A Gentle Answer Turns Away Wrath

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

2The tongue of the wise uses knowledge aright: but the mouth of fools pours out foolishness.

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

4A wholesome tongue is a tree of life: but perverseness therein is a breach in the spirit.

5A fool despises his father's instruction: but he that regards reproof is prudent.

6In the house of the righteous is much treasure: but in the revenues of the wicked is trouble.

7The lips of the wise disperse knowledge: but the heart of the foolish does 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 him that follows after righteousness.

10Correction is grievous to him that forsakes the way: and he that hates reproof shall die.

11Hell and destruction are before the LORD: how much more then the hearts of the children of men?

12A scorner loves not one that reproves him: neither will he go to the wise.

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

14The heart of him that has understanding seeks knowledge: but the mouth of fools feeds on foolishness.

15All the days of the afflicted are evil: but he that is of a merry heart has a continual feast.

16Better is little with the fear of the LORD than great treasure and trouble therewith.

17Better is a dinner of herbs where love is, than a stalled ox and hatred therewith.

18A wrathful man stirs up strife: but he that is slow to anger appeases strife.

19The way of the slothful man is as an hedge of thorns: but the way of the righteous is made plain.

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

21Folly is joy to him that is destitute of wisdom: but a man of understanding walks uprightly.

22Without counsel purposes are disappointed: but in the multitude of counsellors they are established.

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

24The way of life is above to the wise, that he may depart from hell beneath.

25The LORD will destroy the house of the proud: but he will establish the border of the widow.

26The thoughts of the wicked are an abomination to the LORD: but the words of the pure are pleasant words.

27He that is greedy of gain troubles his own house; but he that hates gifts shall live.

28The heart of the righteous studies 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.

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

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

32He that refuses instruction despises his own soul: but he that hears reproof gets understanding.

33The fear of the LORD is the instruction of wisdom; and before honor is humility.