1 A soft answer turns away wrath, but grievous words stir up anger. 2 The tongue of the wise shall adorn wisdom, but the mouth of fools shall speak foolishness. 3 The eyes of the LORD are in every place, beholding those who are evil and those who are good. 4 The wholesome tongue is a tree of life, but perverseness therein is a breach in the spirit. 5 The fool despises his father’s chastening, but he that regards reproof shall become prudent. 6 In the house of the righteous is much provision, but in the fruit of the wicked is trouble. 7 The lips of the wise disperse wisdom, but the heart of the foolish does 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 loves him that follows after righteousness. 10 Chastening is grievous unto him that forsakes the way, but he that hates reproof shall die. 11 Sheol and hell are before the LORD; how much more then the hearts of men? 12 The scorner does not love the one that reproves him, neither will he go unto the wise. 13 A joyful heart makes a beautiful countenance, but by sorrow of the heart the spirit is abated. 14 The heart of him that has understanding seeks wisdom, but the mouth of fools feeds on foolishness. 15 All the days of the poor are difficult, but he that is of a good heart has 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 vegetables where love is than a fatted calf and hatred therewith. 18 A wrathful man stirs up strife, but he that is slow to anger appeases strife. 19 The way of the slothful man is as a hedge of thorns, but the path of the righteous is made plain. 20 The wise son makes a glad father, but the foolish man despises his mother. 21 Folly is joy to him that is destitute of understanding, but the man who is intelligent walks uprightly. 22 Without counsel purposes are disappointed, but in the multitude of counsellors they are established. 23 A man has joy by the answer of his mouth, and a word spoken in due season, how good it is! 24 The way of life is uphill to the wise, that he may separate himself from Sheol below. 25 The LORD will destroy the house of the proud, but he will establish the inheritance of the widow. 26 The thoughts of the wicked are an abomination to the LORD, but the speech of the pure is pure. 27 He that is greedy of gain troubles his own house, but he that hates gifts shall live. 28 The heart of the righteous studies to answer, but the mouth of the wicked pours out evil things. 29 The LORD is far from the wicked, but he hears the prayer of the righteous. 30 The light of the eyes rejoices the heart, and a good report makes the bones fat. 31 The ear that hears the reproof of life shall abide among the wise. 32 He that refuses chastening despises his own soul, but he that hears reproof has an understanding heart. 33 The fear of the LORD is the instruction of wisdom, and before honour is humility.