Proverbs

1A gentle answer turns away wrath,but a harsh word stirs up anger.

2The tongue of the wise commends knowledge,but the mouths of fools gush out folly.

3The LORD’s eyes are everywhere,keeping watch on the evil and the good.

4A gentle tongue is a tree of life,but deceit in it crushes the spirit.

5A fool despises his father’s correction,but he who heeds reproof shows prudence.

6In the house of the righteous is much treasure,but the income of the wicked brings trouble.

7The lips of the wise spread knowledge;not so with the heart of fools.

8The sacrifice made by the wicked is an abomination to the LORD,but the prayer of the upright is his delight.

9The way of the wicked is an abomination to the LORD,but he loves him who follows after righteousness.

10There is stern discipline for one who forsakes the way.Whoever hates reproof shall die.

11Sheoland Abaddon are before the LORD—how much more then the hearts of the children of men!

12A scoffer doesn’t love to be reproved;he will not go to the wise.

13A glad heart makes a cheerful face,but an aching heart breaks the spirit.

14The heart of one who has understanding seeks knowledge,but the mouths of fools feed on folly.

15All the days of the afflicted are wretched,but one who has a cheerful heart enjoys a continual feast.

16Better is little, with the fear of the LORD,than great treasure with trouble.

17Better is a dinner of herbs, where love is,than a fattened calf with hatred.

18A wrathful man stirs up contention,but one who is slow to anger appeases strife.

19The way of the sluggard is like a thorn patch,but the path of the upright is a highway.

20A wise son makes a father glad,but a foolish man despises his mother.

21Folly is joy to one who is void of wisdom,but a man of understanding keeps his way straight.

22Where there is no counsel, plans fail;but in a multitude of counselors they are established.

23Joy comes to a man with the reply of his mouth.How good is a word at the right time!

24The path of life leads upward for the wise,to keep him from going downward to Sheol.

25The LORD will uproot the house of the proud,but he will keep the widow’s borders intact.

26The LORD detests the thoughts of the wicked,but the thoughts of the pure are pleasing.

27He who is greedy for gain troubles his own house,but he who hates bribes will live.

28The heart of the righteous weighs answers,but the mouth of the wicked gushes out evil.

29The LORD is far from the wicked,but he hears the prayer of the righteous.

30The light of the eyes rejoices the heart.Good news gives health to the bones.

31The ear that listens to reproof lives,and will be at home among the wise.

32He who refuses correction despises his own soul,but he who listens to reproof gets understanding.

33The fear of the LORD teaches wisdom.Before honor is humility.

A Gentle Answer Turns Away Wrath

1A gentle answer turns away wrath,but a harsh word stirs up anger.

2The tongue of the wise commends knowledge,but the mouth of the fool spouts folly.

3The eyes of the LORD are in every place,observing the evil and the good.

4A soothing tongue is a tree of life,but a perverse tongue crushes the spirit.

5A fool rejects his father’s discipline,but whoever heeds correction is prudent.

6The house of the righteous has great treasure,but the income of the wicked is trouble.

7The lips of the wise spread knowledge,but not so the hearts of fools.

8The sacrifice of the wicked is detestable to the LORD,but the prayer of the upright is His delight.

9The LORD detests the way of the wicked,but He loves those who pursue righteousness.

10Discipline is harsh for him who leaves the path;he who hates correction will die.

11Sheol and Abaddonlie open before the LORD—how much more the hearts of men!

12A mocker does not love to be reproved,nor will he consult the wise.

13A joyful heart makes a cheerful countenance,but sorrow of the heart crushes the spirit.

14A discerning heart seeks knowledge,but the mouth of a fool feeds on folly.

15All the days of the oppressed are bad,but a cheerful heart has a continual feast.

16Better a little with the fear of the LORDthan great treasure with turmoil.

17Better a dish of vegetables where there is lovethan a fattened ox with hatred.

18A hot-tempered man stirs up strife,but he who is slow to anger calms dispute.

19The way of the slacker is like a hedge of thorns,but the path of the upright is a highway.

20A wise son brings joy to his father,but a foolish man despises his mother.

21Folly is joy to one who lacks judgment,but a man of understanding walks a straight path.

22Plans fail for lack of counsel,but with many advisers they succeed.

23A man takes joy in a fitting reply—and how good is a timely word!

24The path of life leads upward for the wise,that he may avoid going down to Sheol.

25The LORD tears down the house of the proud,but He protects the boundaries of the widow.

26The LORD detests the thoughts of the wicked,but the words of the pure are pleasant to Him.

27He who is greedy for unjust gain brings trouble on his household,but he who hates bribes will live.

28The heart of the righteous ponders how to answer,but the mouth of the wicked blurts out evil.

29The LORD is far from the wicked,but He hears the prayer of the righteous.

30The light of the eyes cheers the heart,and good news nourishes the bones.

31He who listens to life-giving reproofwill dwell among the wise.

32He who ignores discipline despises himself,but whoever heeds correction gains understanding.

33The fear of the LORD is the instruction of wisdom,and humility comes before honor.