1A soft answer turns away wrath, but grievous words stir up anger. 2The tongue of the wise uses knowledge rightly, but the mouth of fools pours out foolishness. 3The eyes of Jehovah are in every place, keeping watch over the evil and the good. 4A wholesome tongue is a tree of life, but perverseness in it is a break in the spirit. 5A fool despises his father’s instruction, but he who restrains himself because of reproof is prudent. 6In the house of the righteous is much treasure, but in the revenue of the wicked is trouble. 7The lips of the wise disperse knowledge, but the heart of the fool is not so. 8The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination to Jehovah, but the prayer of the upright is His delight. 9The way of the wicked is an abomination to Jehovah, but He loves him who pursues righteousness. 10Correction is grievous to him who forsakes the way; he who hates reproof shall die. 11Sheol and Abaddon are before Jehovah; even more, the hearts of the sons of men. 12A scorner does not love one who corrects him, nor will he go to the wise. 13A merry heart makes a cheerful face, but by sorrow of heart the spirit is broken. 14The heart of him who has understanding seeks knowledge, but the mouth of fools feeds on folly. 15All the days of the afflicted are evil, but gladness of heart is a continual feast. 16Better is a little with the fear of Jehovah than great treasure and turmoil with it. 17Better is a dinner of vegetables where love is, than a fattened cow and hatred with it. 18A wrathful man stirs up strife, but one who is slow to anger calms the dispute. 19The way of the sluggard is like a hedge of thorns, but the way of the upright is a highway. 20A wise son makes a glad father, but a foolish man despises his mother. 21Folly is joy to him who is without heart, but a man of understanding walks uprightly. 22Without counsel, plans are frustrated, but in the multitude of counselors they are established. 23A man has joy by the answer of his mouth, and a word in due season, how good it is! 24The way of life is upward to the wise, so that he may turn away from Sheol below. 25Jehovah will destroy the house of the proud, but He will establish the territory of the widow. 26The thoughts of the wicked are an abomination to Jehovah, but the words of the pure are pleasant. 27He who is greedy for gain troubles his own house, but he who hates bribes shall live. 28The heart of the righteous studies how to answer, but the mouth of the wicked pours forth evil. 29Jehovah is far from the wicked, but He hears the prayer of the righteous. 30The light of the eyes rejoices the heart; a good report makes the bones fat. 31The ear that hears the reproof of life shall remain among the wise. 32He who neglects instruction despises his own soul, but he who heeds reproof gets understanding. 33The fear of Jehovah is the instruction of wisdom, and before honor is humility.