dA soft answer turns away wrath,

but ea harsh word stirs up anger.

2  The tongue of the wise commends knowledge,

but fthe mouths of fools pour out folly.

3  gThe eyes of the Lord are in every place,

keeping watch on the evil and the good.

4  hA gentle1 tongue is ia tree of life,

but jperverseness in it breaks the spirit.

5  kA fool ldespises his father’s instruction,

but mwhoever heeds reproof is prudent.

6  In the house of the righteous there is much treasure,

but trouble befalls the income of the wicked.

7  nThe lips of the wise spread knowledge;

nnot so the hearts of fools.2

8  oThe sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination to the Lord,

but pthe prayer of the upright is acceptable to him.

9  The way of the wicked is an abomination to the Lord,

but he loves him qwho pursues righteousness.

10  There is rsevere discipline for him who forsakes the way;

swhoever hates reproof will die.

11  Sheol and Abaddon lie open before the Lord;

how much more tthe hearts of the children of man!

12  uA scoffer vdoes not like to be reproved;

he will not go to the wise.

13  wA glad heart makes a cheerful face,

but by xsorrow of heart the spirit is ycrushed.

14  zThe heart of him who has understanding seeks knowledge,

but the mouths of fools feed on folly.