A gentle answer turns away wrath,
But a harsh word stirs up anger.
2 The tongue of the wise makes knowledge look good,
But the mouth of fools pours forth folly.
3 The eyes of Yahweh are in every place,
Watching the evil and the good.
4 A tongue that brings healing is a tree of life,
But perversion in it breaks the spirit.
5 An ignorant fool spurns his father’s discipline,
But he who keeps reproof is prudent.
6 The house of the righteous has much treasure,
But in the income of the wicked there is trouble.
7 The lips of the wise disperse knowledge,
But the hearts of fools are not so.
8 The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination to Yahweh,
But the prayer of the upright is His delight.
9 The way of the wicked is an abomination to Yahweh,
But He loves one who pursues righteousness.
10 Grievous discipline is for him who forsakes the way;
He who hates reproof will die.
11 Sheol and Abaddon lie open before Yahweh,
How much more the hearts of the sons of men!
12 A scoffer does not love one who reproves him,
He will not go to the wise.
13 A glad heart makes a face look good,
But when the heart is pained, the spirit is broken.
14 The heart of the one who has understanding seeks knowledge,
But the mouth of fools feeds on folly.
15 All the days of the afflicted are evil,
But a good heart has a continual feast.
16 Better is a little with the fear of Yahweh
Than great treasure and turmoil with it.
17 Better is a dish of vegetables where there is love
Than a fattened ox and hatred in it.
18 A hot‑tempered man stirs up strife,
But the slow to anger quiets a dispute.
19 The way of the sluggard is as a hedge of thorns,
But the path of the upright is a highway.
20 A wise son makes a father glad,
But a foolish man despises his mother.
21 Folly is gladness to him who lacks a heart of wisdom,
But a man of discernment walks straight.
22 Without consultation, plans are frustrated,
But with many counselors they succeed.
23 A man has gladness in an apt answer,
And how good is a timely word!
24 The path of life leads upward for the one who has insight
That he may turn away from Sheol below.
25 Yahweh will tear down the house of the proud,
But He will cause the boundary of the widow to stand.
26 Evil thoughts are an abomination to Yahweh,
But pleasant words are pure.
27 He who is greedy for gain troubles his own house,
But he who hates gifts of bribery will live.
28 The heart of the righteous ponders how to answer,
But the mouth of the wicked pours forth evil things.
29 Yahweh 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.
31 He whose ear listens to the life‑giving reproof
Will lodge among the wise.
32 He who neglects discipline despises his soul,
But he who listens to reproof acquires a heart of wisdom.
33 The fear of Yahweh is the discipline leading to wisdom,
And before glory comes humility.