Proverbs 15:18-33

English Standard Version

^18 (A)A hot-tempered man ^(B)stirs up strife,
    but he who is ^(C)slow to anger quiets contention.
¹⁹ The way of ^(D)a sluggard is like a hedge of ^(E)thorns,
    but the path of the upright is ^(F)a level highway.
^20 (G)A wise son makes a glad father,
    but a foolish man despises his mother.
^21 (H)Folly is a joy to him who lacks sense,
    but a man of understanding ^(I)walks straight ahead.
^22 (J)Without counsel plans fail,
    but with many advisers they succeed.
²³ To make an apt answer is a joy to a man,
    and ^(K)a word in season, how good it is!
²⁴ The path of life leads upward ^(L)for the prudent,
    that he may turn away from Sheol beneath.
²⁵ The Lord tears down the house of ^(M)the proud
    but ^(N)maintains ^(O)the widow's boundaries.
^26 (P)The thoughts of the wicked are an abomination to the Lord,
    but ^(Q)gracious words are pure.
²⁷ Whoever is ^(R)greedy for unjust gain ^(S)troubles his own household,
    but he who hates ^(T)bribes will live.
²⁸ The heart of the righteous ^(U)ponders how to answer,
    but ^(V)the mouth of the wicked pours out evil things.
²⁹ The Lord is ^(W)far from the wicked,
    but he ^(X)hears the prayer of the righteous.
^30 (Y)The light of the eyes rejoices the heart,
    and ^(Z)good news refreshes^[a] the bones.
^31 (AA)The ear that listens to ^(AB)life-giving reproof
    will dwell among the wise.
³² Whoever ^(AC)ignores instruction ^(AD)despises himself,
    but he who listens to reproof ^(AE)gains intelligence.
^33 (AF)The fear of the Lord is instruction in wisdom,
    and ^(AG)humility comes before honor.