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15 A gentle answer turns anger away.
    But mean words stir up anger.

The tongues of wise people use knowledge well.
    But the mouths of foolish people pour out foolish words.

The eyes of the Lord are everywhere.
    They watch those who are evil and those who are good.

A tongue that calms is like a tree of life.
    But a tongue that tells lies produces a broken spirit.

A foolish person turns their back on their parent’s correction.
    But anyone who accepts correction shows understanding.

The houses of those who do what is right hold great wealth.
    But those who do what is wrong earn only ruin.

The lips of wise people spread knowledge.
    But the hearts of foolish people are not honest.

The Lord hates the sacrifice of sinful people.
    But the prayers of honest people please him.

The Lord hates how sinners live.
    But he loves those who run after what is right.

10 Hard training is in store for anyone who leaves the right path.
    A person who hates to be corrected will die.

11 Death and the Grave lie open in front of the Lord.
    So human hearts certainly lie open to him!

12 People who make fun of others don’t like to be corrected.
    So they stay away from wise people.

13 A happy heart makes a face look cheerful.
    But a sad heart produces a broken spirit.

14 A heart that understands what is right looks for knowledge.
    But the mouths of foolish people feed on what is foolish.

15 All the days of those who are crushed are filled with pain and suffering.
    But a cheerful heart enjoys a good time that never ends.

16 It is better to have respect for the Lord and have little
    than to be rich and have trouble.

17 A few vegetables where there is love
    are better than the finest meat where there is hatred.

18 A person with a bad temper stirs up conflict.
    But a person who is patient calms things down.

19 The way of people who don’t want to work is blocked with thorns.
    But the path of honest people is a wide road.

20 A wise son makes his father glad.
    But a foolish son hates his mother.

21 A person who has no sense enjoys doing foolish things.
    But a person who has understanding walks straight ahead.

22 Plans fail without good advice.
    But they succeed when there are many advisers.

23 Joy is found in giving the right answer.
    And how good is a word spoken at the right time!

24 The path of life leads up for those who are wise.
    It keeps them from going down to the place of the dead.

25 The Lord tears down the proud person’s house.
    But he keeps the widow’s property safe.

26 The Lord hates the thoughts of sinful people.
    But he considers kind words to be pure.

27 Those who always want more bring ruin to their households.
    But a person who refuses to be paid to lie will live.

28 The hearts of those who do right think about how they will answer.
    But the mouths of those who do wrong pour out evil.

29 The Lord is far away from those who do wrong.
    But he hears the prayers of those who do right.

30 The cheerful look of a messenger brings joy to your heart.
    And good news gives health to your body.

31 Whoever listens to a warning that gives life
    will be at home among those who are wise.

32 Those who turn away from correction hate themselves.
    But anyone who accepts correction gains understanding.

33 Wisdom teaches you to have respect for the Lord.
    So don’t be proud if you want to be honored.

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

15 A soft answer turneth away wrath: but grievous words stir up anger.

The tongue of the wise useth knowledge aright: but the mouth of fools poureth out foolishness.

The eyes of the Lord are in every place, beholding the evil and the good.

A wholesome tongue is a tree of life: but perverseness therein is a breach in the spirit.

A fool despiseth his father's instruction: but he that regardeth reproof is prudent.

In the house of the righteous is much treasure: but in the revenues of the wicked is trouble.

The lips of the wise disperse knowledge: but the heart of the foolish doeth not so.

The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination to the Lord: but the prayer of the upright is his delight.

The way of the wicked is an abomination unto the Lord: but he loveth him that followeth after righteousness.

10 Correction is grievous unto him that forsaketh the way: and he that hateth reproof shall die.

11 Hell and destruction are before the Lord: how much more then the hearts of the children of men?

12 A scorner loveth not one that reproveth him: neither will he go unto the wise.

13 A merry heart maketh a cheerful countenance: but by sorrow of the heart the spirit is broken.

14 The heart of him that hath understanding seeketh knowledge: but the mouth of fools feedeth on foolishness.

15 All the days of the afflicted are evil: but he that is of a merry heart hath a continual feast.

16 Better is little with the fear of the Lord than great treasure and trouble therewith.

17 Better is a dinner of herbs where love is, than a stalled ox and hatred therewith.

18 A wrathful man stirreth up strife: but he that is slow to anger appeaseth strife.

19 The way of the slothful man is as an hedge of thorns: but the way of the righteous is made plain.

20 A wise son maketh a glad father: but a foolish man despiseth his mother.

21 Folly is joy to him that is destitute of wisdom: but a man of understanding walketh uprightly.

22 Without counsel purposes are disappointed: but in the multitude of counsellors they are established.

23 A man hath joy by the answer of his mouth: and a word spoken in due season, how good is it!

24 The way of life is above to the wise, that he may depart from hell beneath.

25 The Lord will destroy the house of the proud: but he will establish the border of the widow.

26 The thoughts of the wicked are an abomination to the Lord: but the words of the pure are pleasant words.

27 He that is greedy of gain troubleth his own house; but he that hateth gifts shall live.

28 The heart of the righteous studieth to answer: but the mouth of the wicked poureth out evil things.

29 The Lord is far from the wicked: but he heareth the prayer of the righteous.

30 The light of the eyes rejoiceth the heart: and a good report maketh the bones fat.

31 The ear that heareth the reproof of life abideth among the wise.

32 He that refuseth instruction despiseth his own soul: but he that heareth reproof getteth understanding.

33 The fear of the Lord is the instruction of wisdom; and before honour is humility.