A Gentle Answer Turns Away Wrath
1A soft answer turneth away wrath: but grievous words stir up anger.
2The tongue of the wise useth knowledge aright: but the mouth of fools poureth out foolishness.
3The eyes of the LORD are in every place, beholding the evil and the good.
4A wholesome tongue is a tree of life: but perverseness therein is a breach in the spirit.
5A fool despiseth his father's instruction: but he that regardeth reproof is prudent.
6In the house of the righteous is much treasure: but in the revenues of the wicked is trouble.
7The lips of the wise disperse knowledge: but the heart of the foolish doeth not so.
8The sacrifice of 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 unto the LORD: but he loveth him that followeth after righteousness.
10Correction is grievous unto him that forsaketh the way: and he that hateth reproof shall die.
11Hell and destruction are before the LORD: how much more then the hearts of the children of men?
12A scorner loveth not one that reproveth him: neither will he go unto the wise.
13A merry heart maketh a cheerful countenance: but by sorrow of the heart the spirit is broken.
14The heart of him that hath understanding seeketh knowledge: but the mouth of fools feedeth on foolishness.
15All the days of the afflicted are evil: but he that is of a merry heart hath a continual feast.
16Better is little with the fear of the LORD than great treasure and trouble therewith.
17Better is a dinner of herbs where love is, than a stalled ox and hatred therewith.
18A wrathful man stirreth up strife: but he that is slow to anger appeaseth strife.
19The way of the slothful man is as an hedge of thorns: but the way of the righteous is made plain.
20A wise son maketh a glad father: but a foolish man despiseth his mother.
21Folly is joy to him that is destitute of wisdom: but a man of understanding walketh uprightly.
22Without counsel purposes are disappointed: but in the multitude of counsellers they are established.
23A man hath joy by the answer of his mouth: and a word spoken in due season, how good is it!
24The way of life is above to the wise, that he may depart from hell beneath.
25The LORD will destroy the house of the proud: but he will establish the border of the widow.
26The thoughts of the wicked are an abomination to the LORD: but the words of the pure are pleasant words.
27He that is greedy of gain troubleth his own house; but he that hateth gifts shall live.
28The heart of the righteous studieth to answer: but the mouth of the wicked poureth out evil things.
29The LORD is far from the wicked: but he heareth the prayer of the righteous.
30The light of the eyes rejoiceth the heart: and a good report maketh the bones fat.
31The ear that heareth the reproof of life abideth among the wise.
32He that refuseth instruction despiseth his own soul: but he that heareth reproof getteth understanding.
33The fear of the LORD is the instruction of wisdom; and before honour is humility.
King James Bible
Text courtesy of BibleProtector.com.
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 fools gush out folly.
3 Yahweh’s eyes are everywhere, keeping watch on the evil and the good.
4 A gentle tongue is a tree of life, but deceit in it crushes the spirit.
5 A fool despises his father’s correction, but he who heeds reproof shows prudence.
6 In the house of the righteous is much treasure, but the income of the wicked brings trouble.
7 The lips of the wise spread knowledge; not so with the heart of fools.
8 The sacrifice made by the wicked is an abomination to Yahweh, but the prayer of the upright is his delight.
9 The way of the wicked is an abomination to Yahweh, but he loves him who follows after righteousness.
10 There is stern discipline for one who forsakes the way: whoever hates reproof shall die.
11 Sheol and Abaddon are before Yahweh—how much more then the hearts of the children of men!
12 A scoffer doesn’t love to be reproved; he will not go to the wise.
13 A glad heart makes a cheerful face; but an aching heart breaks the spirit.
14 The heart of one who has understanding seeks knowledge, but the mouths of fools feed on folly.
15 All the days of the afflicted are wretched, but one who has a cheerful heart enjoys a continual feast.
16 Better is little, with the fear of Yahweh, than great treasure with trouble.
17 Better is a dinner of herbs, where love is, than a fattened calf with hatred.
18 A wrathful man stirs up contention, but one who is slow to anger appeases strife.
19 The way of the sluggard is like a thorn patch, but the path of the upright is a highway.
20 A wise son makes a father glad, but a foolish man despises his mother.
21 Folly is joy to one who is void of wisdom, but a man of understanding keeps his way straight.
22 Where there is no counsel, plans fail; but in a multitude of counselors they are established.
23 Joy comes to a man with the reply of his mouth. How good is a word at the right time!
24 The path of life leads upward for the wise, to keep him from going downward to Sheol.
25 Yahweh will uproot the house of the proud, but he will keep the widow’s borders intact.
26 Yahweh detests the thoughts of the wicked, but the thoughts of the pure are pleasing.
27 He who is greedy for gain troubles his own house, but he who hates bribes will live.
28 The heart of the righteous weighs answers, but the mouth of the wicked gushes out evil.
29 Yahweh is far from the wicked, but he hears the prayer of the righteous.
30 The light of the eyes rejoices the heart. Good news gives health to the bones.
31 The ear that listens to reproof lives, and will be at home among the wise.
32 He who refuses correction despises his own soul, but he who listens to reproof gets understanding.
33 The fear of Yahweh teaches wisdom. Before honor is humility.
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.
Footnotes:
11 a Or Death and Destruction
A Gentle Answer Turns Away Wrath
1A soft answer turneth back fury, And a grievous word raiseth up anger.
2The tongue of the wise maketh knowledge good, And the mouth of fools uttereth folly.
3In every place are the eyes of Jehovah, Watching the evil and the good.
4A healed tongue is a tree of life, And perverseness in it -- a breach in the spirit.
5A fool despiseth the instruction of his father, And whoso is regarding reproof is prudent.
6In the house of the righteous is abundant strength, And in the increase of the wicked -- trouble.
7The lips of the wise scatter knowledge, And the heart of fools is not right.
8The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination to Jehovah, And the prayer of the upright is His delight.
9An abomination to Jehovah is the way of the wicked, And whoso is pursuing righteousness He loveth.
10Chastisement is grievous to him who is forsaking the path, Whoso is hating reproof dieth.
11Sheol and destruction are before Jehovah, Surely also the hearts of the sons of men.
12A scorner loveth not his reprover, Unto the wise he goeth not.
13A joyful heart maketh glad the face, And by grief of heart is the spirit smitten.
14The heart of the intelligent seeketh knowledge, And the mouth of fools enjoyeth folly.
15All the days of the afflicted are evil, And gladness of heart is a perpetual banquet.
16Better is a little with the fear of Jehovah, Than much treasure, and tumult with it.
17Better is an allowance of green herbs and love there, Than a fatted ox, and hatred with it.
18A man of fury stirreth up contention, And the slow to anger appeaseth strife.
19The way of the slothful is as a hedge of briers, And the path of the upright is raised up.
20A wise son rejoiceth a father. And a foolish man is despising his mother.
21Folly is joy to one lacking heart, And a man of intelligence directeth his going.
22Without counsel is the making void of purposes, And in a multitude of counsellors it is established.
23Joy is to a man in the answer of his mouth, And a word in its season -- how good!
24A path of life is on high for the wise, To turn aside from Sheol beneath.
25The house of the proud Jehovah pulleth down, And He setteth up the border of the widow.
26An abomination to Jehovah are thoughts of wickedness, And pure are sayings of pleasantness.
27A dishonest gainer is troubling his house, And whoso is hating gifts liveth.
28The heart of the righteous meditateth to answer, And the mouth of the wicked uttereth evil things.
29Far is Jehovah from the wicked, And the prayer of the righteous He heareth.
30The light of the eyes rejoiceth the heart, A good report maketh fat the bone.
31An ear that is hearing the reproof of life Doth lodge among the wise.
32Whoso is refusing instruction is despising his soul, And whoso is hearing reproof Is getting understanding.
33The fear of Jehovah is the instruction of wisdom, And before honour is humility!
