1 A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.
2 The tongue of the wise treats knowledge correctly, but the mouth of fools spouts folly.
3 The eyes of Adonai are everywhere, observing the wicked and the good.
4 A healing tongue is a tree of life, but a deceitful one crushes the spirit.
5 A fool despises his father’s discipline, but one who accepts reproof is smart.
6 The house of the righteous has great wealth, but the income of the wicked brings trouble.
7 The lips of the wise spread knowledge, but not so the heart of fools.
8 The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination to Adonai, but the prayer of the upright pleases him.
9 Adonai detests the way of the wicked, but loves those who pursue righteousness.
10 Stern correction awaits one who forsakes the way. One who hates reproof will die.
11 Sheol and Abaddon are before Adonai— how much more the hearts of people!
12 A mocker dislikes one who corrects him; he will not go to the wise.
13 A joyful heart makes the face cheerful, but heartache crushes the spirit.
14 A discerning heart seeks knowledge, but the mouth of fools feeds on folly.
15 All the days of the afflicted are bad, but a cheerful heart has a continual feast.
16 Better is little with the fear of Adonai than great wealth with turmoil.
17 Better a meal of vegetables where there is love, than a fattened ox where there is hatred.
18 A hot-tempered man stirs up strife, but one who is slow to anger calms a quarrel.
19 The way of the slacker is a hedge of thorns, but the path of the upright is a highway.
20 A wise child brings joy to his father, but a foolish person despises his mother.
21 Folly is joy to one who lacks sense, but one with discernment walks straight.
22 Plans fail when there is no counsel, but with many advisers they succeed.
23 A person has joy in an appropriate answer— how good is a timely word.
24 The path of life leads upward for the wise to keep him from going down to Sheol.
25 Adonai tears down a proud man’s house, but He maintains the widow’s boundary.
26 Evil thoughts are an abomination to Adonai, but pleasant words are pure.
27 One greedy for gain troubles his household, but whoever hates bribes will live.
28 A righteous heart thinks before answering, but a wicked mouth blurts out evil things.
29 Adonai is far from the wicked, but hears the prayer of the righteous.
30 Bright eyes bring joy to the heart. Good news gives health to the bones.
31 One whose ear heeds a life-giving reproof dwells among the wise.
32 Whoever avoids correction despises himself, but whoever heeds reproof acquires understanding.
33 The fear of Adonai is the discipline of wisdom, and humility comes before honor.