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

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

3Adonai’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 upright 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 Adonai, but the prayer of the upright is his delight.

9The way of the wicked is an abomination to Adonai, but he 'ahav ·affectionately loves· him who follows after righteousness.

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

11Sheol ·Place of the dead· and Abaddon ·Destruction, Unrighteous side of Sheol· are before Adonai, how much more then the hearts of the children of men!

12A scoffer does not 'ahav ·affectionately 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 Adonai, 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 ·Place of the dead·.

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

26Adonai 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 upright weighs answers, but the mouth of the wicked gushes out evil.

29Adonai is far from the wicked, but he sh'ma ·hears obeys· the prayer of the upright. ¹³

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

31The ear that sh'ma ·hears obeys· reproof lives, and will be at home among the wise.

32He who refuses correction despises his own soul, but he who sh'ma ·hears obeys· reproof gets understanding.

33The fear of Adonai teaches wisdom. Before kavod ·weighty glory· is humility.