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v1
A soft answer will turn away wrath, but a word of trouble will stir anger. ^[Literally “nostril”]
v2
The tongue of the wise will dispense knowledge, but the mouth of fools will pour out folly.
v3
In every place, the eyes of Yahweh keep watch over the evil and the good.
v4
Gentleness ^[Or “Healing”] of tongue is a tree of life, but perverseness in it ^[That is, the tongue] causes a break in spirit.
v5
A fool will despise the instruction of his father, but he who guards reproof is prudent.
v6
In the house of the righteous there is much treasure, but the income of the wicked brings trouble.
v7
The lips of the wise will spread knowledge, but the heart ^[Or “mind”] of fools, not so.
v8
The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination of Yahweh, but the prayer of the upright is his delight.
v9
An abomination of Yahweh is the way of the wicked, but he who pursues righteousness he will love.
v10
Severe discipline belongs to him who forsakes the way; he who hates a rebuke will die.
v11
Sheol ^[A term for the place where the dead reside, i.e., the Underworld] and Abaddon ^[Poetic synonym for “Sheol.” Only mentioned in the ot in relation to Sheol, the grave, or death.] are before Yahweh, how much more ^[Literally “more for”] the hearts of the children of men!
v12
A scoffer does not like his rebuke; ^[Literally “rebuke belonging to him”] to the wise he will not go.
v13
A heart ^[Or “mind”] of gladness will make good countenance, ^[Literally “faces”] but in sorrow of heart ^[Or “mind”] a spirit is broken.
v14
The heart of him who understands will seek knowledge, but the faces of fools, they ^[Hebrew “he/it”] will feed on folly.
v15
All the days of the poor are hard, but goodness of heart ^[Or “mind”] is a continuous feast.
v16
Better is little with the fear of Yahweh than great treasure and trouble with it. ^[Or “him”]
v17
Better is a dinner of vegetables when ^[Hebrew “and”] love is there than a fattened ox and hatred with it. ^[Or “him”]
v18
A man who is hot-tempered will stir up strife, but he who is slow to anger, ^[Literally “nostrils”] he will calm contention.
v19
The way of the lazy is like a hedge of thorns, ^[Hebrew “thorn”] but the path of the upright is a highway.
v20
A child of wisdom will make a father glad, but a foolish person, ^[Literally “foolishness of humankind”] he despises his mother.
v21
Folly is a joy to him who lacks sense, ^[Literally “heart”] and a person of understanding will walk upright. ^[Literally “he will walk upright walking”]
v22
Plans go wrong when there is no counsel, but with many advisors it will succeed.
v23
Joy belongs to a man with answers in his mouth, and a word in its time, how good it is!
v24
The path of life leads upward for him who has insight, in order to turn away from Sheol below.
v25
The house of the proud, Yahweh will tear it down, but he will maintain the property line ^[Literally “boundary”] of the widow.
v26
Plans of evil are an abomination of Yahweh, but gracious words are pure.
v27
He who makes trouble for his house is he who is greedy for unjust gain, but he who hates bribes will live.
v28
A heart ^[Or “mind”] of righteousness will ponder the answer, but a mouth of wickedness will pour out deceit.
v29
Yahweh is far from the wicked, but the prayers of the righteous he will hear.
v30
From the light of the eyes, the heart ^[Or “mind”] will rejoice, and good news will enliven the bones. ^[Hebrew “bone”]
v31
The ear of him who listens to admonitions of life, in the midst of the wise it will lodge.
v32
He who ignores instruction despises himself, ^[Or “soul,” or “inner self”] but he who hears admonition gains heart. ^[Or “mind”]
v33
Fear of Yahweh is the instruction of the wise, and before honor comes humility.