1 A gentle response deflects fury,
but a harsh word makes tempers rise.
2 The tongue of the wise presents knowledge well,
but the mouth of a fool spews out folly.
3 The eyes ofAdonaiare everywhere,
watching the evil and the good.
4 A soothing tongue is a tree of life,
but when it twists things, it breaks the spirit.
5 A fool despises his father’s discipline,
but he who heeds warnings is prudent.
6 The home of the righteous is a storehouse of treasure,
but the earnings of the wicked bring trouble.
7 The lips of the wise spread knowledge;
not so the hearts of fools.
8 Adonaidetests the sacrifices of the wicked
but delights in the prayers of the upright.
9 Adonaidetests the way of the wicked
but loves anyone who pursues righteousness.
10 Discipline is severe for one who leaves the way,
and whoever can’t stand correction will die.
11 Sh’ol and Abaddon lie open toAdonai;
so how much more people’s hearts!
12 A scorner does not like being corrected;
he won’t go to the wise [for advice].
13 A glad heart makes a face happy,
but heartache breaks the spirit.
14 The mind of a person with discernment seeks knowledge,
but the mouth of a fool feeds on folly.
15 For the poor, every day is hard;
but the good-hearted have a perpetual feast.
16 Better little with the fear ofAdonai
than great wealth coupled with worry.
17 Better a vegetable dinner with love
than a stall-fattened ox with hate.
18 Hot-tempered people stir up strife,
but patient people quiet quarrels.
19 The lazy person’s way seems overgrown by thorns,
but the path of the upright is a level highway.
20 A wise son is a joy to his father,
and only a fool despises his mother.
21 Folly appeals to one who lacks sense,
but a person of discernment goes straight ahead.
22 Without deliberation, plans go wrong;
but with many advisers, they succeed.
23 People take pleasure in anything they say;
but a word at the right time, how good it is!
24 For the prudent, the path of life goes upward;
thus he avoids Sh’ol below.
25 Adonaiwill pull down the houses of the proud,
but preserves intact the widow’s boundaries.
26 Adonaidetests plans to do evil,
but kind words are pure.
27 The greedy for gain brings trouble to his home,
but he who hates bribes will live.
28 The mind of the righteous thinks before speaking,
but the mouth of the wicked spews out evil stuff.
29 Adonaiis far from the wicked,
but he listens to the prayer of the righteous.
30 A cheerful glance brings joy to the heart,
and good news invigorates the bones.
31 He who heeds life-giving correction
will be at home in the company of the wise.
32 He who spurns discipline detests himself,
but he who listens to correction grows in understanding.
33 The discipline of wisdom is fear ofAdonai,
so before being honored, a person must be humble.