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.