✧A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger. ✧2The tongue of the wise commends knowledge, but the mouths of fools gush out folly. ✧3The LORD’s eyes are everywhere, keeping watch on the evil and the good. ✧4A gentle tongue is a tree of life, but deceit in it crushes the spirit. ✧5A fool despises his father’s correction, but he who heeds reproof shows prudence. ✧6In the house of the righteous is much treasure, but the income of the wicked brings trouble. ✧7The lips of the wise spread knowledge; not so with the heart of fools. ✧8The sacrifice made by the wicked is an abomination to the LORD, but the prayer of the upright is his delight. ✧9The way of the wicked is an abomination to the LORD, but he loves him who follows after righteousness. ✧10There is stern discipline for one who forsakes the way. Whoever hates reproof shall die. ✧11Sheol and Abaddon are before the LORD— how much more then the hearts of the children of men! ✧12A scoffer doesn’t love to be reproved; he will not go to the wise. ✧13A glad heart makes a cheerful face, but an aching heart breaks the spirit. ✧14The heart of one who has understanding seeks knowledge, but the mouths of fools feed on folly. ✧15All the days of the afflicted are wretched, but one who has a cheerful heart enjoys a continual feast. ✧16Better is little, with the fear of the LORD, than great treasure with trouble. ✧17Better is a dinner of herbs, where love is, than a fattened calf with hatred. ✧18A wrathful man stirs up contention, but one who is slow to anger appeases strife. ✧19The way of the sluggard is like a thorn patch, but the path of the upright is a highway. ✧20A wise son makes a father glad, but a foolish man despises his mother. ✧21Folly is joy to one who is void of wisdom, but a man of understanding keeps his way straight. ✧22Where there is no counsel, plans fail; but in a multitude of counselors they are established. ✧23Joy comes to a man with the reply of his mouth. How good is a word at the right time! ✧24The path of life leads upward for the wise, to keep him from going downward to Sheol. ✧25The LORD will uproot the house of the proud, but he will keep the widow’s borders intact. ✧26The LORD detests the thoughts of the wicked, but the thoughts of the pure are pleasing. ✧27He who is greedy for gain troubles his own house, but he who hates bribes will live. ✧28The heart of the righteous weighs answers, but the mouth of the wicked gushes out evil. ✧29The LORD is far from the wicked, but he hears the prayer of the righteous. ✧30The light of the eyes rejoices the heart. Good news gives health to the bones. ✧31The ear that listens to reproof lives, and will be at home among the wise. ✧32He who refuses correction despises his own soul, but he who listens to reproof gets understanding. ✧33The fear of the LORD teaches wisdom. Before honor is humility.