Proverbs 14:31-15:17

English Standard Version

³¹ Whoever oppresses a poor man ^(A)insults his ^(B)Maker,
    ^(C)but he who is generous to the needy honors him.
^32 (D)The wicked is overthrown through his evildoing,
    but ^(E)the righteous finds refuge in his death.
³³ Wisdom ^(F)rests in the heart of a man of understanding,
    but it makes itself known even in the midst of fools.^[a]
34 Righteousness exalts a nation,
    but sin is a reproach to any people.
³⁵ A servant who deals wisely has ^(G)the king's favor,
    but his wrath falls on one who acts shamefully.
15 ^(H)A soft answer turns away wrath,
    but ^(I)a harsh word stirs up anger.
² The tongue of the wise commends knowledge,
    but ^(J)the mouths of fools pour out folly.
^3 (K)The eyes of the Lord are in every place,
    keeping watch on the evil and the good.
^4 (L)A gentle^[b] tongue is ^(M)a tree of life,
    but ^(N)perverseness in it breaks the spirit.
^5 (O)A fool ^(P)despises his father's instruction,
    but ^(Q)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 (R)The lips of the wise spread knowledge;
    ^(S)not so the hearts of fools.^[c]
8 (T)The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination to the Lord,
    but ^(U)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 ^(V)who pursues righteousness.
¹⁰ There is ^(W)severe discipline for him who forsakes the way;
    ^(X)whoever hates reproof will die.
¹¹ Sheol and Abaddon lie open before the Lord;
    how much more ^(Y)the hearts of the children of man!
^12 (Z)A scoffer ^(AA)does not like to be reproved;
    he will not go to the wise.
^13 (AB)A glad heart makes a cheerful face,
    but by ^(AC)sorrow of heart the spirit is ^(AD)crushed.
^14 (AE)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 ^(AF)the cheerful of heart has a continual feast.
^16 (AG)Better is a little with the fear of the Lord
    than great treasure and trouble with it.
^17 (AH)Better is a dinner of herbs where love is
    than ^(AI)a fattened ox and hatred with it.