15TH CHAPTER

1  A gentle answer turns away rage, 

but a harsh word stirs up anger. 

2  The tongues of wise people give good expression to knowledge, 

but the mouths of fools pour out a flood of stupidity. 

3  The eyes of the Lord are everywhere. 

They watch evil people and good people. 

4  A soothing tongue is a tree of life, 

but a deceitful tongue breaks the spirit. 

5  A stubborn fool despises his father’s discipline, 

but whoever appreciates a warning shows good sense. 

6  Great treasure is in the house of a righteous person, 

but trouble comes along with the income of a wicked person. 

7  The lips of wise people spread knowledge, 

but a foolish attitude does not. 

8  A sacrifice brought by wicked people is disgusting to the Lord, 

but the prayers of decent people please him. 

9  The way of wicked people is disgusting to the Lord, 

but he loves those who pursue righteousness. 

10  Discipline is a terrible ⸤burden⸥ to anyone who leaves the ⸤right⸥ path. 

Anyone who hates a warning will die. 

11  If Sheol and Abaddon lie open in front of the Lord 

how much more the human heart! 

12  A mocker does not appreciate a warning. 

He will not go to wise people. 

13  A joyful heart makes a cheerful face, 

but with a heartache comes depression. 

14  The mind of a person who has understanding searches for knowledge, 

but the mouths of fools feed on stupidity. 

15  Every day is a terrible day for a miserable person, 

but a cheerful heart has a continual feast. 

16  Better to have a little with the fear of the Lord 

than great treasure and turmoil. 

17  Better to have a dish of vegetables where there is love 

than juicy steaks where there is hate. 

18  A hothead stirs up a fight, 

but one who holds his temper calms disputes. 

19  The path of lazy people is like a thorny hedge, 

but the road of decent people is an ⸤open⸥ highway. 

A Wise Son Brings Blessings to Others

20  A wise son makes his father happy, 

but a foolish child despises its mother. 

21  Stupidity is fun to the one without much sense, 

but a person who has understanding forges straight ahead. 

22  Without advice plans go wrong, 

but with many advisers they succeed. 

23  A person is delighted to hear an answer from his own mouth, 

and a timely word—oh, how good! 

24  The path of life for a wise person leads upward 

in order to turn him away from hell below. 

25  The Lord tears down the house of an arrogant person, 

but he protects the property of widows. 

26  The thoughts of evil people are disgusting to the Lord, 

but pleasant words are pure to him. 

27  Whoever is greedy for unjust gain brings trouble to his family, 

but whoever hates bribes will live. 

28  The heart of a righteous person carefully considers how to answer, 

but the mouths of wicked people pour out a flood of evil things. 

29  The Lord is far from wicked people, 

but he hears the prayers of righteous people. 

30  A twinkle in the eye delights the heart. 

Good news refreshes the body. 

31  The ear that listens to a life-giving warning 

will be at home among wise people. 

32  Whoever ignores discipline despises himself, 

but the person who listens to warning gains understanding. 

33  The fear of the Lord is discipline ⸤leading to⸥ wisdom, 

and humility comes before honor.