Chapter text
World English Bible
Verse-by-verse text with stable anchors, canonical chapter URLs, and copyable verse links.
- 1 A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.
- 2 The tongue of the wise commends knowledge, but the mouths of fools gush out folly.
- 3 The LORD’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 the LORD, but the prayer of the upright is his delight.
- 9 The way of the wicked is an abomination to the LORD, 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 the LORD— 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 the LORD, 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 The LORD will uproot the house of the proud, but he will keep the widow’s borders intact.
- 26 The LORD 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 The LORD 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 the LORD teaches wisdom. Before honor is humility.