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

² The tongue of the wise useth knowledge aright:
but the mouth of fools poureth out foolishness.

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

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

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

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

⁷ The lips of the wise disperse knowledge:
but the heart of the foolish doeth not so.

⁸ The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination to the LORD:
but the prayer of the upright is his delight.

⁹ The way of the wicked is an abomination unto the LORD:
but he loveth him that followeth after righteousness.

¹⁰ Correction is grievous unto him that forsaketh the way:
and he that hateth reproof shall die.

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

¹² A scorner loveth not one that reproveth him:
neither will he go unto the wise.

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

¹⁴ The heart of him that hath understanding seeketh knowledge:
but the mouth of fools feedeth on foolishness.

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

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

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

¹⁸ A wrathful man stirreth up strife:
but he that is slow to anger appeaseth strife.

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

²⁰ A wise son maketh a glad father:
but a foolish man despiseth his mother.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

²⁸ The heart of the righteous studieth to answer:
but the mouth of the wicked poureth out evil things.

²⁹ The LORD is far from the wicked:
but he heareth the prayer of the righteous.

³⁰ The light of the eyes rejoiceth the heart:
and a good report maketh the bones fat.

³¹ The ear that heareth the reproof of life
abideth among the wise.

³² He that refuseth instruction despiseth his own soul:
but he that heareth reproof getteth understanding.

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