15 A soft answer turneth away wrath;
But a grievous word stirreth up anger.
² The tongue of the wise uttereth knowledge aright;
But the mouth of fools poureth out folly.
³ The eyes of Jehovah are in every place,
Keeping watch upon the evil and the good.
^4 [a]A gentle tongue is a tree of life;
But perverseness therein is a breaking of the spirit.
⁵ A fool despiseth his father’s ^[b]correction;
But he that regardeth reproof ^[c]getteth prudence.
⁶ In the house of the righteous is much treasure;
But in the revenues of the wicked is trouble.
⁷ The lips of the wise disperse knowledge;
But the heart of the foolish ^[d]doeth not so.
⁸ The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination to Jehovah;
But the prayer of the upright is his delight.
⁹ The way of the wicked is an abomination to Jehovah;
But he loveth him that followeth after righteousness.
¹⁰ There is grievous correction for him that forsaketh the way;
And he that hateth reproof shall die.
¹¹ Sheol and ^[e]Abaddon are before Jehovah;
How much more then the hearts of the children of men!
¹² A scoffer loveth not to be reproved;
He will not go unto the wise.
¹³ A glad heart maketh a cheerful countenance;
But by sorrow of heart the spirit is broken.
¹⁴ The heart of him that hath understanding seeketh knowledge;
But the mouth of fools feedeth on folly.
¹⁵ All the days of the afflicted are evil;
But he that is of a cheerful heart hath a continual feast.
¹⁶ Better is little, with the fear of Jehovah,
Than great treasure and trouble therewith.
¹⁷ Better is a ^[f]dinner of herbs, where love is,
Than a stalled ox and hatred therewith.
¹⁸ A wrathful man stirreth up contention;
But he that is slow to anger appeaseth strife.
¹⁹ The way of the sluggard is as a hedge of thorns;
But the path of the upright is made a highway.
²⁰ A wise son maketh a glad father;
But a foolish man despiseth his mother.
²¹ Folly is joy to him that is void of ^[g]wisdom;
But a man of understanding maketh straight his going.
²² Where there is no counsel, purposes are disappointed;
But in the multitude of counsellors they are established.
²³ A man hath joy in the answer of his mouth;
And a word in due season, how good is it!
²⁴ To the wise the way of life goeth upward,
That he may depart from Sheol beneath.
²⁵ Jehovah will root up the house of the proud;
But he will establish the border of the widow.
²⁶ Evil devices are an abomination to Jehovah;
But ^[h]pleasant words are pure.
²⁷ He that is greedy of gain troubleth his own house;
But he that hateth bribes shall live.
²⁸ The heart of the righteous studieth to answer;
But the mouth of the wicked poureth out evil things.
²⁹ Jehovah is far from the wicked;
But he heareth the prayer of the righteous.
³⁰ The light of the eyes rejoiceth the heart;
And good tidings make the bones fat.
³¹ The ear that hearkeneth to the reproof of life
Shall abide among the wise.
³² He that refuseth ^[i]correction despiseth his own soul;
But he that hearkeneth to reproof getteth ^[j]understanding.
³³ The fear of Jehovah is the instruction of wisdom;
And before honor goeth humility.