1
1A soft answer turns away wrath, but
2a harsh word stirs up anger.
2
The tongue of the wise commends knowledge, but
3the mouths of fools pour out folly.
3
4The eyes of the LORD are in every place, keeping watch on the evil and the good.
4
5A gentle tongue is
6a tree of life, but
7perverseness in it breaks the spirit.
5
8A fool
9despises his father's instruction, but
10whoever heeds reproof is prudent.
6
In the house of the righteous there is much treasure, but trouble befalls the income of the wicked.
7
11The lips of the wise spread knowledge;
12not so the hearts of fools.
8
13The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination to the LORD, but
14the prayer of the upright is acceptable to him.
9
The way of the wicked is an abomination to the LORD, but he loves him
15who pursues righteousness.
10
There is
16severe discipline for him who forsakes the way;
17whoever hates reproof will die.
11
Sheol and Abaddon lie open before the LORD; how much more
18the hearts of the children of man!
12
19A scoffer
20does not like to be reproved; he will not go to the wise.
13
21A glad heart makes a cheerful face, but by
22sorrow of heart the spirit is
23crushed.
14
24The heart of him who has understanding seeks knowledge, but the mouths of fools feed on folly.
15
All the days of the afflicted are evil, but
25the cheerful of heart has a continual feast.
16
26Better is a little with the fear of the LORD than great treasure and trouble with it.