A Gentle Answer Turns Away Wrath

1A tender answer turns away rage,

and a word of pain raises up anger.

2The tongue of the wise makes knowledge good,

and the mouth of fools pours forth folly.

3The eyes of YHWH are in every place,

watching evil ones and good ones.

4A healing tongue is a tree of life,

and crookedness in it is a breaking in the spirit.

5A fool despises the discipline of his father,

and the one receiving correction is prudent.

6In the house of the righteous is much treasure,

and in the produce of the wicked is trouble.

7The lips of the wise ones scatter knowledge,

and the heart of fools, not so.

8The sacrifice of the wicked ones is an abomination to YHWH,

and the prayer of the upright ones is His delight.

9An abomination to YHWH is the way of the wicked,

and the one pursuing righteousness, He loves.

10Discipline is grievous to the one abandoning the way;

one hating correction will die.

11Sheol and Abaddon† are before of YHWH—

and surely the hearts of the sons of men!

12One mocking does not love one who rebukes to him;

he will not go to the wise ones.

13A joyful heart makes a face good,

and by sorrow of heart a spirit is stricken.

14A discerning heart seeks knowledge,

and the mouth of fools feeds on folly.

15All the days of the afflicted are evil,

and a good heart is a continual feast.

16Better is a little with the fear of YHWH,

than great treasure and anxiety with it.

17Better is a portion of herbs when love is there,

than a fattened calf when hatred is with it.

18A man of wrath stirs up strife,

and one long of nostrils quiets fighting.

19The way of the sluggish one is like a hedge of thorns,

and the path of the upright is raised up.

20A wise son gladdens his father,

and a foolish man despises his mother.

21Folly is joy to the one lacking heart,

and a man of understanding makes straight his walk.

22Plans without counsel are broken,

and in a multitude of counselors it is established.

23Joy is unto a man in the answer of his mouth,

and a word in its season, how good it is!

24The path of life is on high for the one being wise,

that he may turn away from Sheol below.

25YHWH will tear down the house of the proud ones,

and He will make stand the boundary of the widow.

26An abomination YHWH are the thoughts of the wicked,

and pure are words of pleasantness.

27The one being greedy for dishonest gain is troubling his house,

and the one hating bribes will live.

28The heart of the righteous ponders how to answer,

and the mouth of the wicked pours forth evils.

29Far is YHWH from the wicked,

and He hears the prayer of the righteous.

The light of the eyes gladdens the heart;

a good report fattens the bone.

The ear hearing the rebukes of life,

it will abide in the midst of the wise ones.

The one neglecting discipline despises his own soul,

and the one hearing a rebuke acquires understanding.

The fear of YHWH is the instruction of wisdom,

and before the face of honor is humility.