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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

11 Sheol and Abaddon are before Yahweh—
how much more then the hearts of the children of men!

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

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

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

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

16 Better is little, with the fear of Yahweh,
than great treasure with trouble. 17 Better is a dinner of herbs, where love is,
than a fattened calf with hatred.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

33 The fear of Yahweh teaches wisdom.
Before honor is humility.

Exhortations to Obedience

31 My son, don’t forget my teaching;
but let your heart keep my commandments: 2 for length of days, and years of life,
and peace, will they add to you. 3 Don’t let kindness and truth forsake you.
Bind them around your neck.
Write them on the tablet of your heart. 4 So you will find favor,
and good understanding in the sight of God and man. 5 Trust in Yahweh with all your heart,
and don’t lean on your own understanding. 6 In all your ways acknowledge him,
and he will make your paths straight.

7 Don’t be wise in your own eyes.
Fear Yahweh, and depart from evil. 8 It will be health to your body,
and nourishment to your bones. 9 Honor Yahweh with your substance,
with the first fruits of all your increase: 10 so your barns will be filled with plenty,
and your vats will overflow with new wine. 11 My son, don’t despise Yahweh’s discipline,
neither be weary of his reproof: 12 for whom Yahweh loves, he reproves;
even as a father reproves the son in whom he delights.

13 Happy is the man who finds wisdom,
the man who gets understanding. 14 For her good profit is better than getting silver,
and her return is better than fine gold. 15 She is more precious than rubies.
None of the things you can desire are to be compared to her. 16 Length of days is in her right hand.
In her left hand are riches and honor. 17 Her ways are ways of pleasantness.
All her paths are peace. 18 She is a tree of life to those who lay hold of her.
Happy is everyone who retains her. 19 By wisdom Yahweh founded the earth.
By understanding, he established the heavens. 20 By his knowledge, the depths were broken up,
and the skies drop down the dew.

21 My son, let them not depart from your eyes.
Keep sound wisdom and discretion: 22 so they will be life to your soul,
and grace for your neck. 23 Then you shall walk in your way securely.
Your foot won’t stumble. 24 When you lie down, you will not be afraid.
Yes, you will lie down, and your sleep will be sweet. 25 Don’t be afraid of sudden fear,
neither of the desolation of the wicked, when it comes: 26 for Yahweh will be your confidence,
and will keep your foot from being taken.

27 Don’t withhold good from those to whom it is due,
when it is in the power of your hand to do it. 28 Don’t say to your neighbor, “Go, and come again;
tomorrow I will give it to you,”
when you have it by you. 29 Don’t devise evil against your neighbor,
seeing he dwells securely by you. 30 Don’t strive with a man without cause,
if he has done you no harm. 31 Don’t envy the man of violence.
Choose none of his ways. 32 For the perverse is an abomination to Yahweh,
but his friendship is with the upright. 33 Yahweh’s curse is in the house of the wicked,
but he blesses the habitation of the righteous. 34 Surely he mocks the mockers,
but he gives grace to the humble. 35 The wise will inherit glory,
but shame will be the promotion of fools.