[1]Anger slays even wise men; yet a submissive answer turns away wrath: but a grievous word stirs up anger.[2]The tongue of the wise knows what is good: but the mouth of the foolish tells out evil things.[3]The eyes of the Lord behold both the evil and the good in every place.[4]The wholesome tongue is a tree of life, and he that keeps it shall be filled with understanding.[5]A fool scorns his father's instruction; but he that keeps his commandments is more prudent. In abounding righteousness is great strength: but the ungodly shall utterly perish from the earth.[6]In the houses of the righteous is much strength: but the fruits of the ungodly shall perish.[7]The lips of the wise are bound by discretion: but the hearts of the foolish are not safe.[8]The sacrifices of the ungodly are an abomination to the Lord; but the prayers of them that walk honestly are acceptable with him.[9]The ways of an ungodly man are an abomination to the Lord; but he loves those that follow after righteousness.[10]The instruction of the simple is known by them that pass by; but they that hate reproofs die disgracefully.[11]Hell and destruction are manifest to the Lord; how shall not also be the hearts of men?[12]An uninstructed person will not love those that reprove him; neither will he associate with the wise.[13]When the heart rejoices the countenance is cheerful; but when it is in sorrow, the countenance is sad.[14]An upright heart seeks discretion; but the mouth of the uninstructed will experience evils.[15]The eyes of the wicked are always looking for evil things; but the good are always quiet.[16]Better is a small portion with the fear of the Lord, than great treasures without the fear of the Lord.[17]Better is an entertainment of herbs with friendliness and kindness, than a feast of calves, with enmity.[18]A passionate man stirs up strife; but he that is slow to anger appeases even a rising one. A man slow to anger will extinguish quarrels; but an ungodly man rather stirs them up.[19]The ways of sluggards are strewn with thorns; but those of the diligent are made smooth.[20]A wise son gladdens his father; but a foolish son sneers at his mother.[21]The ways of a foolish man are void of sense; but a wise man proceeds on his way aright.[22]They that honour not councils put off deliberation; but counsel abides in the hearts of counsellors.[23]A bad man will by no means attend to counsel; neither will he say anything seasonable, or good for the common weal.[24]The thoughts of the wise are ways of life, that he may turn aside and escape from hell.[25]The Lord pulls down the houses of scorners; but he establishes the border of the widow.[26]An unrighteous thought is abomination to the Lord; but the sayings of the pure are held in honour.[27]A receiver of bribes destroys himself; but he that hates the receiving of bribes is safe. [By alms and by faithful dealings sins are purged away;] but by the fear of the Lord every one departs from evil.[28]The hearts of the righteous meditate faithfulness; but the mouth of the ungodly answers evil things. The ways of righteous men are acceptable with the Lord; and through them even enemies become friends.[29]God is far from the ungodly; but he hearkens to the prayers of the righteous. Better are small receipts with righteousness, than abundant fruits with unrighteousness. Let the heart of a man think justly, that his steps may be rightly ordered of God. The eye that sees rightly rejoices the heart; and a good report fattens the bones.[30][No verse][31][No verse][32]He that rejects instruction hates himself; but he that mind reproofs loves his soul.[33]The fear of the Lord is instruction and wisdom; and the highest honour will correspond therewith.
Credit
Author: Sir Lancelot Charles Lee Brenton (1851)
Source: ecmarsh.com