15 A soft answer turns away wrath,
    but grievous words stir up anger.

² The tongue of the wise uses knowledge aright,
    but the mouth of fools pours out 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 crushes the spirit.

⁵ A fool despises his father’s instruction,
    but he who regards reproof is prudent.

⁶ In the house of the righteous is much treasure,
    but in the revenue of the wicked is trouble.

⁷ The lips of the wise disperse knowledge,
    but the heart of the foolish does not do so.

⁸ The sacrifice of 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 unto the Lord,
    but He loves him who follows after righteousness.

¹⁰ Correction is grievous to him who forsakes the way,
    and he who hates reproof will die.

¹¹ Death and destruction are before the Lord;
    so how much more the hearts of the children of men.

¹² A scorner does not love one who reproves him,
    nor will he go to the wise.

¹³ A merry heart makes a cheerful countenance,
    but by sorrow of the heart the spirit is broken.

¹⁴ The heart of him who has understanding seeks knowledge,
    but the mouth of fools feeds on foolishness.

¹⁵ All the days of the afflicted are evil,
    but he who is of a merry heart has a continual feast.