light of the eyes rejoices the heart. Good news gives health to the bones.

The light of the eyes rejoiceth the heart; And good tidings make the bones fat.

31 T he ear that listens to reproof lives, and will be at home among the wise.

The ear that hearkeneth to the reproof of life Shall abide among the wise.

32 H e who refuses correction despises his own soul, but he who listens to reproof gets understanding.

He that refuseth correction despiseth his own soul; But he that hearkeneth to reproof getteth understanding.

33 T he fear of Yahweh teaches wisdom. Before honor is humility.

The fear of Jehovah is the instruction of wisdom; And before honor goeth humility.