Proverbs

¹ Anger slays even wise men; yet a submissive answer turns away wrath: but a grievous word stirs up anger.

² The tongue of the wise knows what is good: but the mouth of the foolish tells out evil things.

³ The eyes of the Lord behold both the evil and the good in every place.

⁴ The wholesome tongue is a tree of life, and he that keeps it shall be filled with understanding.

⁵ A fool scorns his father's instruction: but he that keeps his commandments is more prudent. In abounding righteousness is great strength: but the ungodly shall utterly perish from the earth.

⁶ In the houses of the righteous is much strength: but the fruits of the ungodly shall perish.

⁷ The lips of the wise are bound by discretion: but the hearts of the foolish are not safe.

⁸ The sacrifices of the ungodly are an abomination to the Lord; but the prayers of them that walk honestly are acceptable with him.

⁹ The ways of an ungodly man are an abomination to the Lord; but he loves those that follow after righteousness.

¹⁰ The instruction of the simple is known by them that pass by; but they that hate reproofs die disgracefully.

¹¹ Hell and destruction are manifest to the Lord; how shall not also be the hearts of men?

¹² An uninstructed person will not love those that reprove him; neither will he associate with the wise.

¹³ When the heart rejoices the countenance is cheerful; but when it is in sorrow, the countenance is sad.

¹⁴ An upright heart seeks discretion; but the mouth of the uninstructed will experience evils.

¹⁵ The eyes of the wicked are always looking for evil things; but the good are always quiet.

¹⁶ Better is a small portion with the fear of the Lord, than great treasures without the fear of the Lord .

¹⁷ Better is an entertainment of herbs with friendliness and kindness, than a feast of calves, with enmity.

¹⁸ A passionate man stirs up strife; but he that is slow to anger appeases even a rising one.

¹⁸ A man slow to anger will extinguish quarrels; but an ungodly man rather stirs them up.

¹⁹ The ways of sluggards are strewn with thorns; but those of the diligent are made smooth.

²⁰ A wise son gladdens his father; but a foolish son sneers at his mother.

²¹ The ways of a foolish man are void of sense; but a wise man proceeds on his way aright.

²² They that honour not councils put off deliberation; but counsel abides in the hearts of counsellors.

²³ A bad man will by no means attend to counsel; neither will he say anything seasonable, or good for the common weal .

²⁴ The thoughts of the wise are ways of life, that he may turn aside and escape from hell.

²⁵ The Lord pulls down the houses of scorners; but he establishes the border of the widow.

²⁶ An unrighteous thought is abomination to the Lord; but the sayings of the pure are held in honour.

²⁷ A receiver of bribes destroys himself; but he that hates the receiving of bribes is safe.

²⁷ [By alms and by faithful dealings sins are purged away;] but by the fear of the Lord every one departs from evil.

²⁸ The hearts of the righteous meditate faithfulness; but the mouth of the ungodly answers evil things.

²⁸ The ways of righteous men are acceptable with the Lord; and through them even enemies become friends.

²⁹ God is far from the ungodly; but he hearkens to the prayers of the righteous.

²⁹ Better are small receipts with righteousness, than abundant fruits with unrighteousness.

²⁹ Let the heart of a man think justly, that his steps may be rightly ordered of God.

³⁰ The eye that sees rightly rejoices the heart; and a good report fattens the bones.

³² He that rejects instruction hates himself; but he that minds reproofs loves his soul.

³³ The fear of the Lord is instruction and wisdom; and the highest honour will correspond therewith.