¹A gentle answer turns wrath away,

But a grievous word arouses anger.

²The tongue of the wise makes good use of knowledge,

But the mouth of fools utters stupidity.

³The eyes of the Lord are in every place,

Observing the bad and the good.

⁴A calming tongue is a tree of life,

But perverseness with the tongue is spiritual shipwreck.

⁵A fool scorns his father's correction,

But he who respects reproof will act prudently.

⁶The house of the righteous man is great wealth,

But the income of the wicked man will bring trouble.

⁷The lips of the wise broadcast knowledge,

But the heart of fools is dishonest.

⁸The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination to the Lord,

But the prayer of the upright is his delight.

⁹The way of the wicked man is an abomination to the Lord,

But he loves him who pursues righteousness.

¹⁰Correction is baneful to him who leaves the way,

And he who hates reproof will die.

¹¹The grave and destruction are before the Lord;

How much more the hearts of the sons of Adam!

¹²The mocker does not love him who reproves him;

He does not go to the wise.

¹³A joyful heart makes the face cheerful,

But in a sorrowful heart is a dejected spirit.

¹⁴An astute mind seeks knowledge,

But a fool's face feeds on nonsense.

¹⁵All the days of a poor man are bad,

But he of a good heart has a continual banquet.

¹⁶It is better to have little,

With fear of the Lord,

Than great treasure,

But turmoil with it.

¹⁷A meal of vegetables

Where there is love

Is better than a fatted ox

Where there is hatred.

¹⁸A bad-tempered man will stir up strife,

But forbearance quietens a quarrel.

¹⁹The way of the lazy is a hedge of thorns,

But the path of the upright is a highway.

²⁰A wise son brings joy to the father,

But a foolish man despises his mother.

²¹Foolishness is joy to the weak-minded,

But a man of understanding walks in uprightness.

²²Projects fail for lack of consultation,

But you will prosper if you have plenty of counsellors.

²³A man's joy comes from the aptness of his speech,

And how good a word in season is!

²⁴The way of life to the sensible is upwards,

So as to avoid the grave below.

²⁵The Lord will pluck the house of the proud away,

But he will appoint an estate for the widow.

²⁶The thoughts of the evil man are an abomination to the Lord,

But pleasant words are pure.

²⁷He who engages in robbery

Brings trouble on his household,

But he who hates bribes

Will live.

²⁸A righteous heart meditates on how to give an answer,

But the mouth of the wicked exudes evil things.

²⁹The Lord is far away from the wicked,

But he hears the prayer of the righteous.

³⁰The light of the eyes makes the heart glad,

And a good report heard nourishes a person.

³¹An ear that hears reproof which gives life

Will dwell in the company of the wise.

³²He who disregards correction

Rejects his own self,

But he who heeds reproof

Acquires inward understanding.

³³The fear of the Lord yields wise reproof,

And before honour can come,

Meekness is warranted.