1 A soft answer turneth back fury, And a grievous word raiseth up anger.

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

2 T he tongue of the wise maketh knowledge good, And the mouth of fools uttereth folly.

The tongue of the wise makes knowledge acceptable, But the mouth of fools spouts folly.

3 I n every place are the eyes of Jehovah, Watching the evil and the good.

The eyes of the Lord are in every place, Watching the evil and the good.

4 A healed tongue a tree of life, And perverseness in it -- a breach in the spirit.

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

5 A fool despiseth the instruction of his father, And whoso is regarding reproof is prudent.

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

6 t he house of the righteous abundant strength, And in the increase of the wicked -- trouble.

Great wealth is in the house of the righteous, But trouble is in the income of the wicked.

7 T he lips of the wise scatter knowledge, And the heart of fools not right.

The lips of the wise spread knowledge, But the hearts of fools are not so.

8 T he sacrifice of the wicked an abomination to Jehovah, And the prayer of the upright His delight.

The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination to the Lord, But the prayer of the upright is His delight.

9 A n abomination to Jehovah the way of the wicked, And whoso is pursuing righteousness He loveth.

The way of the wicked is an abomination to the Lord, But He loves one who pursues righteousness.

10 C hastisement grievous to him who is forsaking the path, Whoso is hating reproof dieth.

Grievous punishment is for him who forsakes the way; He who hates reproof will die.

11 S heol and destruction before Jehovah, Surely also the hearts of the sons of men.

Sheol and Abaddon lie open before the Lord, How much more the hearts of men!

12 A scorner loveth not his reprover, Unto the wise he goeth not.

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

13 A joyful heart maketh glad the face, And by grief of heart is the spirit smitten.

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

14 T he heart of the intelligent seeketh knowledge, And the mouth of fools enjoyeth folly.

The mind of the intelligent seeks knowledge, But the mouth of fools feeds on folly.

15 A ll the days of the afflicted evil, And gladness of heart a perpetual banquet.

All the days of the afflicted are bad, But a cheerful heart has a continual feast.

16 B etter a little with the fear of Jehovah, Than much treasure, and tumult with it.

Better is a little with the fear of the Lord Than great treasure and turmoil with it.

17 B etter an allowance of green herbs and love there, Than a fatted ox, and hatred with it.

Better is a dish of vegetables where love is Than a fattened ox served with hatred.

18 A man of fury stirreth up contention, And the slow to anger appeaseth strife.

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

19 T he way of the slothful as a hedge of briers, And the path of the upright is raised up.

The way of the lazy is as a hedge of thorns, But the path of the upright is a highway.

20 A wise son rejoiceth a father. And a foolish man is despising his mother.

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

21 F olly is joy to one lacking heart, And a man of intelligence directeth going.

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

22 W ithout counsel the making void of purposes, And in a multitude of counsellors it is established.

Without consultation, plans are frustrated, But with many counselors they succeed.

23 J oy to a man in the answer of his mouth, And a word in its season -- how good!

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

24 A path of life on high for the wise, To turn aside from Sheol beneath.

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

25 T he house of the proud Jehovah pulleth down, And He setteth up the border of the widow.

The Lord will tear down the house of the proud, But He will establish the boundary of the widow.

26 A n abomination to Jehovah thoughts of wickedness, And pure sayings of pleasantness.

Evil plans are an abomination to the Lord, But pleasant words are pure.

27 A dishonest gainer is troubling his house, And whoso is hating gifts liveth.

He who profits illicitly troubles his own house, But he who hates bribes will live.

28 T he heart of the righteous meditateth to answer, And the mouth of the wicked uttereth evil things.

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

29 F ar Jehovah from the wicked, And the prayer of the righteous He heareth.

The Lord is far from the wicked, But He hears the prayer of the righteous.

30 T he light of the eyes rejoiceth the heart, A good report maketh fat the bone.

Bright eyes gladden the heart; Good news puts fat on the bones.

31 A n ear that is hearing the reproof of life Doth lodge among the wise.

He whose ear listens to the life-giving reproof Will dwell among the wise.

32 W hoso is refusing instruction is despising his soul, And whoso is hearing reproof Is getting understanding.

He who neglects discipline despises himself, But he who listens to reproof acquires understanding.

33 T he fear of Jehovah the instruction of wisdom, And before honour humility!

The fear of the Lord is the instruction for wisdom, And before honor comes humility.