1  ^zA soft answer turns away wrath,

but a harsh word stirs up anger.

2  ^aThe tongue of the wise commends knowledge,

but the mouths of fools pour out folly.

3  ^bThe eyes of the Lord are in every place,

keeping watch on the evil and the good.

4  ^cA gentle¹ tongue is a ^dtree of life,

but perverseness in it breaks the spirit.

5  A fool ^edespises his father’s ^finstruction,

but whoever ^gheeds reproof is prudent.

6  In ^hthe house of the righteous there is much treasure,

but trouble befalls the income of the wicked.

7  The lips of the wise spread knowledge;

not so the hearts of fools.²

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

^jbut the prayer of the upright is acceptable to him.

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

but he loves him who pursues righteousness.

10  There is severe discipline for him who forsakes the way;

whoever ^khates reproof will die.

11  Sheol and Abaddon lie ^lopen before the Lord;

how much more ^mthe hearts of the children of man!

12  A scoffer does not like to be reproved;

he will not go to the wise.

13  ⁿA glad heart makes a cheerful face,

but ^oby sorrow of heart the spirit is ^pcrushed.

14  The 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 the cheerful of heart has a continual feast.

16  ^qBetter is a little with the fear of the Lord

than great treasure and trouble with it.

17  ^rBetter is a dinner of herbs where love is

than a fattened ox and hatred with it.

18  ^sA hot-tempered man stirs up strife,

but he who is ^tslow to anger quiets contention.