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15 A gentle answer deflects anger,
    but harsh words make tempers flare.

The tongue of the wise makes knowledge appealing,
    but the mouth of a fool belches out foolishness.

The Lord is watching everywhere,
    keeping his eye on both the evil and the good.

Gentle words are a tree of life;
    a deceitful tongue crushes the spirit.

Only a fool despises a parent’s[a] discipline;
    whoever learns from correction is wise.

There is treasure in the house of the godly,
    but the earnings of the wicked bring trouble.

The lips of the wise give good advice;
    the heart of a fool has none to give.

The Lord detests the sacrifice of the wicked,
    but he delights in the prayers of the upright.

The Lord detests the way of the wicked,
    but he loves those who pursue godliness.

10 Whoever abandons the right path will be severely disciplined;
    whoever hates correction will die.

11 Even Death and Destruction[b] hold no secrets from the Lord.
    How much more does he know the human heart!

12 Mockers hate to be corrected,
    so they stay away from the wise.

13 A glad heart makes a happy face;
    a broken heart crushes the spirit.

14 A wise person is hungry for knowledge,
    while the fool feeds on trash.

15 For the despondent, every day brings trouble;
    for the happy heart, life is a continual feast.

16 Better to have little, with fear for the Lord,
    than to have great treasure and inner turmoil.

17 A bowl of vegetables with someone you love
    is better than steak with someone you hate.

18 A hot-tempered person starts fights;
    a cool-tempered person stops them.

19 A lazy person’s way is blocked with briers,
    but the path of the upright is an open highway.

20 Sensible children bring joy to their father;
    foolish children despise their mother.

21 Foolishness brings joy to those with no sense;
    a sensible person stays on the right path.

22 Plans go wrong for lack of advice;
    many advisers bring success.

23 Everyone enjoys a fitting reply;
    it is wonderful to say the right thing at the right time!

24 The path of life leads upward for the wise;
    they leave the grave[c] behind.

25 The Lord tears down the house of the proud,
    but he protects the property of widows.

26 The Lord detests evil plans,
    but he delights in pure words.

27 Greed brings grief to the whole family,
    but those who hate bribes will live.

28 The heart of the godly thinks carefully before speaking;
    the mouth of the wicked overflows with evil words.

29 The Lord is far from the wicked,
    but he hears the prayers of the righteous.

30 A cheerful look brings joy to the heart;
    good news makes for good health.

31 If you listen to constructive criticism,
    you will be at home among the wise.

32 If you reject discipline, you only harm yourself;
    but if you listen to correction, you grow in understanding.

33 Fear of the Lord teaches wisdom;
    humility precedes honor.

Footnotes

  1. 15:5 Hebrew father’s.
  2. 15:11 Hebrew Sheol and Abaddon.
  3. 15:24 Hebrew Sheol.

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 person stirs up conflict,(S)
but one 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 person with understanding walks a straight path.(W)

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

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

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

25 The Lord tears apart the house of the proud,
but he protects the widow’s territory.(Z)

26 The Lord detests the plans of the one who is evil,
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. 15:4 Lit but crookedness in it
  2. 15:23 Lit in an answer of his mouth
  3. 15:30 Lit makes fat
  4. 15:31 Lit An ear that
  5. 15:32 Lit acquires a heart