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

2 The tongue of the wise makes knowledge acceptable , But the mouth of fools spouts folly .

3 The eyes of the Lord are in every place , Watching the evil and the good .

4 A soothing tongue is a tree of life , But perversion in it crushes the spirit .

5 A fool rejects his father's discipline , But he who regards reproof is sensible .

6 Great wealth is in the house of the righteous , But trouble is in the income of the wicked .

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

8 The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination to the Lord , But the prayer of the upright is His delight .

9 The way of the wicked is an abomination to the Lord , But He loves one who pursues righteousness .

10 Grievous punishment is for him who forsakes the way ; He who hates reproof will die .

11 Sheol and Abaddon lie open before the Lord , How much e more the hearts of men e !

12 A scoffer does not love one who reproves him, He will not go to the wise .

13 A joyful heart makes a cheerful face , But when the heart is sad , the spirit is broken .

14 The mind of the intelligent seeks knowledge , But the mouth of fools feeds on folly .

15 All the days of the afflicted are bad , But a cheerful heart has a continual feast .

16 Better is a little with the fear of the Lord Than great treasure and turmoil with it. 17 Better is a dish of vegetables where love is Than a fattened ox served with hatred .

18 A hot-tempered man stirs up strife , But the slow to anger calms a dispute .

19 The way of the lazy is as a hedge of thorns , 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 him who lacks sense , But a man of understanding walks straight .

22 Without consultation , plans are frustrated , But with many counselors they succeed .

23 A man has joy in an apt answer , And how delightful is a timely word !

24 The path of life leads upward for the wise That he may keep away from Sheol below .

25 The Lord will tear down the house of the proud , But He will establish the boundary of the widow .

26 Evil plans are an abomination to the Lord , But pleasant words are pure .

27 He who profits illicitly troubles his own house , But he who hates bribes will live .

28 The heart of the righteous ponders how to answer , But the mouth of the wicked pours out evil things .

29 The Lord is far from the wicked , But He hears the prayer of the righteous .

30 Bright eyes gladden the heart ; Good news puts fat on the bones .

31 He whose ear listens to the life-giving reproof Will dwell among the wise .

32 He who neglects discipline despises himself , But he who listens to reproof acquires understanding .

33 The fear of the Lord is the instruction for wisdom , And before honor comes humility .

Exhortations to Obedience

31 My son , do not forget my teaching , But let your heart keep my commandments ; 2 For length of days and years of life And peace they will add to you. 3 Do not let kindness and truth leave you; Bind them around your neck , Write them on the tablet of your heart . 4 So you will find favor and good repute In the sight of God and man . 5 Trust in the Lord with all your heart And do not lean on your own understanding . 6 In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He will make your paths straight .

7 Do not be wise in your own eyes ; Fear the Lord and turn away from evil . 8 It will be healing to your body And refreshment to your bones . 9 Honor the Lord from your wealth And from the first of all your produce ; 10 So your barns will be filled with plenty And your vats will overflow with new wine . 11 My son , do not reject the discipline of the Lord Or loathe His reproof , 12 For whom the Lord loves He reproves , Even as a father corrects the son in whom he delights .

13 How blessed is the man who finds wisdom And the man who gains understanding . 14 For her profit is better than the profit of silver And her gain better than fine gold . 15 She is more precious than jewels ; And nothing e you desire compares with her. 16 Long life is in her right hand ; In her left hand are riches and honor . 17 Her ways are pleasant ways And all her paths are peace . 18 She is a tree of life to those who take hold of her, And happy are all who hold her fast . 19 The Lord by wisdom founded the earth , By understanding He established the heavens . 20 By His knowledge the deeps were broken up And the skies drip with dew .

21 My son , let them not vanish from your sight ; Keep sound wisdom and discretion , 22 So they will be life to your soul And adornment to your neck . 23 Then you will walk in your way securely And your foot will not stumble . 24 When you lie down , you will not be afraid ; When you lie down , your sleep will be sweet . 25 Do not be afraid of sudden fear Nor of the onslaught of the wicked when it comes ; 26 For the Lord will be your confidence And will keep your foot from being caught .

27 Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due , When it is in your power to do it. 28 Do not say to your neighbor , "Go , and come back , And tomorrow I will give it," When you have it with you. 29 Do not devise harm against your neighbor , While he lives securely beside you. 30 Do not contend with a man without cause , If he has done you no harm . 31 Do not envy a man of violence And do not choose any of his ways . 32 For the devious are an abomination to the Lord ; But He is intimate with the upright . 33 The curse of the Lord is on the house of the wicked , But He blesses the dwelling of the righteous . 34 Though He scoffs at the scoffers , Yet He gives grace to the afflicted . 35 The wise will inherit honor , But fools display dishonor .