A Gentle Answer Turns Away Wrath

¹ A gentle answer turns away wrath,

but a harsh word stirs up anger.

² The tongue of the wise commends knowledge,

but the mouth of the fool spouts folly.

³ The eyes of the LORD are in every place,

observing the evil and the good.

⁴ A soothing^* tongue is a tree of life,

but a perverse tongue crushes^* the spirit.

⁵ A fool rejects his father’s discipline,

but whoever heeds correction is prudent.

⁶ The house of the righteous has great treasure,

but the income of the wicked is trouble.^*

⁷ The lips of the wise spread knowledge,

but not so the hearts of fools.

⁸ The sacrifice of the wicked is detestable to the LORD,

but the prayer of the upright is His delight.

⁹ The LORD detests the way of the wicked,

but He loves those who pursue righteousness.

¹⁰ Discipline is harsh for him who leaves the path;

he who hates correction will die.

¹¹ Sheol and Abaddon lie open before the LORD—

how much more the hearts of men!

¹² A mocker does not love to be reproved,

nor will he consult the wise.

¹³ A joyful heart makes a cheerful countenance,

but sorrow of the heart crushes the spirit.

¹⁴ A discerning heart seeks knowledge,

but the mouth of a fool feeds on folly.

¹⁵ All the days of the oppressed are bad,

but a cheerful heart has a continual feast.

¹⁶ Better a little with the fear of the LORD

than great treasure with turmoil.

¹⁷ Better a dish of vegetables where there is love

than a fattened ox with hatred.

¹⁸ A hot-tempered man stirs up strife,

but he who is slow to anger calms dispute.

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

but the path of the upright is a highway.

²⁰ A wise son brings joy to his father,

but a foolish man despises his mother.

²¹ Folly is joy to one who lacks judgment,

but a man of understanding walks a straight path.

²² Plans fail for lack of counsel,

but with many advisers they succeed.

²³ A man takes joy in a fitting reply —

and how good is a timely word!

²⁴ The path of life leads upward for the wise,

that he may avoid going down to Sheol.

²⁵ The LORD tears down the house of the proud,

but He protects the boundaries of the widow.

²⁶ The LORD detests the thoughts of the wicked,

but the words of the pure are pleasant to Him.

²⁷ He who is greedy for unjust gain brings trouble on his household,

but he who hates bribes will live.

²⁸ The heart of the righteous ponders^* how to answer,

but the mouth of the wicked blurts out evil.

²⁹ The LORD is far from the wicked,

but He hears the prayer of the righteous.

³⁰ The light^* of the eyes cheers the heart,

and good news nourishes the bones.

³¹ He who listens to life-giving reproof

will dwell among the wise.

³² He who ignores discipline despises himself,

but whoever heeds correction gains understanding.

³³ The fear of the LORD is the instruction of wisdom,

and humility comes before honor.