Read the Bible

Contrast the Upright and the Wicked

¹ A ^(C1)gentle answer turns away wrath,
But a ^(F1)(C2)harsh word stirs up anger.

² The ^(C1)tongue of the wise makes knowledge ^(F1)acceptable,
But the ^(C2)mouth of fools spouts folly.

³ The ^(C1)eyes of the LORD are in every place,
Watching the evil and the good.

⁴ A ^(F1)soothing tongue is a tree of life,
But perversion in it ^(F2)crushes the spirit.

⁵ A fool ^(F1)rejects his father's discipline,
But he who regards reproof is sensible.

⁶ Great wealth is in the house of the ^(C1)righteous,
But trouble is in the income of the wicked.

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

⁸ The ^(C1)sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination to the LORD,
But ^(C2)the prayer of the upright is His delight.

⁹ The way of the wicked is an abomination to the LORD,
But He loves one who ^(C1)pursues righteousness.

¹⁰ Grievous punishment is for him who forsakes the way;
He who hates reproof will die.

^11 (F1)(C1)Sheol and ^(F2)Abaddon lie open before the LORD,
How much more the ^(C2)hearts of ^(F3)men!

¹² A ^(C1)scoffer does not love one who reproves him,
He will not go to the wise.

¹³ A ^(C1)joyful heart makes a ^(F1)cheerful face,
But ^(F2)when the heart is ^(C2)sad, the ^(C3)spirit is broken.

¹⁴ The ^(C1)mind of the intelligent seeks knowledge,
But the mouth of fools feeds on folly.

¹⁵ All the days of the afflicted are bad,
But a ^(F1)cheerful heart has a continual feast.

^16 (C1)Better is a little with the ^(F1)fear of the LORD
Than great treasure and turmoil with it.

^17 (C1)Better is a ^(F1)dish of ^(F2)vegetables where love is
Than a ^(C2)fattened ox served with hatred.

¹⁸ A ^(C1)hot-tempered man stirs up strife,
But the ^(C2)slow to anger ^(C3)calms a dispute.

¹⁹ The way of the lazy is as a hedge of thorns,
But the path of the upright is a highway.

²⁰ A ^(C1)wise son makes a father glad,
But a foolish man ^(C2)despises his mother.

²¹ Folly is joy to him who lacks ^(F1)sense,
But a man of understanding ^(C1)walks straight.

²² Without consultation, plans are frustrated,
But with many counselors they ^(F1)succeed.

²³ A ^(C1)man has joy in an ^(F1)apt answer,
And how delightful is a timely ^(C2)word!

²⁴ The ^(C1)path of life leads upward for the wise
That he may keep away from ^(F1)Sheol below.

²⁵ The LORD will ^(C1)tear down the house of the proud,
But He will ^(C2)establish the boundary of the ^(C3)widow.

²⁶ Evil plans are an abomination to the LORD,
But pleasant words are pure.

²⁷ He who ^(C1)profits illicitly troubles his own house,
But he who ^(C2)hates bribes will live.

²⁸ The heart of the righteous ^(C1)ponders how to answer,
But the ^(C2)mouth of the wicked pours out evil things.

²⁹ The LORD is ^(C1)far from the wicked,
But He ^(C2)hears the prayer of the righteous.

^30 (F1)Bright eyes gladden the heart;
Good news puts fat on the bones.

³¹ He whose ear listens to the life-giving reproof
Will dwell among the wise.

³² He who ^(C1)neglects discipline ^(C2)despises himself,
But he who ^(C3)listens to reproof acquires ^(F1)understanding.

³³ The ^(F1)fear of the LORD is the instruction for wisdom,
And before honor comes humility.