[1] A soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger. [2]
The tongue of the wise dispenses knowledge, but the mouths of fools pour
out folly. [3] The eyes of the LORD are in every place, keeping watch on
the evil and the good. [4] A gentle tongue is a tree of life, but
perverseness in it breaks the spirit. [5] A fool despises his father's
instruction, but he who heeds admonition is prudent. [6] In the house of
the righteous there is much treasure, but trouble befalls the income of the
wicked. [7] The lips of the wise spread knowledge; not so the minds of
fools. [8] The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination to the LORD, but
the prayer of the upright is his delight. [9] The way of the wicked is an
abomination to the LORD, but he loves him who pursues righteousness. [10]
There is severe discipline for him who forsakes the way; he who hates
reproof will die. [11] Sheol and Abaddon lie open before the LORD, how much
more the hearts of men! [12] A scoffer does not like to be reproved; he
will not go to the wise. [13] A glad heart makes a cheerful countenance,
but by sorrow of heart the spirit is broken. [14] The mind of him who has
understanding seeks knowledge, but the mouths of fools feed on folly. [15]
All the days of the afflicted are evil, but a cheerful heart has a
continual feast. [16] Better is a little with the fear of the LORD than
great treasure and trouble with it. [17] Better is a dinner of herbs where
love is than a fatted ox and hatred with it. [18] A hot-tempered man stirs
up strife, but he who is slow to anger quiets contention. [19] The way of a
sluggard is overgrown with thorns, but the path of the upright is a level
highway. [20] A wise son makes a glad father, but a foolish man despises
his mother. [21] Folly is a joy to him who has no sense, but a man of
understanding walks aright. [22] Without counsel plans go wrong, but with
many advisers they succeed. [23] To make an apt answer is a joy to a man,
and a word in season, how good it is! [24] The wise man's path leads upward
to life, that he may avoid Sheol beneath. [25] The LORD tears down the
house of the proud, but maintains the widow's boundaries. [26] The thoughts
of the wicked are an abomination to the LORD, the words of the pure are
pleasing to him. [27] He who is greedy for unjust gain makes trouble for
his household, but he who hates bribes will live. [28] The mind of the
righteous ponders how to answer, but the mouth of the wicked pours out evil
things. [29] The LORD is far from the wicked, but he hears the prayer of
the righteous. [30] The light of the eyes rejoices the heart, and good news
refreshes the bones. [31] He whose ear heeds wholesome admonition will
abide among the wise. [32] He who ignores instruction despises himself, but
he who heeds admonition gains understanding. [33] The fear of the LORD is
instruction in wisdom, and humility goes before honor.
