King James Version

1 A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger. 2 The tongue of the wise will bring forth knowledge, but the mouth of fools will pour out folly. 3 In every place, the eyes of the Lord are watching the evil and the good. 4 A healing of the tongue is a tree of life, but a perversion in it is a breaking of the spirit. 5 A fool despises his father's instruction, but he who heeds reproof is prudent. 6 The house of the righteous is a great fortress, but the income of the wicked is destroyed. 7 The lips of the wise will disperse knowledge, but the heart of fools is 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 Discipline is bad for one who abandons the way; he who hates correction will die. 11 Sheol and Abaddon are before the Lord; how much more the hearts of the children of man. 12 A scoffer does not love one who reproves him; he will not go to the wise. 13 A joyful heart makes the face cheerful, but by a sorrowful heart the spirit is crushed. 14 The heart of the wise seeks knowledge, but the mouths of fools feed on folly. 15 All the days of the afflicted are bad, but a good heart is a continual feast. 16 Better is a little in the fear of the Lord than great treasure and turmoil with it. 17 Better is a meal of herbs and love there than a fattened ox and hatred with it. 18 A man of wrath stirs up strife, but he who is slow to anger quiets contention. 19 The way of the lazy 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 Folly is joy to the lack of heart, but a man of understanding will direct his steps. 22 He brings to nothing plans where there is no counsel, but in the multitude of advisers, it will stand. 23 Joy is in a man’s answer; and a word in its time, how good it is. 24 The way of life is above for the wise, to turn away from Sheol below. 25 The Lord will remove the house of the proud and will set the boundary of the widow. 26 The thoughts of the LORD are an abomination, but pure are the words of pleasantness. 27 The one who disturbs his house will be in want, and he who hates gifts will live. 28 The heart of the righteous meditates on teaching, 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 makes the heart glad; a good report refreshes the bones. 31 The ear that hears the rebuke of life will dwell among the wise. 32 He who breaks the discipline despises his soul, but he who listens to reproof acquires a heart. 33 The fear of the LORD is the instruction of wisdom, and before honor is humility.