A Gentle Answer Turns Away Wrath

1A gentle answer turns away wrath,

but a harsh word stirs up anger.

2The tongue of the wise commends knowledge,

but the mouth of the fool spouts folly.

3The eyes of the LORD are in every place,

observing the evil and the good.

4A soothing tongue is a tree of life,

but a perverse tongue crushes the spirit.

5A fool rejects his father’s discipline,

but whoever heeds correction is prudent.

6The house of the righteous has great treasure,

but the income of the wicked is trouble.

7The lips of the wise spread knowledge,

but not so the hearts of fools.

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

but the prayer of the upright is His delight.

9The LORD detests the way of the wicked,

but He loves those who pursue righteousness.

10Discipline is harsh for him who leaves the path;

he who hates correction will die.

11Sheol and Abaddona lie open before the LORD—

how much more the hearts of men!

12A mocker does not love to be reproved,

nor will he consult the wise.

13A joyful heart makes a cheerful countenance,

but sorrow of the heart crushes the spirit.

14A discerning heart seeks knowledge,

but the mouth of a fool feeds on folly.

15All the days of the oppressed are bad,

but a cheerful heart has a continual feast.

16Better a little with the fear of the LORD

than great treasure with turmoil.

17Better a dish of vegetables where there is love

than a fattened ox with hatred.

18A hot-tempered man stirs up strife,

but he who is slow to anger calms dispute.

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

but the path of the upright is a highway.

20A wise son brings joy to his father,

but a foolish man despises his mother.

21Folly is joy to one who lacks judgment,

but a man of understanding walks a straight path.

22Plans fail for lack of counsel,

but with many advisers they succeed.

23A man takes joy in a fitting reply—

and how good is a timely word!

24The path of life leads upward for the wise,

that he may avoid going down to Sheol.

25The LORD tears down the house of the proud,

but He protects the boundaries of the widow.

26The LORD detests the thoughts of the wicked,

but the words of the pure are pleasant to Him.

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

but he who hates bribes will live.

28The heart of the righteous ponders how to answer,

but the mouth of the wicked blurts out evil.

29The LORD is far from the wicked,

but He hears the prayer of the righteous.

30The light of the eyes cheers the heart,

and good news nourishes the bones.

31He who listens to life-giving reproof

will dwell among the wise.

32He who ignores discipline despises himself,

but whoever heeds correction gains understanding.

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

and humility comes before honor.