1A gentle answer turns away wrath,
         But a harsh word stirs up anger.

2The tongue of the wise makes knowledge acceptable,
         But the mouth of fools spouts folly.

3The eyes of the LORD are in every place,
         Watching the evil and the good.

4A soothing tongue is a tree of life,
         But perversion in it crushes the spirit.

5A fool rejects his father’s discipline,
         But he who regards reproof 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 one who pursues righteousness.

10Grievous punishment is for him who forsakes the way;
         He who hates reproof will die.

11Sheol and Abaddon lie open before the LORD,
         How much more the hearts of men!

12A scoffer does not love one who reproves him,
         He will not go to the wise.

13A joyful heart makes a cheerful face,
         But when the heart is sad, the spirit is broken.

14The mind of the intelligent seeks knowledge,
         But the mouth of fools feeds on folly.

15All the days of the afflicted are bad,
         But a cheerful heart has a continual feast.

16Better is a little with the fear of the LORD
         Than great treasure and turmoil with it.

17Better is a dish of vegetables where love is
         Than a fattened ox served with hatred.

18A hot-tempered man stirs up strife,
         But the slow to anger calms a dispute.

19The way of the lazy 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 joy to him who lacks sense,
         But a man of understanding walks straight.

22Without consultation, plans are frustrated,
         But with many counselors they succeed.

23A man has joy in an apt answer,
         And how delightful is a timely word!

24The path of life leads upward for the wise
         That he may keep away from Sheol below.

25The LORD will tear down the house of the proud,
         But He will establish 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.

30Bright eyes gladden the heart;
         Good news puts fat on the bones.

31He whose ear listens to the life-giving reproof
         Will dwell among the wise.

32He who neglects discipline despises himself,
         But he who listens to reproof acquires understanding.

33The fear of the LORD is the instruction for wisdom,
         And before honor comes humility.

NASB ©1995