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15 A gentle answer turns away anger, but a sharp word causes anger.

The tongue of the wise uses much learning in a good way, but the mouth of fools speaks in a foolish way.

The eyes of the Lord are in every place, watching the bad and the good.

A gentle tongue is a tree of life, but a sinful tongue crushes the spirit.

A fool turns away from the strong teaching of his father, but he who remembers the strong words spoken to him is wise.

Great riches are in the house of those who are right with God, but trouble is what the sinful will receive.

The lips of the wise spread much learning, but the minds of fools do not.

The Lord hates the gifts of the sinful, but the prayer of the faithful is His joy.

The Lord hates the way of the sinful, but He loves him who follows what is right and good.

10 He who turns from the right way will be punished. He who hates strong words spoken to him will die.

11 The world of the dead lies open before the Lord. How much more the hearts of men!

12 A man who laughs at the truth has no love for the one who speaks strong words to him. He will not go to the wise.

13 A glad heart makes a happy face, but when the heart is sad, the spirit is broken.

14 The mind of him who has understanding looks for much learning, but the mouth of fools feeds on foolish ways.

15 All the days of the suffering are hard, but a glad heart has a special supper all the time.

16 A little with the fear of the Lord is better than great riches with trouble.

17 A dish of vegetables with love is better than eating the best meat with hate.

18 A man with a bad temper starts fights, but he who is slow to anger quiets fighting.

19 The path of the lazy man is grown over with thorns, but the path of the faithful is a good road.

20 A wise son makes a father glad, but a foolish man hates his mother.

21 A foolish way is joy to him who has no wisdom, but a man of understanding walks straight.

22 Plans go wrong without talking together, but they will go well when many wise men talk about what to do.

23 To give a good answer is a joy to a man, and how pleasing is a word given at the right time!

24 The path of life leads up for the wise, so he may keep away from hell below.

25 The Lord will tear down the house of the proud, but He will make a place for the woman whose husband has died.

26 The Lord hates the plans of the sinful, but the words of the pure are pleasing to Him.

27 He who gets things by doing wrong brings trouble to his family, but he who will not be paid in secret for wrong-doing will live.

28 The mind of the one who is right with God thinks about how to answer, but the mouth of the sinful pours out sinful things.

29 The Lord is far from the sinful, but He hears the prayer of those who are right with Him.

30 The light of the eyes makes the heart glad. Good news puts fat on the bones.

31 He whose ear listens to careful words spoken will live among the wise.

32 He who does not listen to strong teaching hates himself, but he who listens when strong words are spoken gets understanding.

33 The fear of the Lord is the teaching for wisdom, and having no pride comes before honor.

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.