[1] By a soft answer wrath is turned away, but a bitter word is a cause of
angry feelings. [2] Knowledge is dropping from the tongue of the wise; but
from the mouth of the foolish comes a stream of foolish words. [3] The eyes
of the Lord are in every place, keeping watch on the evil and the good. [4]
A comforting tongue is a tree of life, but a twisted tongue is a crushing
of the spirit. [5] A foolish man puts no value on his father's training;
but he who has respect for teaching has good sense. [6] In the house of the
upright man there is a great store of wealth; but in the profits of the
sinner there is trouble. [7] The lips of the wise keep knowledge, but the
heart of the foolish man is not right. [8] The offering of the evil-doer is
disgusting to the Lord, but the prayer of the upright man is his delight.
[9] The way of the evil-doer is disgusting to the Lord, but he who goes
after righteousness is dear to him. [10] There is bitter punishment for him
who is turned from the way; and death will be the fate of the hater of
teaching. [11] Before the Lord are the underworld and destruction: how much
more, then, the hearts of the children of men! [12] The hater of authority
has no love for teaching: he will not go to the wise. [13] A glad heart
makes a shining face, but by the sorrow of the heart the spirit is broken.
[14] The heart of the man of good sense goes in search of knowledge, but
foolish things are the food of the unwise. [15] All the days of the
troubled are evil; but he whose heart is glad has an unending feast. [16]
Better is a little with the fear of the Lord, than great wealth together
with trouble. [17] Better is a simple meal where love is, than a fat ox and
hate with it. [18] An angry man makes men come to blows, but he who is slow
to get angry puts an end to fighting. [19] Thorns are round the way of the
hater of work; but the road of the hard worker becomes a highway. [20] A
wise son makes a glad father, but a foolish man has no respect for his
mother. [21] Foolish behaviour is joy to the unwise; but a man of good
sense makes his way straight. [22] Where there are no wise suggestions,
purposes come to nothing; but by a number of wise guides they are made
certain. [23] A man has joy in the answer of his mouth: and a word at the
right time, how good it is! [24] Acting wisely is the way of life, guiding
a man away from the underworld. [25] The house of the man of pride will be
uprooted by the Lord, but he will make safe the heritage of the widow. [26]
Evil designs are disgusting to the Lord, but the words of the clean-hearted
are pleasing. [27] He whose desires are fixed on profit is a cause of
trouble to his family; but he who has no desire for offerings will have
life. [28] The heart of the upright gives thought to his answer; but from
the mouth of the evil-doer comes a stream of evil things. [29] The Lord is
far from sinners, but his ear is open to the prayer of the upright. [30]
The light of the eyes is a joy to the heart, and good news makes the bones
fat. [31] The man whose ear is open to the teaching of life will have his
place among the wise. [32] He who will not be controlled by training has no
respect for his soul, but he who gives ear to teaching will get wisdom.
[33] The fear of the Lord is the teaching of wisdom; and a low opinion of
oneself goes before honour.
