Proverbs 15:20-29

English Standard Version

^20 (A)A wise son makes a glad father,
    but a foolish man despises his mother.
^21 (B)Folly is a joy to him who lacks sense,
    but a man of understanding ^(C)walks straight ahead.
^22 (D)Without counsel plans fail,
    but with many advisers they succeed.
²³ To make an apt answer is a joy to a man,
    and ^(E)a word in season, how good it is!
²⁴ The path of life leads upward ^(F)for the prudent,
    that he may turn away from Sheol beneath.
²⁵ The Lord tears down the house of ^(G)the proud
    but ^(H)maintains ^(I)the widow's boundaries.
^26 (J)The thoughts of the wicked are an abomination to the Lord,
    but ^(K)gracious words are pure.
²⁷ Whoever is ^(L)greedy for unjust gain ^(M)troubles his own household,
    but he who hates ^(N)bribes will live.
²⁸ The heart of the righteous ^(O)ponders how to answer,
    but ^(P)the mouth of the wicked pours out evil things.
²⁹ The Lord is ^(Q)far from the wicked,
    but he ^(R)hears the prayer of the righteous.