1A gentle answer turns away wrath,

But a [†]harsh word stirs up anger.

2The tongue of the wise makes knowledge look good,

But the mouth of [†]fools pours forth [†]folly.

3The eyes of Yahweh are in every place,

Watching the evil and the good.

4A tongue that brings healing is a tree of life,

But perversion in it breaks the spirit.

5An ignorant fool spurns his father’s discipline,

But he who keeps reproof is prudent.

6The house of the righteous has much treasure,

But in the income of the wicked there is trouble.

7The lips of the wise disperse knowledge,

But the hearts of fools are not so.

8The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination to Yahweh,

But the prayer of the upright is His delight.

9The way of the wicked is an abomination to Yahweh,

But He loves one who pursues righteousness.

10Grievous discipline is for him who forsakes the way;

He who hates reproof will die.

11Sheol and Abaddon lie open before Yahweh,

How much more the hearts of the sons of men!

12A scoffer does not love one who reproves him,

He will not go to the wise.

13A glad heart makes a face look good,

But [†]when the heart is pained, the spirit is broken.

14The heart of the one who has understanding seeks knowledge,

But the mouth of fools feeds on folly.

15All the days of the afflicted are evil,

But a good heart has a continual feast.

16Better is a little with the [†]fear of Yahweh

Than great treasure and turmoil with it.

17Better is a [†]dish of [†]vegetables where there is love

Than a fattened ox and hatred in it.

18A hot-tempered man stirs up strife,

But the slow to anger quiets a dispute.

19The way of the sluggard is as a hedge of thorns,

But the path of the upright is a highway.

20A wise son makes a father glad,

But a foolish man despises his mother.

21Folly is gladness to him who lacks a heart of wisdom,

But a man of discernment walks straight.

22Without consultation, [†]plans are frustrated,

But with many counselors they [†]succeed.

23A man has gladness in an [†]apt answer,

And how good is a timely word!

24The path of life leads upward for the one who has insight

That he may turn away from Sheol below.

25Yahweh will tear down the house of the proud,

But He will cause the boundary of the widow to stand.

26Evil thoughts are an abomination to Yahweh,

But pleasant words are pure.

27He who is greedy for gain troubles his own house,

But he who hates gifts of bribery will live.

28The heart of the righteous ponders how to answer,

But the mouth of the wicked pours forth evil things.

29Yahweh is far from the wicked,

But He hears the prayer of the righteous.

30[†]Bright eyes gladden the heart;

A good report puts fat on the bones.

31He whose ear listens to the life-giving reproof

Will lodge among the wise.

32He who neglects discipline despises his soul,

But he who listens to reproof acquires a heart of wisdom.

33The [†]fear of Yahweh is the discipline [†]leading to wisdom,

And before glory comes humility.