Proverbs 15

1 A gentle answer turns away wrath,
but a harsh word stirs up anger.

2 The tongue of the wise adorns knowledge,
but the mouth of the fool gushes folly.

3 The eyes of the Lord are everywhere,
keeping watch on the wicked and the good.

4 The soothing tongue is a tree of life,
but a perverse tongue crushes the spirit.

5 A fool spurns a parent’s discipline,
but whoever heeds correction shows prudence.

6 The house of the righteous contains great treasure,
but the income of the wicked brings ruin.

7 The lips of the wise spread knowledge,
but the hearts of fools are not upright.

8 The Lord detests the sacrifice of the wicked,
but the prayer of the upright pleases him.

9 The Lord detests the way of the wicked,
but he loves those who pursue righteousness.

10 Stern discipline awaits those who leave the path;
those who hate correction will die.

11 Death and Destruction lie open before the Lord—
how much more do human hearts!

12 Mockers resent correction,
so they avoid the wise.

13 A happy heart makes the face cheerful,
but heartache crushes the spirit.

14 The discerning heart seeks knowledge,
but the mouth of a fool feeds on folly.

15 All the days of the oppressed are wretched,
but the cheerful heart has a continual feast.

16 Better a little with the fear of the Lord
than great wealth with turmoil.

17 Better a small serving of vegetables with love
than a fattened calf with hatred.

18 The hot-tempered stir up dissension,
but those who are patient calm a quarrel.

19 The way of the sluggard is blocked with thorns,
but the path of the upright is a highway.

20 Wise children bring joy to their father,
but foolish children despise their mother.

21 Folly brings joy to those who have no sense,
but those who have understanding keep a straight course.

22 Plans fail for lack of counsel,
but with many advisers they succeed.

23 A person finds joy in giving an apt reply—
and how good is a timely word!

24 The path of life leads upward for the prudent
to keep them from going down to the realm of the dead.

25 The Lord tears down the house of the proud,
but he sets the widow’s boundary stones in place.

26 The Lord detests the thoughts of the wicked,
but gracious words are pure in his sight.

27 The greedy bring ruin to their households,
but those who hate bribes will live.

28 The heart of the righteous weighs its answers,
but the mouth of the wicked gushes evil.

29 The Lord is far from the wicked,
but he hears the prayer of the righteous.

30 Light in a messenger’s eyes brings joy to the heart,
and good news gives health to the bones.

31 Whoever heeds life-giving correction
will be at home among the wise.

32 Those who disregard discipline despise themselves,
but those who heed correction gain understanding.

33 Wisdom’s instruction is to fear the Lord,
and humility comes before honor.

PROVERBS 15

The [Lord] Sees Everything

1 A kind answer
soothes angry feelings,
but harsh words
stir them up.

2 Words of wisdom
come from the wise,
but fools speak foolishness.

3 The [Lord] sees everything,
whether good or bad.

4 Kind words are good medicine,
but deceitful words
can really hurt.

5 Don't be a fool
and disobey your parents.
Be smart! Accept correction.

6 Good people become wealthy,
but those who are evil
will lose what they have.

7 Words of wisdom
make good sense;
the thoughts of a fool
make no sense at all.

8 The [Lord] is disgusted
by gifts from the wicked,
but it makes him happy
when his people pray.

9 The [Lord] is disgusted
with all who do wrong,
but he loves everyone
who does right.

10 If you turn from the right way,
you will be punished;
if you refuse correction,
you will die.

11 If the [Lord] can see everything
in the world of the dead,
he can see in our hearts.

12 Those who sneer at others
don't like to be corrected,
and they won't ask help
from someone with sense.

13 Happiness makes you smile;
sorrow can crush you.

14 Anyone with good sense
is eager to learn more,
but fools are hungry
for foolishness.

15 The poor have a hard life,
but being content is as good
as an endless feast.

16 It's better to obey the [Lord]
and have only a little,
than to be very rich
and terribly anxious.

17 A simple meal with love
is better than a feast
where there is hatred.

18 Losing your temper
causes a lot of trouble,
but staying calm
settles arguments.

19 A lazy person refuses
to clear a thorny path,
but everyone who does right
walks on a smooth road.

20 Children with good sense
make their parents happy,
but foolish children
despise them.

21 Stupidity brings happiness
to senseless fools,
but everyone with good sense
follows the straight path.

22 Without good advice
everything goes wrong—
it takes careful planning
for things to go right.

23 Giving the right answer
at the right time
makes everyone happy.

24 All who are wise follow a road
that leads upward to life
and away from death.

25 The [Lord] destroys the homes
of those who are proud,
but he protects the property
of widows.

26 The [Lord] hates evil thoughts,
but kind words please him.

27 Being greedy causes trouble
for your family,
but you protect yourself
by refusing bribes.

28 Good people think
before they answer,
but the wicked speak evil
without ever thinking.

29 The [Lord] never even hears
the prayers of the wicked,
but he answers the prayers
of all who obey him.

30 A friendly smile
makes you happy,
and good news
makes you feel strong.

31 Healthy correction is good,
and if you accept it,
you will be wise.

32 You hurt only yourself
by rejecting instruction,
but it makes good sense
to accept it.

33 Showing respect to the [Lord]
will make you wise,
and being humble
will bring honor to you.