1A gentle response turns away anger,

but a harsh word stirs up wrath.

2The tongue of the wise treats knowledge correctly,

but the mouth of the fool spouts out folly.

3The eyes of the Lord are in every place,

keeping watch on those who are evil and those who are good.

4Speech that heals is like a life-giving tree,

but a perverse tongue breaks the spirit.

5A fool rejects his father’s discipline,

but whoever heeds reproof shows good sense.

6In the house of the righteous is abundant wealth,

but the income of the wicked brings trouble.

7The lips of the wise spread knowledge,

but not so the heart of fools.

8The Lord abhors the sacrifices of the wicked,

but the prayer of the upright pleases him.

9The Lord abhors the way of the wicked,

but he loves those who pursue righteousness.

10Severe discipline is for the one who abandons the way;

the one who hates reproof will die.

11Death and Destruction are before the Lord –

how much more the hearts of humans!

12The scorner does not love one who corrects him;

he will not go to the wise.

13A joyful heart makes the face cheerful,

but by a painful heart the spirit is broken.

14The discerning heart seeks knowledge,

but the mouth of fools feeds on folly.

15All the days of the afflicted are bad,

but one with a cheerful heart has a continual feast.

16Better is little with the fear of the Lord

than great wealth and turmoil with it.

17Better a meal of vegetables where there is love

than a fattened ox where there is hatred.

18A quick-tempered person stirs up dissension,

but one who is slow to anger calms a quarrel.

19The way of the sluggard is like a hedge of thorns,

but the path of the upright is like a highway.

20A wise child brings joy to his father,

but a foolish person despises his mother.

21Folly is a joy to one who lacks sense,

but one who has understanding follows an upright course.

22Plans fail when there is no counsel,

but with abundant advisers they are established.

23A person has joy in giving an appropriate answer,

and a word at the right time – how good it is!

24The path of life is upward for the wise person,

to keep him from going downward to Sheol.

25The Lord tears down the house of the proud,

but he maintains the boundaries of the widow.

26The Lord abhors the plans of the wicked,

but pleasant words are pure.

27The one who is greedy for gain troubles his household,

but whoever hates bribes will live.

28The heart of the righteous considers 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.

30A bright look brings joy to the heart,

and good news gives health to the body.

31The person who hears the reproof that leads to life

is at home among the wise.

32The one who refuses correction despises himself,

but whoever hears reproof acquires understanding.

33The fear of the Lord provides wise instruction,

and before honor comes humility.