Proverbs 15

A Gentle Answer

1A gentle answer turns away wrath,
but a harsh word
stirs up anger. 2The tongue of the wise
makes knowledge good,
but the mouth of fools
pours out folly. 3The eyes of the LORD
are in every place,
watching the evil
and the good. 4A healing tongue
is a tree of life,
but perversity in it
breaks the spirit. 5A fool despises
a father’s discipline,
but whoever heeds correction
is prudent.

The LORD Knows the Heart

6In the house of the righteous
there is great treasure,
but the income of the wicked
brings trouble. 7The lips of the wise
scatter knowledge,
but the hearts of fools
do not. 8The sacrifice of the wicked
is an abomination to the LORD,
but the prayer of the upright
is the LORD’s delight. 9The way of the wicked
is an abomination to the LORD,
but the LORD loves
the one who pursues righteousness. 10Severe discipline awaits
the one who abandons the path;
whoever hates correction
will die.

11Sheol and Abaddon
lie open before the LORD;
how much more
the hearts of human beings! 12A scoffer does not love
the one who corrects them;
they will not go
to the wise. 13A joyful heart
makes the face glad,
but sorrow of heart
crushes the spirit. 14The heart of the discerning
seeks knowledge,
but the mouth of fools
feeds on folly. 15All the days of the afflicted are difficult,
but a good heart
has a continual feast.

Better with the Fear of the LORD

16Better is a little
with the fear of the LORD
than great treasure
with turmoil. 17Better is a meal of vegetables
where there is love
than a fattened ox
with hatred. 18A hot-tempered person
stirs up conflict,
but one slow to anger
calms a quarrel. 19The way of the lazy
is like a hedge of thorns,
but the path of the upright
is a level road. 20A wise child makes a father glad,
but a foolish person
despises their mother.

The Path of Life

21Folly is joy
to one lacking sense,
but a person of understanding
walks straight ahead. 22Plans fail
where there is no counsel,
but with many advisers
they are established. 23A person has joy
in an appropriate answer,
and a word at the right time—
how good it is! 24The path of life
leads upward for the prudent,
turning them away
from Sheol below. 25The LORD tears down
the house of the proud
but establishes
the boundary of the widow.

26Evil plans
are an abomination to the LORD,
but gracious words
are pure. 27Whoever is greedy for unjust gain
troubles their own household,
but whoever hates bribes
will live. 28The heart of the righteous
considers how to answer,
but the mouth of the wicked
pours out evil. 29The LORD is far from the wicked,
but hears
the prayer of the righteous. 30The light of the eyes
makes the heart glad,
and good news
strengthens the bones. 31The ear that listens
to life-giving correction
will dwell among the wise. 32Whoever rejects discipline
despises their own life,
but whoever listens to correction
gains understanding. 33The fear of the LORD
is instruction in wisdom,
and before honor
comes humility.