Proverbs 15

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

² The tongue of the wise commends knowledge, but the mouths of fools gush out folly.

³ The LORD’s eyes are everywhere, keeping watch on the evil and the good.

⁴ A gentle tongue is a tree of life, but deceit in it crushes the spirit.

⁵ A fool despises his father’s correction, but he who heeds reproof shows prudence.

⁶ In the house of the righteous is much treasure, but the income of the wicked brings trouble.

⁷ The lips of the wise spread knowledge; not so with the heart of fools.

⁸ The sacrifice made by 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 him who follows after righteousness.

¹⁰ There is stern discipline for one who forsakes the way. Whoever hates reproof shall die.

¹¹ Sheol and Abaddon are before the LORD— how much more then the hearts of the children of men!

¹² A scoffer doesn’t love to be reproved; he will not go to the wise.

¹³ A glad heart makes a cheerful face, but an aching heart breaks the spirit.

¹⁴ The heart of one who has understanding seeks knowledge, but the mouths of fools feed on folly.

¹⁵ All the days of the afflicted are wretched, but one who has a cheerful heart enjoys a continual feast.

¹⁶ Better is little, with the fear of the LORD, than great treasure with trouble.

¹⁷ Better is a dinner of herbs, where love is, than a fattened calf with hatred.

¹⁸ A wrathful man stirs up contention, but one who is slow to anger appeases strife.

¹⁹ The way of the sluggard is like a thorn patch, 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 one who is void of wisdom, but a man of understanding keeps his way straight.

²² Where there is no counsel, plans fail; but in a multitude of counselors they are established.

²³ Joy comes to a man with the reply of his mouth. How good is a word at the right time!

²⁴ The path of life leads upward for the wise, to keep him from going downward to Sheol.

²⁵ The LORD will uproot the house of the proud, but he will keep the widow’s borders intact.

²⁶ The LORD detests the thoughts of the wicked, but the thoughts of the pure are pleasing.

²⁷ He who is greedy for gain troubles his own house, but he who hates bribes will live.

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

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

³⁰ The light of the eyes rejoices the heart. Good news gives health to the bones.

³¹ The ear that listens to reproof lives, and will be at home among the wise.

³² He who refuses correction despises his own soul, but he who listens to reproof gets understanding.

³³ The fear of the LORD teaches wisdom. Before honor is humility.