1 A soft answer turns away wrath, but grievous words stir up anger.

2 The tongue of the wise uses knowledge rightly, but the mouth of fools pours out foolishness.

3 The eyes of Jehovah are in every place, keeping watch over the evil and the good.

4 A wholesome tongue is a tree of life, but perverseness in it is a break in the spirit.

5 A fool despises his father’s instruction, but he who restrains himself because of reproof is prudent.

6 In the house of the righteous is much treasure, but in the revenue of the wicked is trouble.

7 The lips of the wise disperse knowledge, but the heart of the fool is not so.

8 The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination to Jehovah, but the prayer of the upright is His delight.

9 The way of the wicked is an abomination to Jehovah, but He loves him who pursues righteousness.

10 Correction is grievous to him who forsakes the way; he who hates reproof shall die.

11 Sheol and Abaddon are before Jehovah; even more, the hearts of the sons of men.

12 A scorner does not love one who corrects him, nor will he go to the wise.

13 A merry heart makes a cheerful face, but by sorrow of heart the spirit is broken.

14 The heart of him who has understanding seeks knowledge, but the mouth of fools feeds on folly.

15 All the days of the afflicted are evil, but gladness of heart is a continual feast.

16 Better is a little with the fear of Jehovah than great treasure and turmoil with it.

17 Better is a dinner of vegetables where love is, than a fattened cow and hatred with it.

18 A wrathful man stirs up strife, but one who is slow to anger calms the dispute.

19 The way of the sluggard is like a hedge of thorns, but the way of the upright is a highway.

20 A wise son makes a glad father, but a foolish man despises his mother.

21 Folly is joy to him who is without heart, but a man of understanding walks uprightly.

22 Without counsel, plans are frustrated, but in the multitude of counselors they are established.

23 A man has joy by the answer of his mouth, and a word in due season, how good it is!

24 The way of life is upward to the wise, so that he may turn away from Sheol below.

25 Jehovah will destroy the house of the proud, but He will establish the territory of the widow.

26 The thoughts of the wicked are an abomination to Jehovah, but the words of the pure are pleasant.

27 He who is greedy for gain troubles his own house, but he who hates bribes shall live.

28 The heart of the righteous studies how to answer, but the mouth of the wicked pours forth evil.

29 Jehovah is far from the wicked, but He hears the prayer of the righteous.

30 The light of the eyes rejoices the heart; a good report makes the bones fat.

31 The ear that hears the reproof of life shall remain among the wise.

32 He who neglects instruction despises his own soul, but he who heeds reproof gets understanding.

33 The fear of Jehovah is the instruction of wisdom, and before honor is humility.