1 A gentle answer turns away wrath,

but a harsh word stirs up anger.

2 The tongue of the wise adorns knowledge,

but the mouth of the fool gushes folly.

3 The eyes of the Lord are everywhere,

keeping watch on the wicked and the good.

4 The soothing tongue is a tree of life,

but a perverse tongue crushes the spirit.

1 A soft answer turneth away wrath:

But grievous words stir up anger.

2 The tongue of the wise useth knowledge aright:

But the mouth of fools poureth out foolishness.

3 The eyes of the Lord are in every place,

Beholding the evil and the good.

4 A wholesome tongue is a tree of life:

But perverseness therein is a breach in the spirit.

1 A gentle answer deflects anger,

but harsh words make tempers flare.

2 The tongue of the wise makes knowledge appealing,

but the mouth of a fool belches out foolishness.

3 The Lord is watching everywhere,

keeping his eye on both the evil and the good.

4 Gentle words are a tree of life;

a deceitful tongue crushes the spirit.

1 A soft answer turns away wrath,

But a harsh word stirs up anger.

2 The tongue of the wise uses knowledge rightly,

But the mouth of fools pours forth foolishness.

3 The eyes of the Lord are in every place,

Keeping watch on the evil and the good.

4 A wholesome tongue is a tree of life,

But perverseness in it breaks the spirit.

1 A gentle answer will calm a person’s anger,

but an unkind answer will cause more anger.

2 Wise people use knowledge when they speak,

but fools pour out foolishness.

3 The Lord’s eyes see everything;

he watches both evil and good people.

4 As a tree gives fruit, healing words give life,

but dishonest words crush the spirit.

1 A soft answer turneth away wrath;

But a grievous word stirreth up anger.

2 The tongue of the wise uttereth knowledge aright;

But the mouth of fools poureth out folly.

3 The eyes of Jehovah are in every place,

Keeping watch upon the evil and the good.

4 A gentle tongue is a tree of life;

But perverseness therein is a breaking of the spirit.

1 A soft answer turneth away fury; but a grievous word stirreth up anger.

2 The tongue of the wise useth knowledge aright; but the mouth of the foolish poureth out folly.

3 The eyes of Jehovah are in every place, beholding the evil and the good.

4 Gentleness of tongue is a tree of life; but crookedness therein is a breaking of the spirit.

1 A gentle answer turns away rage, 

but a harsh word stirs up anger. 

2 The tongues of wise people give good expression to knowledge, 

but the mouths of fools pour out a flood of stupidity. 

3 The eyes of the Lord are everywhere. 

They watch evil people and good people. 

4 A soothing tongue is a tree of life, 

but a deceitful tongue breaks the spirit. 

1 A gentle answer turns away anger,

but a harsh word stirs up wrath.

2 The tongue of the wise makes knowledge attractive,

but the mouth of fools blurts out foolishness.

3 The eyes of the Lord are everywhere,

observing the wicked and the good.

4 The tongue that heals is a tree of life,

but a devious tongue breaks the spirit.

1 A soft answer turns away wrath,

but a harsh word stirs up anger.

2 The tongue of the wise dispenses knowledge,

but the mouths of fools pour out folly.

3 The eyes of the Lord are in every place,

keeping watch on the evil and the good.

4 A gentle tongue is a tree of life,

but perverseness in it breaks the spirit.

1 A soft answer will turn away wrath,

but a word of trouble will stir anger.

2 The tongue of the wise will dispense knowledge,

but the mouth of fools will pour out folly.

3 In every place, the eyes of Yahweh

keep watch over the evil and the good.

4 Gentleness of tongue is a tree of life,

but perverseness in it causes a break in spirit.

1 A gentle answer turns anger away.

But mean words stir up anger.

2 The tongues of wise people use knowledge well.

But the mouths of foolish people pour out foolish words.

3 The eyes of the Lord are everywhere.

They watch those who are evil and those who are good.

4 A tongue that brings healing is like a tree of life.

But a tongue that tells lies produces a broken spirit.

1 A gentle answer turns away wrath,

But a harsh word stirs up anger.

2 The tongue of the wise makes knowledge acceptable,

But the mouth of fools spouts folly.

3 The eyes of the Lord are in every place,

Watching the evil and the good.

4 A soothing tongue is a tree of life,

But perversion in it crushes the spirit.