1A soft answer turns away wrath,
But a harsh word stirs up anger.
2The tongue of the wise uses knowledge rightly,
But the mouth of fools pours forth foolishness.
Keeping watch on the evil and the good.
But perverseness in it breaks the spirit.
5A fool despises his father’s instruction,
But he who 15:5 Lit. keepsreceives correction is prudent.
But in the revenue of the wicked is trouble.
7The lips of the wise 15:7 spreaddisperse knowledge,
But the heart of the fool does not do so.
But the prayer of the upright is His delight.
But He loves him who follows righteousness.
10Harsh discipline is for him who forsakes the way,
And he who hates correction will die.
So how much more the hearts of the sons of men.
12A scoffer does not love one who corrects him,
Nor will he go to the wise.
13A merry heart makes a cheerful 15:13 facecountenance,
But by sorrow of the heart the spirit is broken.
14The heart of him who has understanding seeks knowledge,
But the mouth of fools feeds on foolishness.
15All the days of the afflicted are evil,
But he who is of a merry heart has a continual feast.
Than great treasure with trouble.
Than a fatted calf with hatred.
18A wrathful man stirs up strife,
But he who is slow to anger allays contention.
19The way of the lazy man is like a hedge of thorns,
But the way of the upright is a highway.
20A wise son makes a father glad,
But a foolish man despises his mother.
But a man of understanding walks uprightly.
22Without counsel, plans go awry,
But in the multitude of counselors they are established.
23A man has joy by the answer of his mouth,
And a word spoken 15:23 Lit. in its timein due season, how good it is!
24The way of life winds upward for the wise,
That he may turn away from 15:24 Or Sheolhell below.
25The Lord will destroy the house of the proud,
But He will establish the boundary of the widow.
But the words of the pure are pleasant.
27He who is greedy for gain troubles his own house,
But he who hates bribes will live.
28The heart of the righteous studies how to answer,
But the mouth of the wicked pours forth evil.
But He hears the prayer of the righteous.
30The light of the eyes rejoices the heart,
And a good report makes the bones 15:30 Lit. fathealthy.
31The ear that hears the rebukes of life
Will abide among the wise.
32He who disdains instruction despises his own soul,
But he who heeds rebuke gets understanding.
And before honor is humility.
New King James Version®, Copyright© 1982, Thomas Nelson. All rights reserved.
