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but a harsh word stirs up anger.
2 The tongue of the wise makes knowledge commendable,
but the mouth of the fool pours out folly.
3 The eyes of the Lord are in every place,
keeping watch on the evil and the good.
4 The tongue that heals is a tree of life,
but a deceitful tongue crushes the spirit.
5 A fool despises his father’s instruction,
but whoever heeds correction is prudent.
6 In the house of the righteous there is great treasure,
but trouble accompanies the income of the wicked.
7 The lips of the wise spread knowledge,
but the hearts of the foolish are not so.
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 the one who pursues righteousness.
10 Harsh discipline is in store for the one who leaves the path;
he who hates correction will die.
11 Sheol and Abaddon lie open before the Lord—
how much more the hearts of people!
12 A mocker does not love one who corrects him;
he will not consult the wise.
13 A joyful heart makes the face cheerful
but by sorrow of heart the spirit is broken.
14 The discerning mind seeks knowledge,
but the mouth of a fool feeds on folly.
15 All the days of the oppressed are miserable,
but one with a cheerful heart has a continual feast.
16 Better a little with the fear of the Lord
than great wealth with turmoil.
17 Better is a dinner of vegetables where there is love,
than a fattened calf and hatred with it.
18 A hot-tempered man stirs up strife,
but a man who is slow to anger calms strife.
19 The way of a lazy man is like a hedge of thorns,
but the path of the upright is a highway.
20 A wise son brings joy to a father,
but a foolish man despises his mother.
21 Folly delights a man who lacks sense,
but a man with understanding walks a straight path.
22 Plans fail when there is no counsel,
but with many advisers they succeed.
23 A man finds joy in giving an apt answer,
and a timely word spoken is good indeed!
24 The path of life leads upward for the wise,
so that he may avoid going down to Sheol.
25 The Lord destroys the house of the proud,
but He maintains the widow’s boundaries.
26 The thoughts of the wicked are detestable to the Lord,
but the words of the pure are pleasant.
27 A greedy man brings trouble on his own household,
but he who hates bribes will live.
28 The heart of the righteous measures his answers,
but the mouth of the wicked gushes evil.
29 The Lord is far from the wicked,
but He hears the prayer of the righteous.
30 Bright eyes bring joy to the heart,
and good news give strength to the bones.
31 The ear that heeds life-giving rebukes
are at home among the wise.
32 He who ignores instruction despises himself,
but whoever heeds correction gains understanding.
33 The fear of the Lord is the instruction of wisdom,
and humility comes before honour.