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31 He who oppresses a poor man insults his Maker,
    but he who is kind to the needy honors him.
32 The wicked is overthrown through his evil-doing,
    but the righteous finds refuge through his integrity.[a]
33 Wisdom abides in the mind of a man of understanding,
    but it is not[b] known in the heart of fools.
34 Righteousness exalts a nation,
    but sin is a reproach to any people.
35 A servant who deals wisely has the king’s favor,
    but his wrath falls on one who acts shamefully.
15 A soft answer turns away wrath,
but a harsh word stirs up anger.
The tongue of the wise dispenses knowledge,[c]
    but the mouths of fools pour out folly.
The eyes of the Lord are in every place,
    keeping watch on the evil and the good.
A gentle tongue is a tree of life,
    but perverseness in it breaks the spirit.
A fool despises his father’s instruction,
    but he who heeds admonition is prudent.
In the house of the righteous there is much treasure,
    but trouble befalls the income of the wicked.
The lips of the wise spread knowledge;
    not so the minds of fools.
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 to the Lord,
    but he loves him who pursues righteousness.
10 There is severe discipline for him who forsakes the way;
    he who hates reproof will die.
11 Sheol and Abaddon lie open before the Lord
    how much more the hearts of men!
12 A scoffer does not like to be reproved;
    he will not go to the wise.
13 A glad heart makes a cheerful countenance,
    but by sorrow of heart the spirit is broken.
14 The mind of him who has understanding seeks knowledge,
    but the mouths of fools feed on folly.
15 All the days of the afflicted are evil,
    but a cheerful heart has a continual feast.
16 Better is a little with the fear of the Lord
    than great treasure and trouble with it.
17 Better is a dinner of herbs where love is
    than a fatted ox and hatred with it.

Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 14:32 Gk Syr: Heb in his death
  2. Proverbs 14:33 Gk Syr: Heb lacks not
  3. Proverbs 15:2 Cn: Heb makes knowledge good

31 Whoever oppresses the poor shows contempt for their Maker,(A)
    but whoever is kind to the needy honors God.(B)

32 When calamity comes, the wicked are brought down,(C)
    but even in death the righteous seek refuge in God.(D)

33 Wisdom reposes in the heart of the discerning(E)
    and even among fools she lets herself be known.[a]

34 Righteousness exalts a nation,(F)
    but sin condemns any people.

35 A king delights in a wise servant,
    but a shameful servant arouses his fury.(G)

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

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

The eyes(L) of the Lord are everywhere,(M)
    keeping watch on the wicked and the good.(N)

The soothing tongue(O) is a tree of life,(P)
    but a perverse tongue crushes the spirit.(Q)

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

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

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

The Lord detests the sacrifice(V) of the wicked,(W)
    but the prayer of the upright pleases him.(X)

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

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

11 Death and Destruction[b] lie open before the Lord(AB)
    how much more do human hearts!(AC)

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

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

14 The discerning heart seeks knowledge,(AG)
    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.(AH)

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

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

Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 14:33 Hebrew; Septuagint and Syriac discerning / but in the heart of fools she is not known
  2. Proverbs 15:11 Hebrew Abaddon