Proverbs 14:30-15:29

English Standard Version

³⁰ A tranquil^[a] heart gives ^(A)life to the flesh,
    but ^(B)envy^[b] makes ^(C)the bones rot.
³¹ Whoever oppresses a poor man ^(D)insults his ^(E)Maker,
    ^(F)but he who is generous to the needy honors him.
^32 (G)The wicked is overthrown through his evildoing,
    but ^(H)the righteous finds refuge in his death.
³³ Wisdom ^(I)rests in the heart of a man of understanding,
    but it makes itself known even in the midst of fools.^[c]
34 Righteousness exalts a nation,
    but sin is a reproach to any people.
³⁵ A servant who deals wisely has ^(J)the king's favor,
    but his wrath falls on one who acts shamefully.
15 ^(K)A soft answer turns away wrath,
    but ^(L)a harsh word stirs up anger.
² The tongue of the wise commends knowledge,
    but ^(M)the mouths of fools pour out folly.
^3 (N)The eyes of the Lord are in every place,
    keeping watch on the evil and the good.
^4 (O)A gentle^[d] tongue is ^(P)a tree of life,
    but ^(Q)perverseness in it breaks the spirit.
^5 (R)A fool ^(S)despises his father's instruction,
    but ^(T)whoever heeds reproof is prudent.
⁶ In the house of the righteous there is much treasure,
    but trouble befalls the income of the wicked.
^7 (U)The lips of the wise spread knowledge;
    ^(V)not so the hearts of fools.^[e]
8 (W)The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination to the Lord,
    but ^(X)the prayer of the upright is acceptable to him.
⁹ The way of the wicked is an abomination to the Lord,
    but he loves him ^(Y)who pursues righteousness.
¹⁰ There is ^(Z)severe discipline for him who forsakes the way;
    ^(AA)whoever hates reproof will die.
¹¹ Sheol and Abaddon lie open before the Lord;
    how much more ^(AB)the hearts of the children of man!
^12 (AC)A scoffer ^(AD)does not like to be reproved;
    he will not go to the wise.
^13 (AE)A glad heart makes a cheerful face,
    but by ^(AF)sorrow of heart the spirit is ^(AG)crushed.
^14 (AH)The heart 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 ^(AI)the cheerful of heart has a continual feast.
^16 (AJ)Better is a little with the fear of the Lord
    than great treasure and trouble with it.
^17 (AK)Better is a dinner of herbs where love is
    than ^(AL)a fattened ox and hatred with it.
^18 (AM)A hot-tempered man ^(AN)stirs up strife,
    but he who is ^(AO)slow to anger quiets contention.
¹⁹ The way of ^(AP)a sluggard is like a hedge of ^(AQ)thorns,
    but the path of the upright is ^(AR)a level highway.
^20 (AS)A wise son makes a glad father,
    but a foolish man despises his mother.
^21 (AT)Folly is a joy to him who lacks sense,
    but a man of understanding ^(AU)walks straight ahead.
^22 (AV)Without counsel plans fail,
    but with many advisers they succeed.
²³ To make an apt answer is a joy to a man,
    and ^(AW)a word in season, how good it is!
²⁴ The path of life leads upward ^(AX)for the prudent,
    that he may turn away from Sheol beneath.
²⁵ The Lord tears down the house of ^(AY)the proud
    but ^(AZ)maintains ^(BA)the widow's boundaries.
^26 (BB)The thoughts of the wicked are an abomination to the Lord,
    but ^(BC)gracious words are pure.
²⁷ Whoever is ^(BD)greedy for unjust gain ^(BE)troubles his own household,
    but he who hates ^(BF)bribes will live.
²⁸ The heart of the righteous ^(BG)ponders how to answer,
    but ^(BH)the mouth of the wicked pours out evil things.
²⁹ The Lord is ^(BI)far from the wicked,
    but he ^(BJ)hears the prayer of the righteous.