¶ A soft¹ answer turneth away wrath: but grievous² words stir up anger.

¶ The tongue³ of the wise useth knowledge aright: but the mouth of fools poureth⁴ out foolishness.

¶⁵The eyes of the LORD are in every place, beholding the evil and the good.

¶ A wholesome⁶ tongue is a tree⁷ of life: but perverseness therein is a breach⁸ in the spirit.

¶ A fool⁹ despiseth his father's instruction: but¹⁰ he that regardeth reproof is prudent.

¶ In the house¹¹ of the righteous is much treasure: but in the revenues¹² of the wicked is trouble.

¶ The lips¹³ of the wise disperse knowledge: but the heart¹⁴ of the foolish doeth not so.

¶ The sacrifice¹⁵ of the wicked is an abomination to the LORD: but the prayer¹⁶ of the upright is his delight.

¶ The way¹⁷ of the wicked is an abomination unto the LORD: but he loveth¹⁸ him that followeth after righteousness.

¶ Correction¹⁹ is grievous unto him that forsaketh the way: and he²⁰ that hateth reproof shall die.

¶ Hell²¹ and destruction are before the LORD: how much more then the hearts²² of the children of men?

¶ A scorner²³ loveth not one that reproveth him: neither²⁴ will he go unto the wise.

¶ A merry²⁵ heart maketh a cheerful countenance: but by²⁶ sorrow of the heart the spirit is broken.

¶ The heart²⁷ of him that hath understanding seeketh knowledge: but the mouth²⁸ of fools feedeth on foolishness.

¶ All²⁹ the days of the afflicted are evil: but³⁰ he that is of a merry heart hath a continual feast.

¶ Better is little³¹ with the fear of the LORD than great³² treasure and trouble therewith.

³³Better is a dinner of herbs where love is, than a stalled ox and hatred therewith.

¶ A wrathful³⁴ man stirreth up strife: but he³⁵ that is slow to anger appeaseth strife.

¶ The way of the slothful³⁶ man is as an hedge of thorns: but the way of the righteous³⁷ is made plain³⁸.

¶ A wise³⁹ son maketh a glad father: but a foolish man despiseth⁴⁰ his mother.

¶ Folly is joy⁴¹ to him that is destitute of wisdom⁴²: but a man⁴³ of understanding walketh uprightly.

¶⁴⁴Without counsel purposes are disappointed: but in the multitude of counsellors they are established.

¶ A man hath joy⁴⁵ by the answer of his mouth: and a word spoken in due season⁴⁶, how⁴⁷ good is it!

¶ The way⁴⁸ of life is above⁴⁹ to the wise, that⁵⁰ he may depart from hell beneath.

¶ The LORD will destroy⁵¹ the house of the proud: but⁵² he will establish the border of the widow.

¶ The thoughts⁵³ of the wicked are an abomination to the LORD: but⁵⁴ the words of the pure are pleasant words⁵⁵.

¶ He that is⁵⁶ greedy of gain troubleth his own house; but⁵⁷ he that hateth gifts shall live.

¶ The heart⁵⁸ of the righteous studieth to answer: but the mouth⁵⁹ of the wicked poureth out evil things.

¶ The LORD is far⁶⁰ from the wicked: but he heareth⁶¹ the prayer of the righteous.

¶ The light⁶² of the eyes rejoiceth the heart: and a good⁶³ report maketh the bones⁶⁴ fat.

¶ The ear⁶⁵ that heareth the reproof of life abideth⁶⁶ among the wise.

¶ He that refuseth⁶⁷ instruction⁶⁸ despiseth his own soul: but he that heareth⁶⁹ reproof getteth understanding⁷⁰.

¶ The fear⁷¹ of the LORD is the instruction of wisdom; and⁷² before honour is humility.