• Contrast of the Upright and the Wicked

  • 1 A gentle answer turns away wrath, But a harsh word stirs up anger.
  • 2 The tongue of the wise makes knowledge pleasant, But the mouth of fools spouts foolishness.
  • 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 complies with rebuke 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 the one who pursues righteousness.
  • 10 There is severe punishment for one who abandons the way; One who hates a rebuke will die.
  • 11 Sheol and Abaddon lie open before the Lord, How much more the hearts of mankind!
  • 12 A scoffer does not love one who rebukes 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 foolishness.
  • 15 All the days of the needy 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 the treasure.
  • 17 Better is a portion of vegetables where there is love, Than a fattened ox served with hatred.
  • 18 A hot-tempered person stirs up strife, But the slow to anger calms a dispute.
  • 19 The way of the lazy one is like 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 Foolishness is joy to one who lacks sense, But a person of understanding walks straight.
  • 22 Without consultation, plans are frustrated, But with many counselors they succeed.
  • 23 A person has joy in an apt answer, And how delightful is a timely word!
  • 24 The path of life leads upward for the wise, So that he may keep away from Sheol below.
  • 25 The Lord will tear down the house of the proud, But He will set 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 refreshes the bones.
  • 31 One whose ear listens to a life-giving rebuke Will stay among the wise.
  • 32 One who neglects discipline rejects himself, But one who listens to a rebuke acquires understanding.
  • 33 The fear of the Lord is the instruction for wisdom, And before honor comes humility.