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

² The tongue of the wise uses knowledge rightly, But the mouth of fools pours forth foolishness.

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

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

⁵ A fool despises his father's instruction, But he who receives correction is prudent.

⁶ In the house of the righteous there is much treasure, But in the revenue of the wicked is trouble.

⁷ The lips of the wise disperse knowledge, But the heart of the fool does not do 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 him who follows righteousness.

¹⁰ Harsh discipline is for him who forsakes the way, And he who hates correction will die.

¹¹ Hell and Destruction are before the Lord; So how much more the hearts of the sons of men.

¹² A scoffer does not love one who corrects him, Nor will he go to the wise.

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

¹⁴ The heart of him who has understanding seeks knowledge, But the mouth of fools feeds on foolishness.

¹⁵ All the days of the afflicted are evil, But he who is of a merry heart has a continual feast.

¹⁶ Better is a little with the fear of the Lord, Than great treasure with trouble. ¹⁷ Better is a dinner of herbs where love is, Than a fatted calf with hatred.

¹⁸ A wrathful man stirs up strife, But he who is slow to anger allays contention.

¹⁹ The way of the lazy man is like a hedge of thorns, But the way 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 is destitute of discernment, But a man of understanding walks uprightly.

²² Without counsel, plans go awry, But in the multitude of counselors they are established.

²³ A man has joy by the answer of his mouth, And a word spoken in due season, how good it is!

²⁴ The way of life winds upward for the wise, That he may turn away from hell below.

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

²⁶ The thoughts of the wicked are an abomination to the Lord, But the words of the pure are pleasant.

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

²⁸ The heart of the righteous studies how to answer, But the mouth of the wicked pours forth 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 a good report makes the bones healthy.

³¹ The ear that hears the rebukes of life Will abide among the wise.

³² He who disdains instruction despises his own soul, But he who heeds rebuke gets understanding.

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

Exhortations to Obedience

3¹ My son, do not forget my law, But let your heart keep my commands; ² For length of days and long life And peace they will add to you. ³ Let not mercy and truth forsake you; Bind them around your neck, Write them on the tablet of your heart, ⁴ And so find favor and high esteem In the sight of God and man. ⁵ Trust in the Lord with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding; ⁶ In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths.

⁷ Do not be wise in your own eyes; Fear the Lord and depart from evil. ⁸ It will be health to your flesh, And strength to your bones. ⁹ Honor the Lord with your possessions, And with the firstfruits of all your increase; ¹⁰ So your barns will be filled with plenty, And your vats will overflow with new wine. ¹¹ My son, do not despise the chastening of the Lord, Nor detest His correction; ¹² For whom the Lord loves He corrects, Just as a father the son in whom he delights.

¹³ Happy is the man who finds wisdom, And the man who gains understanding; ¹⁴ For her proceeds are better than the profits of silver, And her gain than fine gold. ¹⁵ She is more precious than rubies, And all the things you may desire cannot compare with her. ¹⁶ Length of days is in her right hand, In her left hand 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 take hold of her, And happy are all who retain her. ¹⁹ The Lord by wisdom founded the earth; By understanding He established the heavens; ²⁰ By His knowledge the depths were broken up, And clouds 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 to your neck. ²³ Then you will walk safely in your way, And your foot will not stumble. ²⁴ When you lie down, you will not be afraid; Yes, you will lie down and your sleep will be sweet. ²⁵ Do not be afraid of sudden terror, Nor of trouble from 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 the power of your hand to do so. 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 evil against your neighbor, For he dwells by you for safety's sake. ³⁰ Do not strive with a man without cause, If he has done you no harm. ³¹ Do not envy the oppressor, And choose none of his ways; ³² For the perverse person is an abomination to the Lord, But His secret counsel is with the upright. ³³ The curse of the Lord is on the house of the wicked, But He blesses the home of the just. ³⁴ Surely He scorns the scornful, But gives grace to the humble. ³⁵ The wise shall inherit glory, But shame shall be the legacy of fools.