Proverbs 15:18–16:8

18 A ahot-tempered man stirs up strife,

But the bslow to anger ccalms a dispute.

19 The way of the lazy is as a hedge of thorns,

But the path of the upright is a highway.

20 A awise son makes a father glad,

But a foolish man bdespises his mother.

21 Folly is joy to him who lacks 1sense,

But a man of understanding awalks straight.

22 Without consultation, plans are frustrated,

But with many counselors they 1succeed.

23 A aman has joy in an 1apt answer,

And how delightful is a timely bword!

24 The apath of life leads upward for the wise

That he may keep away from 1Sheol below.

25 The Lord will atear down the house of the proud,

But He will bestablish the boundary of the cwidow.

26 Evil plans are an abomination to the Lord,

But pleasant words are pure.

27 He who aprofits illicitly troubles his own house,

But he who bhates bribes will live.

28 The heart of the righteous aponders how to answer,

But the bmouth of the wicked pours out evil things.

29 The Lord is afar from the wicked,

But He bhears the prayer of the righteous.

30 1Bright eyes gladden the heart;

Good news puts fat on the bones.

31 He whose ear listens to the life-giving reproof

Will dwell among the wise.

32 He who aneglects discipline bdespises himself,

But he who clistens to reproof acquires 1understanding.

33 The 1fear of the Lord is the instruction for wisdom,

And before honor comes humility.

Chapter 16

Contrast the Upright and the Wicked

1 The aplans of the heart belong to man,

But the answer of the tongue is from the Lord.

2 All the ways of a man are clean in his own sight,

But the aLord weighs the 1motives.

3 1aCommit your works to the Lord

And your plans will be established.

4 The Lord ahas made everything for 1its own purpose,

Even the bwicked for the day of evil.

5 Everyone who is proud in heart is an abomination to the Lord;

Assuredly, he will not be unpunished.

6 By alovingkindness and truth iniquity is atoned for,

And by the 1bfear of the Lord one keeps away from evil.

7 When a man’s ways are pleasing to the Lord,

He amakes even his enemies to be at peace with him.

8 Better is a little with righteousness

Than great income with injustice.