1A gentle answer turns away rage, but a harsh word stirs up anger.

2The tongues of wise people give good expression to knowledge, but the mouths of fools pour out a flood of stupidity.

3The eyes of the LORD are everywhere. They watch evil people and good people.

4A soothing tongue is a tree of life, but a deceitful tongue breaks the spirit.

5A stubborn fool despises his father's discipline, but whoever appreciates a warning shows good sense.

6Great treasure is in the house of a righteous person, but trouble comes along with the income of a wicked person.

7The lips of wise people spread knowledge, but a foolish attitude does not.

8A sacrifice brought by wicked people is disgusting to the LORD, but the prayers of decent people please him.

9The way of wicked people is disgusting to the LORD, but he loves those who pursue righteousness.

10Discipline is a terrible [burden] to anyone who leaves the [right] path. Anyone who hates a warning will die.

11If Sheol and Abaddon lie open in front of the LORD how much more the human heart!

12A mocker does not appreciate a warning. He will not go to wise people.

13A joyful heart makes a cheerful face, but with a heartache comes depression.

14The mind of a person who has understanding searches for knowledge, but the mouths of fools feed on stupidity.

15Every day is a terrible day for a miserable person, but a cheerful heart has a continual feast.

16Better to have a little with the fear of the LORD than great treasure and turmoil.

17Better to have a dish of vegetables where there is love than juicy steaks where there is hate.

18A hothead stirs up a fight, but one who holds his temper calms disputes.

19The path of lazy people is like a thorny hedge, but the road of decent people is an [open] highway.

20A wise son makes his father happy, but a foolish child despises its mother.

21Stupidity is fun to the one without much sense, but a person who has understanding forges straight ahead.

22Without advice plans go wrong, but with many advisers they succeed.

23A person is delighted to hear an answer from his own mouth, and a timely word-oh, how good!

24The path of life for a wise person leads upward in order to turn him away from hell below.

25The LORD tears down the house of an arrogant person, but he protects the property of widows.

26The thoughts of evil people are disgusting to the LORD, but pleasant words are pure to him.

27Whoever is greedy for unjust gain brings trouble to his family, but whoever hates bribes will live.

28The heart of a righteous person carefully considers how to answer, but the mouths of wicked people pour out a flood of evil things.

29The LORD is far from wicked people, but he hears the prayers of righteous people.

30A twinkle in the eye delights the heart. Good news refreshes the body.

31The ear that listens to a life-giving warning will be at home among wise people.

32Whoever ignores discipline despises himself, but the person who listens to warning gains understanding.

33The fear of the LORD is discipline [leading to] wisdom, and humility comes before honor.