A Gentle Answer Turns Away Wrath

1A soft answer turneth back fury, And a grievous word raiseth up anger.

2The tongue of the wise maketh knowledge good, And the mouth of fools uttereth folly.

3In every place are the eyes of Jehovah, Watching the evil and the good.

4A healed tongue [is] a tree of life, And perverseness in it — a breach in the spirit.

5A fool despiseth the instruction of his father, And whoso is regarding reproof is prudent.

6[In] the house of the righteous [is] abundant strength, And in the increase of the wicked — trouble.

7The lips of the wise scatter knowledge, And the heart of fools [is] not right.

8The sacrifice of the wicked [is] an abomination to Jehovah, And the prayer of the upright [is] His delight.

9An abomination to Jehovah [is] the way of the wicked, And whoso is pursuing righteousness He loveth.

10Chastisement [is] grievous to him who is forsaking the path, Whoso is hating reproof dieth.

11Sheol and destruction [are] before Jehovah, Surely also the hearts of the sons of men.

12A scorner loveth not his reprover, Unto the wise he goeth not.

13A joyful heart maketh glad the face, And by grief of heart is the spirit smitten.

14The heart of the intelligent seeketh knowledge, And the mouth of fools enjoyeth folly.

15All the days of the afflicted [are] evil, And gladness of heart [is] a perpetual banquet.

16Better [is] a little with the fear of Jehovah, Than much treasure, and tumult with it.

17Better [is] an allowance of green herbs and love there, Than a fatted ox, and hatred with it.

18A man of fury stirreth up contention, And the slow to anger appeaseth strife.

19The way of the slothful [is] as a hedge of briers, And the path of the upright is raised up.

20A wise son rejoiceth a father. And a foolish man is despising his mother.

21Folly is joy to one lacking heart, And a man of intelligence directeth [his] going.

22Without counsel [is] the making void of purposes, And in a multitude of counsellors it is established.

23Joy [is] to a man in the answer of his mouth, And a word in its season — how good!

24A path of life [is] on high for the wise, To turn aside from Sheol beneath.

25The house of the proud Jehovah pulleth down, And He setteth up the border of the widow.

26An abomination to Jehovah [are] thoughts of wickedness, And pure [are] sayings of pleasantness.

27A dishonest gainer is troubling his house, And whoso is hating gifts liveth.

28The heart of the righteous meditateth to answer, And the mouth of the wicked uttereth evil things.

29Far [is] Jehovah from the wicked, And the prayer of the righteous He heareth.

30The light of the eyes rejoiceth the heart, A good report maketh fat the bone.

31An ear that is hearing the reproof of life Doth lodge among the wise.

32Whoso is refusing instruction is despising his soul, And whoso is hearing reproof Is getting understanding.

33The fear of Jehovah [is] the instruction of wisdom, And before honour [is] humility!