Proverbs 15

¹ A mild answer calms wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.

² The tongue of the wise pours out knowledge, but the mouth of fools spurts forth folly.

³ The eyes of the LORD are in every place, keeping watch on the evil and the good.

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

⁵ The fool spurns his father's admonition, but prudent is he who heeds reproof.

⁶ In the house of the just there are ample resources, but the earnings of the wicked are in turmoil.

⁷ The lips of the wise disseminate knowledge, but the heart of fools is perverted.

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 the man who pursues virtue.

¹⁰ Severe punishment is in store for the man who goes astray; he who hates reproof will die.

¹¹ The nether world and the abyss lie open before the LORD; how much more the hearts of men!

¹² The senseless man loves not to be reproved; to wise men he will not go.

¹³ A glad heart lights up the face, but by mental anguish the spirit is broken.

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

¹⁵ Every day is miserable for the depressed, but a lighthearted man has a continual feast.

¹⁶ Better a little with fear of the LORD than a great fortune with anxiety.

¹⁷ Better a dish of herbs where love is than a fatted ox and hatred with it.

¹⁸ An ill-tempered man stirs up strife, but a patient man allays discord.

¹⁹ The way of the sluggard is hemmed in as with thorns, but the path of the diligent is a highway.

²⁰ A wise son makes his father glad, but a fool of a man despises his mother.

²¹ Folly is joy to the senseless man, but the man of understanding goes the straight way.

²² Plans fail when there is no counsel, but they succeed when counselors are many.

²³ There is joy for a man in his utterance; a word in season, how good it is!

²⁴ The path of life leads the prudent man upward, that he may avoid the nether world below.

²⁵ The LORD overturns the house of the proud, but he preserves intact the widow's landmark.

²⁶ The wicked man's schemes are an abomination to the LORD, but the pure speak what is pleasing to him.

²⁷ He who is greedy of gain brings ruin on his own house, but he who hates bribes will live.

²⁸ The just man weighs well his utterance, but the mouth of the wicked pours out evil.

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

³⁰ A cheerful glance brings joy to the heart; good news invigorates the bones.

³¹ He who listens to salutary reproof will abide among the wise.

³² He who rejects admonition despises his own soul, but he who heeds reproof gains understanding.

³³ The fear of the LORD is training for wisdom, and humility goes before honors.