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

¶ A soft answer turns away wrath, but grievous words stir up anger.

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

¶ The tongue of the wise shall adorn wisdom, but the mouth of fools shall speak foolishness.

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

¶ The eyes of the LORD are in every place, beholding those who are evil and those who are good.

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

¶ The wholesome tongue is a tree of life, but perverseness therein is a breach in the spirit.

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

¶ The fool despises his father’s chastening, but he that regards reproof shall become prudent.

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 provision, but in the fruit 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 wisdom, but the heart of the foolish does 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 the LORD, 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 unto the LORD, but he loves him that follows after righteousness.

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

¶ Chastening is grievous unto him that forsakes the way, but he that hates reproof shall die.

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

¶ Sheol and hell are before the LORD; how much more then the hearts of men?

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

¶ The scorner does not love the one that reproves him, neither will he go unto the wise.

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

¶ A joyful heart makes a beautiful countenance, but by sorrow of the heart the spirit is abated.

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

¶ The heart of him that has understanding seeks wisdom, but the mouth of fools feeds on foolishness.

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 poor are difficult, but he that is of a good heart has 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 the LORD 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 vegetables where love is than a fatted calf and hatred therewith.

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

¶ A wrathful man stirs up strife, but he that is slow to anger appeases 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 slothful man is as a hedge of thorns, but the path of the righteous is made plain.

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

¶ The wise son makes a glad father, but the foolish man despises 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 destitute of understanding, but the man who is intelligent walks uprightly.

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

¶ Without 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 has joy by the answer of his mouth, and a word spoken in due season, how good it is!

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

¶ The way of life is uphill to the wise, that he may separate himself from Sheol below.

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

¶ The LORD will destroy the house of the proud, but he will establish the inheritance of the widow.

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

¶ The thoughts of the wicked are an abomination to the LORD, but the speech of the pure is 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 troubles his own house, but he that hates gifts 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 studies to answer, but the mouth of the wicked pours out evil things.

29 Y ahweh is far from the wicked, but he hears the prayer of the righteous.

¶ The LORD is far from the wicked, but he hears 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 rejoices the heart, and a good report makes the bones fat.

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

¶ The ear that hears 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 refuses chastening despises his own soul, but he that hears reproof has an understanding heart.

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

¶ The fear of the LORD is the instruction of wisdom, and before honour is humility.