Proverbs 15:5-25

English Standard Version

^5 (A)A fool ^(B)despises his father's instruction,
    but ^(C)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 (D)The lips of the wise spread knowledge;
    ^(E)not so the hearts of fools.^[a]
8 (F)The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination to the Lord,
    but ^(G)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 ^(H)who pursues righteousness.
¹⁰ There is ^(I)severe discipline for him who forsakes the way;
    ^(J)whoever hates reproof will die.
¹¹ Sheol and Abaddon lie open before the Lord;
    how much more ^(K)the hearts of the children of man!
^12 (L)A scoffer ^(M)does not like to be reproved;
    he will not go to the wise.
^13 (N)A glad heart makes a cheerful face,
    but by ^(O)sorrow of heart the spirit is ^(P)crushed.
^14 (Q)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 ^(R)the cheerful of heart has a continual feast.
^16 (S)Better is a little with the fear of the Lord
    than great treasure and trouble with it.
^17 (T)Better is a dinner of herbs where love is
    than ^(U)a fattened ox and hatred with it.
^18 (V)A hot-tempered man ^(W)stirs up strife,
    but he who is ^(X)slow to anger quiets contention.
¹⁹ The way of ^(Y)a sluggard is like a hedge of ^(Z)thorns,
    but the path of the upright is ^(AA)a level highway.
^20 (AB)A wise son makes a glad father,
    but a foolish man despises his mother.
^21 (AC)Folly is a joy to him who lacks sense,
    but a man of understanding ^(AD)walks straight ahead.
^22 (AE)Without counsel plans fail,
    but with many advisers they succeed.
²³ To make an apt answer is a joy to a man,
    and ^(AF)a word in season, how good it is!
²⁴ The path of life leads upward ^(AG)for the prudent,
    that he may turn away from Sheol beneath.
²⁵ The Lord tears down the house of ^(AH)the proud
    but ^(AI)maintains ^(AJ)the widow's boundaries.