Contrast the Upright and the Wicked
1 A softandgentleandthoughtful answer turns away wrath,
But harshandpainfulandcareless words stir up anger.
2 The tongue of the wise speaks knowledge that is pleasingandacceptable,
But the [babbling] mouth of fools spouts folly.
3 The eyes of the Lordare in every place,
Watching the evil and the good [in all their endeavors].
4 A soothing tongue [speaking words that build up and encourage] is a tree of life,
But a perversive tongue [speaking words that overwhelm and depress] crushes the spirit.
5 A [flippant, arrogant] fool rejects his father’s instructionandcorrection,
But he who [is willing to learn and] regardsandkeeps in mind a reprimand acquires good sense.
6 Greatandpriceless treasure is in the house of the [consistently] righteous one [who seeks godly instruction and grows in wisdom],
But trouble is in the income of the wicked one [who rejects the laws of God].
7 The lips of the wise spread knowledge [sifting it as chaff from the grain];
But the hearts of [shortsighted] fools are not so.
8 The sacrifice of the wicked is hatefulandexceedingly offensive to the Lord,
But the prayer of the upright is His delight!
9 The way [of life] of the wicked is hatefulandexceedingly offensive to the Lord,
But He loves one who pursues righteousness [personal integrity, moral courage and honorable character].
10 There is severe discipline for him whoturns from the way [of righteousness];
And he who hates correction will die.
11 Sheol (the nether world, the place of the dead) and Abaddon (the abyss, the place of eternal punishment)lie openbefore the Lord–
How much more the heartsandinner motives of the children of men.
12 A scoffer [unlike a wise man] resents one who rebukes himandtries to teach him;
Nor will he go to the wise [for counsel and instruction].
13 A heart full of joyandgoodness makes a cheerful face,
But when a heart is full of sadness the spirit is crushed.
14 The mind of the intelligentanddiscerning seeks knowledgeandeagerly inquires after it,
But the mouth of the [stubborn] fool feeds on foolishness.
15 All the days of the afflicted are bad,
But a glad heart has a continual feast [regardless of the circumstances].
16 Better is a little with the [reverent, worshipful] fear of the Lord
Than great treasure and trouble with it.
17 Better is a dinner of vegetablesandherbs where love is present
Than a fattened ox served with hatred.
18 A hot-tempered man stirs up strife,
But he who is slow to angerandpatient calms disputes.
19 The way of the lazy is like a hedge of thorns [it pricks, lacerates, and entangles him],
But the way [of life] of the upright is smoothandopen like a highway.
20 A wise son makes a father glad,
But a foolish man despises his mother.
21 Foolishness is joy to him who is without heartandlacks [intelligent, common] sense,
But a man of understanding walks uprightly [making his course straight].
22 Without consultationandwise advice, plans are frustrated,
But with many counselors they are established and succeed.
23 A man has joy in giving an appropriate answer,
And how goodanddelightful is a word spoken at the right moment–how good it is!
24 The [chosen] path of life leads upward for the wise,
That he may keep away from Sheol (the nether world, the place of the dead) below.
25 The Lordwill tear down the house of the proudandarrogant (self-righteous),
But He will establishandprotect the boundaries [of the land] of the [godly] widow.
26 Evil plansandthoughts of the wicked are exceedingly vileandoffensive to the Lord,
But pure words are pleasant words to Him.
27 He who profits unlawfully brings suffering to his own house,
But he who hates bribes [and does not receive nor pay them] will live.
28 The heart of the righteous thinks carefully about how to answer [in a wise and appropriate and timely way],
But the [babbling] mouth of the wicked pours out malevolent things.
29 The Lordis far from the wicked [and distances Himself from them],
But He hears the prayer of the [consistently] righteous [that is, those with spiritual integrity and moral courage].
30 The light of the eyes rejoices the hearts of others,
And good news puts fat on the bones.
31 The ear that listens toandlearns from the life-giving rebuke (reprimand, censure)
Will remain among the wise.
32 He who neglectsandignores instructionanddiscipline despises himself,
But he who learns from rebuke acquires understanding [and grows in wisdom].
33 The [reverent] fear of the Lord[that is, worshiping Him and regarding Him as truly awesome] is the instruction for wisdom [its starting point and its essence];
And before honor comes humility.