1 A soft answer turneth back fury, And a grievous word raiseth up anger.

A soft answer turneth away wrath; But a grievous word stirreth up anger.

2 T he tongue of the wise maketh knowledge good, And the mouth of fools uttereth folly.

The tongue of the wise uttereth knowledge aright; But the mouth of fools poureth out folly.

3 I n every place are the eyes of Jehovah, Watching the evil and the good.

The eyes of Jehovah are in every place, Keeping watch upon the evil and the good.

4 A healed tongue a tree of life, And perverseness in it -- a breach in the spirit.

A gentle tongue is a tree of life; But perverseness therein is a breaking of the spirit.

5 A fool despiseth the instruction of his father, And whoso is regarding reproof is prudent.

A fool despiseth his father's correction; But he that regardeth reproof getteth prudence.

6 t he house of the righteous abundant strength, And in the increase of the wicked -- trouble.

In the house of the righteous is much treasure; But in the revenues of the wicked is trouble.

7 T he lips of the wise scatter knowledge, And the heart of fools not right.

The lips of the wise disperse knowledge; But the heart of the foolish doeth not so.

8 T he sacrifice of the wicked an abomination to Jehovah, And the prayer of the upright His delight.

The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination to Jehovah; But the prayer of the upright is his delight.

9 A n abomination to Jehovah the way of the wicked, And whoso is pursuing righteousness He loveth.

The way of the wicked is an abomination to Jehovah; But he loveth him that followeth after righteousness.

10 C hastisement grievous to him who is forsaking the path, Whoso is hating reproof dieth.

There is grievous correction for him that forsaketh the way; And he that hateth reproof shall die.

11 S heol and destruction before Jehovah, Surely also the hearts of the sons of men.

Sheol and Abaddon are before Jehovah: How much more then the hearts of the children of men!

12 A scorner loveth not his reprover, Unto the wise he goeth not.

A scoffer loveth not to be reproved; He will not go unto the wise.

13 A joyful heart maketh glad the face, And by grief of heart is the spirit smitten.

A glad heart maketh a cheerful countenance; But by sorrow of heart the spirit is broken.

14 T he heart of the intelligent seeketh knowledge, And the mouth of fools enjoyeth folly.

The heart of him that hath understanding seeketh knowledge; But the mouth of fools feedeth on folly.

15 A ll the days of the afflicted evil, And gladness of heart a perpetual banquet.

All the days of the afflicted are evil; But he that is of a cheerful heart hath a continual feast.

16 B etter a little with the fear of Jehovah, Than much treasure, and tumult with it.

Better is little, with the fear of Jehovah, Than great treasure and trouble therewith.

17 B etter an allowance of green herbs and love there, Than a fatted ox, and hatred with it.

Better is a dinner of herbs, where love is, Than a stalled ox and hatred therewith.

18 A man of fury stirreth up contention, And the slow to anger appeaseth strife.

A wrathful man stirreth up contention; But he that is slow to anger appeaseth strife.

19 T he way of the slothful as a hedge of briers, And the path of the upright is raised up.

The way of the sluggard is as a hedge of thorns; But the path of the upright is made a highway.

20 A wise son rejoiceth a father. And a foolish man is despising his mother.

A wise son maketh a glad father; But a foolish man despiseth his mother.

21 F olly is joy to one lacking heart, And a man of intelligence directeth going.

Folly is joy to him that is void of wisdom; But a man of understanding maketh straight his going.

22 W ithout counsel the making void of purposes, And in a multitude of counsellors it is established.

Where there is no counsel, purposes are disappointed; But in the multitude of counsellors they are established.

23 J oy to a man in the answer of his mouth, And a word in its season -- how good!

A man hath joy in the answer of his mouth; And a word in due season, how good is it!

24 A path of life on high for the wise, To turn aside from Sheol beneath.

To the wise the way of life goeth upward, That he may depart from Sheol beneath.

25 T he house of the proud Jehovah pulleth down, And He setteth up the border of the widow.

Jehovah will root up the house of the proud; But he will establish the border of the widow.

26 A n abomination to Jehovah thoughts of wickedness, And pure sayings of pleasantness.

Evil devices are an abomination to Jehovah; But pleasant words are pure.

27 A dishonest gainer is troubling his house, And whoso is hating gifts liveth.

He that is greedy of gain troubleth his own house; But he that hateth bribes shall live.

28 T he heart of the righteous meditateth to answer, And the mouth of the wicked uttereth evil things.

The heart of the righteous studieth to answer; But the mouth of the wicked poureth out evil things.

29 F ar Jehovah from the wicked, And the prayer of the righteous He heareth.

Jehovah is far from the wicked; But he heareth the prayer of the righteous.

30 T he light of the eyes rejoiceth the heart, A good report maketh fat the bone.

The light of the eyes rejoiceth the heart; And good tidings make the bones fat.

31 A n ear that is hearing the reproof of life Doth lodge among the wise.

The ear that hearkeneth to the reproof of life Shall abide among the wise.

32 W hoso is refusing instruction is despising his soul, And whoso is hearing reproof Is getting understanding.

He that refuseth correction despiseth his own soul; But he that hearkeneth to reproof getteth understanding.

33 T he fear of Jehovah the instruction of wisdom, And before honour humility!

The fear of Jehovah is the instruction of wisdom; And before honor goeth humility.