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15 A soft answer turns away wrath,
    but a harsh word stirs up anger.(A)
The tongue of the wise adorns knowledge,
    but the mouths of fools pour out folly.(B)
The eyes of the Lord are in every place,
    keeping watch on the evil and the good.(C)
A gentle tongue is a tree of life,
    but perverseness in it breaks the spirit.
A fool despises a parent’s instruction,
    but the one who heeds admonition is prudent.(D)
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.(E)
The way of the wicked is an abomination to the Lord,
    but he loves the one who pursues righteousness.(F)
10 There is severe discipline for one who forsakes the way;
    one who hates a rebuke will die.(G)
11 Sheol and Abaddon lie open before the Lord;
    how much more human hearts!(H)
12 Scoffers do not like to be rebuked;
    they will not go to the wise.(I)
13 A glad heart makes a cheerful countenance,
    but by sorrow of heart the spirit is broken.(J)
14 The mind of one who has understanding seeks knowledge,
    but the mouths of fools feed on folly.
15 All the days of the poor are hard,
    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.(K)
17 Better is a dinner of vegetables where love is
    than a fatted ox and hatred with it.(L)
18 Those who are hot-tempered stir up strife,
    but those who are slow to anger calm contention.(M)
19 The way of the lazy is overgrown with thorns,
    but the path of the upright is a level highway.(N)
20 A wise child makes a glad father,
    but the foolish despise their mothers.(O)
21 Folly is a joy to one who has no sense,
    but a person of understanding walks straight ahead.(P)
22 Without counsel, plans go wrong,
    but with many advisers they succeed.(Q)
23 To make an apt answer is a joy to anyone,
    and a word in season, how good it is!(R)
24 For the wise the path of life leads upward,
    in order to avoid Sheol below.(S)
25 The Lord tears down the house of the proud
    but maintains the widow’s boundaries.(T)
26 Evil plans are an abomination to the Lord,
    but gracious words are pure.(U)
27 Those greedy for unjust gain make trouble for their households,
    but those who hate bribes will live.(V)
28 The mind of the righteous ponders how to answer,
    but the mouth of the wicked pours out evil.(W)
29 The Lord is far from the wicked,
    but he hears the prayer of the righteous.(X)
30 The light of the eyes rejoices the heart,
    and good news refreshes the body.
31 The ear that heeds wholesome admonition
    will lodge among the wise.
32 Those who ignore instruction despise themselves,
    but those who heed admonition gain understanding.(Y)
33 The fear of the Lord is instruction in wisdom,
    and humility goes before honor.(Z)

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.