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 anyone who leaves the path;
the one who hates correction will die.

11 Death and Destructiont 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 A hot-tempered person stirs up conflict,
but the one who is patient calms a quarrel.

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

20 A wise son brings joy to his father,
but a foolish man despises his mother.

21 Folly brings joy to one who has no sense,
but whoever has understanding keeps 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 the one who hates 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 the one who heeds correction gains understanding.

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

Proverbs 15

Contrast the Upright and the Wicked

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

2 The tongue of the wise makes knowledge acceptable,
But the mouth of fools spouts folly.

3 The eyes of the LORD are in every place,
Watching the evil and the good.

4 A soothing tongue is a tree of life,
But perversion in it crushes the spirit.

5 A fool rejects his father's discipline,
But he who regards reproof is sensible.

6 Great wealth is in the house of the righteous,
But trouble is in the income of the wicked.

7 The lips of the wise spread knowledge,
But the hearts of fools are not 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 to the LORD,
But He loves one who pursues righteousness.

10 Grievous punishment is for him who forsakes the way;
He who hates reproof will die.

11 Sheol and Abaddon lie open before the LORD,
How much more the hearts of men!

12 A scoffer does not love one who reproves him,
He will not go to the wise.

13 A joyful heart makes a cheerful face,
But when the heart is sad, the spirit is broken.

14 The mind of the intelligent seeks knowledge,
But the mouth of fools feeds on folly.

15 All the days of the afflicted are bad,
But a cheerful heart has a continual feast.

16 Better is a little with the fear of the LORD
Than great treasure and turmoil with it.

17 Better is a dish of vegetables where love is
Than a fattened ox served with hatred.

18 A hot-tempered man stirs up strife,
But the slow to anger calms a dispute.

19 The way of the lazy is as a hedge of thorns,
But the path of the upright is a highway.

20 A wise son makes a father glad,
But a foolish man despises his mother.

21 Folly is joy to him who lacks sense,
But a man of understanding walks straight.

22 Without consultation, plans are frustrated,
But with many counselors they succeed.

23 A man has joy in an apt answer,
And how delightful is a timely word!

24 The path of life leads upward for the wise
That he may keep away from Sheol below.

25 The LORD will tear down the house of the proud,
But He will establish the boundary of the widow.

26 Evil plans are an abomination to the LORD,
But pleasant words are pure.

27 He who profits illicitly troubles his own house,
But he who hates bribes will live.

28 The heart of the righteous ponders how to answer,
But the mouth of the wicked pours out evil things.

29 The LORD is far from the wicked,
But He hears the prayer of the righteous.

30 Bright eyes gladden the heart;
Good news puts fat on the bones.

31 He whose ear listens to the life-giving reproof
Will dwell among the wise.

32 He who neglects discipline despises himself,
But he who listens to reproof acquires understanding.

33 The fear of the LORD is the instruction for wisdom,
And before honor comes humility.