Proverbs 15

15A gentle answer turns away anger,^v

but a harsh word stirs up wrath.^w

²The tongue of the wise makes knowledge attractive,

but the mouth of fools blurts out foolishness.^x

³The eyes of the Lord are everywhere,

observing the wicked and the good.^y

⁴The tongue that heals is a tree of life,^z

but a devious tongue^A breaks the spirit.

⁵A fool despises his father’s discipline,

but a person who accepts correction is sensible.^aa

⁶The house of the righteous has great wealth,

but trouble accompanies the income of the wicked.

⁷The lips of the wise broadcast knowledge,

but not so the heart of fools.

⁸The sacrifice of the wicked is detestable to the Lord,^a

but the prayer of the upright is his delight.^b

⁹The Lord detests the way of the wicked,

but he loves the one who pursues righteousness.^c

¹⁰Discipline is harsh for the one who leaves the path;

the one who hates correction will die.

¹¹Sheol and Abaddon lie open before the Lord^d —

how much more, human hearts.^e

¹²A mocker doesn’t love one who corrects him;^f

he will not consult the wise.

¹³A joyful heart makes a face cheerful,

but a sad heart produces a broken spirit.^g

¹⁴A discerning mind seeks knowledge,^h

but the mouth of fools feeds on foolishness.ⁱ

¹⁵All the days of the oppressed are miserable,

but a cheerful heart has a continual feast.

¹⁶Better a little with the fear of the Lord

than great treasure with turmoil.^j

¹⁷Better a meal of vegetables where there is love

than a fattened ox^k with hatred.^l

¹⁸A hot-tempered person stirs up conflict,^m

but one slow to angerⁿ calms strife.

¹⁹A slacker’s way is like a thorny hedge,

but the path of the upright is a highway.^o

²⁰A wise son brings joy to his father,

but a foolish man despises his mother.^p

²¹Foolishness brings joy to one without sense,

but a person with understanding walks a straight path.^q

²²Plans fail when there is no counsel,

but with many advisers they succeed.^r

²³A person takes joy in giving an answer;^A

and a timely word—how good that is!^s

²⁴For the prudent the path of life leads upward,

so that he may avoid going down to Sheol.

²⁵The Lord tears apart the house of the proud,

but he protects the widow’s territory.^t

²⁶The Lord detests the plans of the one who is evil,

but pleasant words are pure.^u

²⁷The one who profits dishonestly^v troubles his household,

but the one who hates bribes will live.^w

²⁸The mind of the righteous person thinks before answering,^x

but the mouth of the wicked blurts out evil things.^y

²⁹The Lord is far from the wicked,^z

but he hears the prayer of the righteous.^aa

³⁰Bright eyes cheer the heart;

good news strengthens^B the bones.^ab

³¹One who^C listens to life-giving rebukes^ac

will be at home among the wise.

³²Anyone who ignores discipline despises himself,^ad

but whoever listens to correction acquires good sense.^Da

³³The fear of the Lord is what wisdom teaches,

and humility comes before honor.^b