1A gentle answer turns away wrath,
but a harsh word stirs up anger.
2The tongue of the wise adorns knowledge,
but the mouth of the fool gushes folly.
3The eyes of the Lord are everywhere,
keeping watch on the wicked and the good.
4The soothing tongue is a tree of life,
but a perverse tongue crushes the spirit.
5A fool spurns a parent’s discipline,
but whoever heeds correction shows prudence.
6The house of the righteous contains great treasure,
but the income of the wicked brings ruin.
7The lips of the wise spread knowledge,
but the hearts of fools are not upright.
8The Lord detests the sacrifice of the wicked,
but the prayer of the upright pleases him.
9The Lord detests the way of the wicked,
but he loves those who pursue righteousness.
10Stern discipline awaits anyone who leaves the path;
the one who hates correction will die.
11Death and Destruction15:11 Hebrew Abaddon lie open before the Lord –
how much more do human hearts!
12Mockers resent correction,
so they avoid the wise.
13A happy heart makes the face cheerful,
but heartache crushes the spirit.
14The discerning heart seeks knowledge,
but the mouth of a fool feeds on folly.
15All the days of the oppressed are wretched,
but the cheerful heart has a continual feast.
16Better a little with the fear of the Lord
than great wealth with turmoil.
17Better a dish of vegetables with love
than a fattened calf with hatred.
18A hot-tempered person stirs up conflict,
but the one who is patient calms a quarrel.
19The way of the sluggard is blocked with thorns,
but the path of the upright is a highway.
20A wise son brings joy to his father,
but a foolish man despises his mother.
21Folly brings joy to one who has no sense,
but whoever has understanding keeps a straight course.
22Plans fail for lack of counsel,
but with many advisors they succeed.
23A person finds joy in giving an apt reply –
and how good is a timely word!
24The path of life leads upward for the prudent
to keep them from going down to the realm of the dead.
25The Lord tears down the house of the proud,
but he sets the widow’s boundary stones in place.
26The Lord detests the thoughts of the wicked,
but gracious words are pure in his sight.
27The greedy bring ruin to their households,
but the one who hates bribes will live.
28The heart of the righteous weighs its answers,
but the mouth of the wicked gushes evil.
29The Lord is far from the wicked,
but he hears the prayer of the righteous.
30Light in a messenger’s eyes brings joy to the heart,
and good news gives health to the bones.
31Whoever heeds life-giving correction
will be at home among the wise.
32Those who disregard discipline despise themselves,
but the one who heeds correction gains understanding.
33Wisdom’s instruction is to fear the Lord,
and humility comes before honour.
1A soft answer turneth away wrath: but grievous words stir up anger. 2The tongue of the wise useth knowledge aright: but the mouth of fools poureth out foolishness.15.2 poureth: Heb. belcheth, or, bubbleth 3The eyes of the LORD are in every place, beholding the evil and the good. 4A wholesome tongue is a tree of life: but perverseness therein is a breach in the spirit.15.4 A wholesome…: Heb. The healing of the tongue 5A fool despiseth his father’s instruction: but he that regardeth reproof is prudent. 6In the house of the righteous is much treasure: but in the revenues of the wicked is trouble. 7The lips of the wise disperse knowledge: but the heart of the foolish doeth not so. 8The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination to the LORD: but the prayer of the upright is his delight. 9The way of the wicked is an abomination unto the LORD: but he loveth him that followeth after righteousness. 10Correction is grievous unto him that forsaketh the way: and he that hateth reproof shall die.15.10 Correction: or, Instruction 11Hell and destruction are before the LORD: how much more then the hearts of the children of men? 12A scorner loveth not one that reproveth him: neither will he go unto the wise. 13A merry heart maketh a cheerful countenance: but by sorrow of the heart the spirit is broken. 14The heart of him that hath understanding seeketh knowledge: but the mouth of fools feedeth on foolishness. 15All the days of the afflicted are evil: but he that is of a merry heart hath a continual feast.
16Better is little with the fear of the LORD than great treasure and trouble therewith. 17Better is a dinner of herbs where love is, than a stalled ox and hatred therewith. 18A wrathful man stirreth up strife: but he that is slow to anger appeaseth strife. 19The way of the slothful man is as an hedge of thorns: but the way of the righteous is made plain.15.19 is made…: Heb. is raised up as a causey 20A wise son maketh a glad father: but a foolish man despiseth his mother. 21Folly is joy to him that is destitute of wisdom: but a man of understanding walketh uprightly.15.21 destitute…: Heb. void of heart 22Without counsel purposes are disappointed: but in the multitude of counsellors they are established. 23A man hath joy by the answer of his mouth: and a word spoken in due season, how good is it!15.23 due…: Heb. his season 24The way of life is above to the wise, that he may depart from hell beneath. 25The LORD will destroy the house of the proud: but he will establish the border of the widow. 26The thoughts of the wicked are an abomination to the LORD: but the words of the pure are pleasant words.15.26 pleasant…: Heb. words of pleasantness 27He that is greedy of gain troubleth his own house; but he that hateth gifts shall live. 28The heart of the righteous studieth to answer: but the mouth of the wicked poureth out evil things. 29The LORD is far from the wicked: but he heareth the prayer of the righteous. 30The light of the eyes rejoiceth the heart: and a good report maketh the bones fat. 31The ear that heareth the reproof of life abideth among the wise. 32He that refuseth instruction despiseth his own soul: but he that heareth reproof getteth understanding.15.32 instruction: or, correction15.32 heareth: or, obeyeth15.32 getteth…: Heb. possesseth an heart 33The fear of the LORD is the instruction of wisdom; and before honour is humility.
