15 A tender answer turns away rage,
    but a prickly reply spikes anger.
² The words of the wise extend knowledge,
    but foolish people utter nonsense.
³ The Eternal can see all things;
    His gaze is fixed on both the evil and the good.
⁴ A word of encouragement heals the one who receives it,
    but a deceitful word breaks the spirit.
⁵ Fools refuse their parents’ guidance,
    but sensible children accept correction.
⁶ Great treasure may be found where the right-living make their home,
    but trouble awaits the wicked at every turn.
⁷ When the wise speak, knowledge spreads far and wide,
    but fools care nothing about such matters.
⁸ When the wicked offer sacrifices, they disgust the Eternal,
    but the prayers of those who do right are a pleasure to Him.
⁹ The lifestyle of the wicked is repulsive to Him,
    while those who do right delight Him.
¹⁰ Harsh punishment is waiting for those who reject the path of life,
    and those who hate correction will die.
¹¹ The grave and destruction are fully exposed before the Eternal;
    how much more does He know the thoughts of Adam’s children!
¹² Those who mock others don’t like being corrected,
    so they keep their distance from the wise.
¹³ A warm, smiling face reveals a joy-filled heart,
    but heartache crushes the spirit and darkens the appearance.
¹⁴ Those who have understanding hearts hunger after knowledge,
    but those with no understanding feast on foolishness.
¹⁵ The poor and oppressed suffer hardship day after day,
    but those with kind hearts continually feast.
¹⁶ It is better to live with less and honor the Eternal
    than to have riches and carry the burdens that come with them.
¹⁷ Better to eat only vegetables served lovingly
    than a fattened ox served hatefully.
¹⁸ A hot-headed person stirs up trouble,
    but one with patience settles a fight.
¹⁹ Lazy people walk a path overgrown with thornbushes,
    but those with integrity travel a wide, level road.
²⁰ A wise child makes his father happy,
    but a foolish man despises his mother.
²¹ Foolishness brings sheer joy to those who have no sense,
    but people with insight steer a straight course through life.
²² Plans fall apart without proper advice;
    but with the right guidance, they come together nicely.
²³ There is great joy in having the right answer,
    and how sweet is the right word at the right time!
²⁴ For the wise the road of life climbs up steep grades
    in order to avoid the slide down to the grave.
²⁵ The Eternal splinters the house of the haughty,
    but He secures the property of widows.

²⁶ The thoughts of the wrongdoers repulse the Eternal,
    but kind words are pure pleasure for Him.
²⁷ Those who take illegal gains injure their families,
    but those who refuse a bribe will live in peace.
²⁸ The right-living think before they speak,
    but wrongdoers simply spew evil.
²⁹ The Eternal stays far from the wrongdoers,
    but He listens to the prayer of the right-living.
³⁰ Bright eyes and a cheerful expression bring joy to the heart,
    and good news revives the spirit and renews health.
³¹ Those who learn from the lessons of life
    will join the others who are wise.
³² Those who disregard discipline sabotage themselves,
    but those who are open to correction gain understanding.
³³ Reverence for the Eternal is the first lesson of wisdom,
    and humility always precedes honor.