15 A gentle answer turns away anger,(A)
but a harsh word stirs up wrath.(B)

The tongue of the wise makes knowledge attractive,
but the mouth of fools blurts out foolishness.(C)

The eyes of the Lord are everywhere,
observing the wicked and the good.(D)

The tongue that heals is a tree of life,(E)
but a devious tongue[a] breaks the spirit.

A fool despises his father’s discipline,
but a person who accepts correction is sensible.(F)

The house of the righteous has great wealth,
but trouble accompanies the income of the wicked.

The lips of the wise broadcast knowledge,
but not so the heart of fools.

The sacrifice of the wicked is detestable to the Lord,(G)
but the prayer of the upright is His delight.(H)

The Lord detests the way of the wicked,
but He loves the one who pursues righteousness.(I)

10 Discipline is harsh for the one who leaves the path;
the one who hates correction will die.

11 Sheol and Abaddon lie open before the Lord(J)
how much more, human hearts.(K)

12 A mocker doesn’t love one who corrects him;(L)
he will not consult the wise.

13 A joyful heart makes a face cheerful,
but a sad heart produces a broken spirit.(M)

14 A discerning mind seeks knowledge,(N)
but the mouth of fools feeds on foolishness.(O)

15 All the days of the oppressed are miserable,
but a cheerful heart has a continual feast.

16 Better a little with the fear of the Lord
than great treasure with turmoil.(P)

17 Better a meal of vegetables where there is love
than a fattened ox(Q) with hatred.(R)

18 A hot-tempered man stirs up conflict,(S)
but a man slow to anger(T) calms strife.

19 A slacker’s way is like a thorny hedge,
but the path of the upright is a highway.(U)

20 A wise son brings joy to his father,
but a foolish man despises his mother.(V)

21 Foolishness brings joy to one without sense,
but a man with understanding walks a straight path.(W)

22 Plans fail when there is no counsel,
but with many advisers they succeed.(X)

23 A man takes joy in giving an answer;[b]
and a timely word—how good that is!(Y)

24 For the discerning the path of life leads upward,
so that he may avoid going down to Sheol.

25 The Lord destroys the house of the proud,
but He protects the widow’s territory.(Z)

26 The Lord detests the plans of an evil man,
but pleasant words are pure.(AA)

27 The one who profits dishonestly(AB) troubles his household,
but the one who hates bribes will live.(AC)

28 The mind of the righteous person thinks before answering,(AD)
but the mouth of the wicked blurts out evil things.(AE)

29 The Lord is far from the wicked,(AF)
but He hears the prayer of the righteous.(AG)

30 Bright eyes cheer the heart;
good news strengthens[c] the bones.(AH)

31 One who[d] listens to life-giving rebukes(AI)
will be at home among the wise.

32 Anyone who ignores discipline despises himself,(AJ)
but whoever listens to correction acquires good sense.[e](AK)

33 The fear of the Lord is what wisdom teaches,
and humility comes before honor.(AL)

Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 15:4 Lit but crookedness in it
  2. Proverbs 15:23 Lit in an answer of his mouth
  3. Proverbs 15:30 Lit makes fat
  4. Proverbs 15:31 Lit An ear that
  5. Proverbs 15:32 Lit acquires a heart

15 A gentle answer(A) turns away wrath,(B)
    but a harsh word stirs up anger.

The tongue of the wise adorns knowledge,(C)
    but the mouth of the fool gushes folly.(D)

The eyes(E) of the Lord are everywhere,(F)
    keeping watch on the wicked and the good.(G)

The soothing tongue(H) is a tree of life,(I)
    but a perverse tongue crushes the spirit.(J)

A fool spurns a parent’s discipline,
    but whoever heeds correction shows prudence.(K)

The house of the righteous contains great treasure,(L)
    but the income of the wicked brings ruin.(M)

The lips of the wise spread knowledge,(N)
    but the hearts of fools are not upright.

The Lord detests the sacrifice(O) of the wicked,(P)
    but the prayer of the upright pleases him.(Q)

The Lord detests the way of the wicked,(R)
    but he loves those who pursue righteousness.(S)

10 Stern discipline awaits anyone who leaves the path;
    the one who hates correction will die.(T)

11 Death and Destruction[a] lie open before the Lord(U)
    how much more do human hearts!(V)

12 Mockers resent correction,(W)
    so they avoid the wise.

13 A happy heart makes the face cheerful,(X)
    but heartache crushes the spirit.(Y)

14 The discerning heart seeks knowledge,(Z)
    but the mouth of a fool feeds on folly.

15 All the days of the oppressed are wretched,
    but the cheerful heart has a continual feast.(AA)

16 Better a little with the fear of the Lord
    than great wealth with turmoil.(AB)

17 Better a small serving of vegetables with love
    than a fattened calf with hatred.(AC)

18 A hot-tempered person stirs up conflict,(AD)
    but the one who is patient calms a quarrel.(AE)

19 The way of the sluggard is blocked with thorns,(AF)
    but the path of the upright is a highway.

20 A wise son brings joy to his father,(AG)
    but a foolish man despises his mother.

21 Folly brings joy to one who has no sense,(AH)
    but whoever has understanding keeps a straight course.

22 Plans fail for lack of counsel,(AI)
    but with many advisers(AJ) they succeed.(AK)

23 A person finds joy in giving an apt reply(AL)
    and how good is a timely word!(AM)

24 The path of life leads upward for the prudent
    to keep them from going down to the realm of the dead.

25 The Lord tears down the house of the proud,(AN)
    but he sets the widow’s boundary stones in place.(AO)

26 The Lord detests the thoughts(AP) of the wicked,(AQ)
    but gracious words are pure(AR) in his sight.

27 The greedy bring ruin to their households,
    but the one who hates bribes will live.(AS)

28 The heart of the righteous weighs its answers,(AT)
    but the mouth of the wicked gushes evil.(AU)

29 The Lord is far from the wicked,
    but he hears the prayer of the righteous.(AV)

30 Light in a messenger’s eyes brings joy to the heart,
    and good news gives health to the bones.(AW)

31 Whoever heeds life-giving correction
    will be at home among the wise.(AX)

32 Those who disregard discipline despise themselves,(AY)
    but the one who heeds correction gains understanding.(AZ)

33 Wisdom’s instruction is to fear the Lord,(BA)
    and humility comes before honor.(BB)

Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 15:11 Hebrew Abaddon