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A Gentle Answer Turns Away Wrath

¹ A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.

² The tongue of the wise commends knowledge, but the mouth of the fool spouts folly.

³ The eyes of the LORD are in every place, observing the evil and the good.

⁴ A soothing tongue is a tree of life, but a perverse tongue crushes the spirit.

⁵ A fool rejects his father’s discipline, but whoever heeds correction is prudent.

⁶ The house of the righteous has great treasure, but the income of the wicked is trouble.

⁷ The lips of the wise spread knowledge, but not so the hearts of fools.

⁸ The sacrifice of the wicked is detestable to the LORD, but the prayer of the upright is His delight.

⁹ The LORD detests the way of the wicked, but He loves those who pursue righteousness.

¹⁰ Discipline is harsh for him who leaves the path; he who hates correction will die.

¹¹ Sheol and Abaddon^(a) lie open before the LORD—how much more the hearts of men!

¹² A mocker does not love to be reproved, nor will he consult the wise.

¹³ A joyful heart makes a cheerful countenance, but sorrow of the heart crushes the spirit.

¹⁴ A discerning heart seeks knowledge, but the mouth of a fool feeds on folly.

¹⁵ All the days of the oppressed are bad, but a cheerful heart has a continual feast.

¹⁶ Better a little with the fear of the LORD than great treasure with turmoil.¹⁷ Better a dish of vegetables where there is love than a fattened ox with hatred.

¹⁸ A hot-tempered man stirs up strife, but he who is slow to anger calms dispute.

¹⁹ The way of the slacker is like a hedge of thorns, but the path of the upright is a highway.

²⁰ A wise son brings joy to his father, but a foolish man despises his mother.

²¹ Folly is joy to one who lacks judgment, but a man of understanding walks a straight path.

²² Plans fail for lack of counsel, but with many advisers they succeed.

²³ A man takes joy in a fitting reply—and how good is a timely word!

²⁴ The path of life leads upward for the wise, that he may avoid going down to Sheol.

²⁵ The LORD tears down the house of the proud, but He protects the boundaries of the widow.

²⁶ The LORD detests the thoughts of the wicked, but the words of the pure are pleasant to Him.

²⁷ He who is greedy for unjust gain brings trouble on his household, but he who hates bribes will live.

²⁸ The heart of the righteous ponders how to answer, but the mouth of the wicked blurts out evil.

²⁹ The LORD is far from the wicked, but He hears the prayer of the righteous.

³⁰ The light of the eyes cheers the heart, and good news nourishes the bones.

³¹ He who listens to life-giving reproof will dwell among the wise.

³² He who ignores discipline despises himself, but whoever heeds correction gains understanding.

³³ The fear of the LORD is the instruction of wisdom, and humility comes before honor.