A asoft answer turns away wrath,
But ba harsh word stirs up anger.
2 The tongue of the wise uses knowledge rightly,
aBut the mouth of fools pours forth foolishness.
3 aThe eyes of the Lord are in every place,
Keeping watch on the evil and the good.
4 A wholesome tongue is a tree of life,
But perverseness in it breaks the spirit.
5 aA fool despises his father’s instruction,
bBut he who receives correction is prudent.
6 In the house of the righteous there is much treasure,
But in the revenue of the wicked is trouble.
7 The lips of the wise disperse knowledge,
But the heart of the fool does not do so.
8 aThe 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 to the Lord,
But He loves him who afollows righteousness.
10 aHarsh discipline is for him who forsakes the way,
And bhe who hates correction will die.
11 aHell and Destruction are before the Lord;
So how much more bthe hearts of the sons of men.
12 aA scoffer does not love one who corrects him,
Nor will he go to the wise.
13 aA merry heart makes a cheerful countenance,
But bby sorrow of the heart the spirit is broken.
14 The heart of him who has understanding seeks knowledge,
But the mouth of fools feeds on foolishness.
15 All the days of the afflicted are evil,
aBut he who is of a merry heart has a continual feast.
16 aBetter is a little with the fear of the Lord,
Than great treasure with trouble.
17 aBetter is a dinner of herbs where love is,
Than a fatted calf with hatred.
18 aA wrathful man stirs up strife,
But he who is slow to anger allays contention.
19 aThe way of the lazy man is like a hedge of thorns,
But the way of the upright is a highway.
20 aA wise son makes a father glad,
But a foolish man despises his mother.
21 aFolly is joy to him who is destitute of discernment,
bBut a man of understanding walks uprightly.
22 aWithout counsel, plans go awry,
But in the multitude of counselors they are established.
23 A man has joy by the answer of his mouth,
And aa word spoken in due season, how good it is!
24 aThe way of life winds upward for the wise,
That he may bturn away from hell below.
25 aThe Lord will destroy the house of the proud,
But bHe will establish the boundary of the widow.
26 aThe thoughts of the wicked are an abomination to the Lord,
bBut the words of the pure are pleasant.
27 aHe who is greedy for gain troubles his own house,
But he who hates bribes will live.
28 The heart of the righteous astudies how to answer,
But the mouth of the wicked pours forth evil.
29 aThe Lord is far from the wicked,
But bHe hears the prayer of the righteous.
30 The light of the eyes rejoices the heart,
And a good report makes the bones healthy.
31 The ear that hears the rebukes of life
Will abide among the wise.
32 He who disdains instruction despises his own soul,
But he who heeds rebuke gets understanding.
33 aThe fear of the Lord is the instruction of wisdom,
And bbefore honor is humility.
The Holy Bible, New King James Version, Copyright © 1982 Thomas Nelson.
All rights reserved.