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

2 The tongue of the wise dispenses knowledge, but the mouths of fools pour out folly.

3 The eyes of the Lord are in every place, keeping watch on the evil and the good.

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

5 A fool despises a parent's instruction, but the one who heeds admonition is prudent.

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

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

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 the one who pursues righteousness.

10 There is severe discipline for one who forsakes the way, but one who hates a rebuke will die.

11 Sheol and Abaddon lie open before the Lord, how much more human hearts!

12 Scoffers do not like to be rebuked; they will not go to the wise.

13 A glad heart makes a cheerful countenance, but by sorrow of heart the spirit is broken.

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

15 All the days of the poor are hard, but a cheerful heart has a continual feast.

16 Better is a little with the fear of the Lord than great treasure and trouble with it. 17 Better is a dinner of vegetables where love is than a fatted ox and hatred with it.

18 Those who are hot-tempered stir up strife, but those who are slow to anger calm contention.

19 The way of the lazy is overgrown with thorns, but the path of the upright is a level highway.

20 A wise child makes a glad father, but the foolish despise their mothers.

21 Folly is a joy to one who has no sense, but a person of understanding walks straight ahead.

22 Without counsel, plans go wrong, but with many advisers they succeed.

23 To make an apt answer is a joy to anyone, and a word in season, how good it is!

24 For the wise the path of life leads upward, in order to avoid Sheol below.

25 The Lord tears down the house of the proud, but maintains the widow's boundaries.

26 Evil plans are an abomination to the Lord, but gracious words are pure.

27 Those who are greedy for unjust gain make trouble for their households, but those who hate bribes will live.

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

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

30 The light of the eyes rejoices the heart, and good news refreshes the body.

31 The ear that heeds wholesome admonition will lodge among the wise.

32 Those who ignore instruction despise themselves, but those who heed admonition gain understanding.

33 The fear of the Lord is instruction in wisdom, and humility goes before honor.

Exhortations to Obedience

31 My child, do not forget my teaching, but let your heart keep my commandments; 2 for length of days and years of life and abundant welfare they will give you. 3 Do not let loyalty and faithfulness forsake 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 of people. 5 Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not rely on your own insight. 6 In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.

7 Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord, and turn away from evil. 8 It will be a healing for your flesh and a refreshment for your body. 9 Honor the Lord with your substance and with the first fruits of all your produce; 10 then your barns will be filled with plenty, and your vats will be bursting with wine. 11 My child, do not despise the Lord's discipline or be weary of his reproof, 12 for the Lord reproves the one he loves, as a father the son in whom he delights.

13 Happy are those who find wisdom, and those who get understanding, 14 for her income is better than silver, and her revenue better than gold. 15 She is more precious than jewels, and nothing you desire can compare with her. 16 Long life is in her right hand; in her left hand are riches and honor. 17 Her ways are ways of pleasantness, and all her paths are peace. 18 She is a tree of life to those who lay hold of her; those who hold her fast are called happy. 19 The Lord by wisdom founded the earth; by understanding he established the heavens; 20 by his knowledge the deeps broke open, and the clouds drop down the dew.

21 My child, do not let these escape from your sight: keep sound wisdom and prudence, 22 and they will be life for your soul and adornment for your neck. 23 Then you will walk on your way securely and your foot will not stumble. 24 If you sit down, you will not be afraid; when you lie down, your sleep will be sweet. 25 Do not be afraid of sudden panic, or of the storm that strikes the wicked; 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 again, tomorrow I will give it"-when you have it with you. 29 Do not plan harm against your neighbor who lives trustingly beside you. 30 Do not quarrel with anyone without cause, when no harm has been done to you. 31 Do not envy the violent and do not choose any of their ways; 32 for the perverse are an abomination to the Lord, but the upright are in his confidence. 33 The Lord's curse is on the house of the wicked, but he blesses the abode of the righteous. 34 Toward the scorners he is scornful, but to the humble he shows favor. 35 The wise will inherit honor, but stubborn fools, disgrace.