1A gentle answer turns away wrath,

But a [a]harsh word stirs up anger.

2The tongue of the wise makes knowledge pleasant,

But the mouth of fools spouts foolishness.

3The eyes of the LORD are in every place,

Watching the evil and the good.

4A [b]soothing tongue is a tree of life,

But perversion in it [c]crushes the spirit.

5A fool [d]rejects his father’s discipline,

But he who complies with rebuke is sensible.

6Great wealth is in the house of the righteous,

But trouble is in the income of the wicked.

7The lips of the wise spread knowledge,

But the hearts of fools are 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 to the LORD,

But He loves the one who pursues righteousness.

10There is severe punishment for one who abandons the way;

One who hates a rebuke will die.

11[e]Sheol and [f]Abaddon lie open before the LORD,

How much more the hearts of [g]mankind!

12A scoffer does not love one who rebukes him;

He will not go to the wise.

13A joyful heart makes a [h]cheerful face,

But [i]when the heart is sad, the spirit is broken.

14The mind of the intelligent seeks knowledge,

But the mouth of fools feeds on foolishness.

15All the days of the [j]needy are bad,

But a [k]cheerful heart has a continual feast.

16Better is a little with [l]the fear of the LORD

Than great treasure, and turmoil with [m]the treasure.

17Better is a portion of [n]vegetables where there is love,

Than a fattened ox served with hatred.

18A hot-tempered person stirs up strife,

But the slow to anger calms a dispute.

19The way of the [o]lazy one is like 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.

21Foolishness is joy to one who lacks [p]sense,

But a person of understanding walks straight.

22Without consultation, plans are frustrated,

But with many counselors they [q]succeed.

23A person has joy in an [r]apt answer,

And how delightful is a timely word!

24The path of life leads upward for the wise,

So that he may keep away from [s]Sheol below.

25The LORD will tear down the house of the proud,

But He will set the boundary of the widow.

26Evil plans are an abomination to the LORD,

But pleasant words are pure.

27He who profits illicitly troubles his own house,

But he who hates bribes will live.

28The heart of the righteous ponders how to answer,

But the mouth of the wicked pours out evil things.

29The LORD is far from the wicked,

But He hears the prayer of the righteous.

30[t]Bright eyes gladden the heart;

Good news [u]refreshes the bones.

31One whose ear listens to a life-giving rebuke

Will stay among the wise.

32One who neglects discipline rejects himself,

But one who listens to a rebuke acquires [v]understanding.

33[w]The fear of the LORD is the instruction for wisdom,

And before honor comes humility.