Proverbs 15

A gentle answer^d turns away wrath,^e

but a harsh word stirs up anger.

The tongue of the wise adorns knowledge,^f

but the mouth of the fool gushes folly.^g

The eyes^h of the Lord are everywhere,ⁱ

keeping watch on the wicked and the good.^j

The soothing tongue^k is a tree of life,^l

but a perverse tongue crushes the spirit.^m

A fool spurns a parent’s discipline,

but whoever heeds correction shows prudence.ⁿ

The house of the righteous contains great treasure,^o

but the income of the wicked brings ruin.^p

The lips of the wise spread knowledge,^q

but the hearts of fools are not upright.

The Lord detests the sacrifice^r of the wicked,^s

but the prayer of the upright pleases him.^t

The Lord detests the way of the wicked,^u

but he loves those who pursue righteousness.^v

Stern discipline awaits those who leave the path;

those who hate correction will die.^w

Death and Destruction lie open before the Lord^x—

how much more do human hearts!^y

Mockers resent correction,^z

so they avoid the wise.

A happy heart makes the face cheerful,^a

but heartache crushes the spirit.^b

The discerning heart seeks knowledge,^c

but the mouth of a fool feeds on folly.

All the days of the oppressed are wretched,

but the cheerful heart has a continual feast.^d

Better a little with the fear of the Lord

than great wealth with turmoil.^e

Better a small serving of vegetables with love

than a fattened calf with hatred.^f

The hot-tempered stir up dissension,^g

but those who are patient calm a quarrel.^h

The way of the sluggard is blocked with thorns,ⁱ

but the path of the upright is a highway.

Wise children bring joy to their father,^j

but foolish children despise their mother.

Folly brings joy to those who have no sense,^k

but those who have understanding keep a straight course.

Plans fail for lack of counsel,^l

but with many advisers^m they succeed.ⁿ

A person finds joy in giving an apt reply^o—

and how good is a timely word!^p

The path of life leads upward for the prudent

to keep them from going down to the realm of the dead.

The Lord tears down the house of the proud,^q

but he sets the widow’s boundary stones in place.^r

The Lord detests the thoughts^s of the wicked,^t

but gracious words are pure^u in his sight.

The greedy bring ruin to their households,

but those who hate bribes will live.^v

The heart of the righteous weighs its answers,^w

but the mouth of the wicked gushes evil.^x

The Lord is far from the wicked,

but he hears the prayer of the righteous.^y

Light in a messenger’s eyes brings joy to the heart,

and good news gives health to the bones.^z

Whoever heeds life-giving correction

will be at home among the wise.^a

Those who disregard discipline despise themselves,^b

but those who heed correction gain understanding.^c

Wisdom’s instruction is to fear the Lord,^d

and humility comes before honor.^e