Proverbs 15

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

² The tongue of the wise dispenses knowledge, but the mouths of fools pour out folly.

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

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

⁵ A fool despises his father's instruction, but he who heeds admonition is prudent.

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

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

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 him who pursues righteousness.

¹⁰ There is severe discipline 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 like to be reproved; he will not go to the wise.

¹³ A glad heart makes a cheerful countenance, but by sorrow of heart the spirit is broken.

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

¹⁵ All the days of the afflicted are evil, but a cheerful heart has a continual feast.

¹⁶ Better is a little with the fear of the LORD than great treasure and trouble with it.

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

¹⁸ A hot-tempered man stirs up strife, but he who is slow to anger quiets contention.

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

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

²¹ Folly is a joy to him who has no sense, but a man of understanding walks aright.

²² Without counsel plans go wrong, but with many advisers they succeed.

²³ To make an apt answer is a joy to a man, and a word in season, how good it is!

²⁴ The wise man's path leads upward to life, that he may avoid Sheol beneath.

²⁵ The LORD tears down the house of the proud, but maintains the widow's boundaries.

²⁶ The thoughts of the wicked are an abomination to the LORD, the words of the pure are pleasing to him.

²⁷ He who is greedy for unjust gain makes trouble for his household, but he who hates bribes will live.

²⁸ The mind 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 The light of the eyes rejoices the heart, and good news refreshes the bones.

³¹ He whose ear heeds wholesome admonition will abide among the wise.

³² He who ignores instruction despises himself, but he who heeds admonition gains understanding.

³³ The fear of the LORD is instruction in wisdom, and humility goes before honor.