15 A ^(A)gentle answer turns away wrath,
But a ^[a](B)harsh word stirs up anger.
² The ^(C)tongue of the wise makes knowledge look good,
But the ^(D)mouth of ^[b]fools pours forth ^[c]folly.
³ The ^(E)eyes of Yahweh are in every place,
Watching the evil and the good.
⁴ A tongue that brings healing is a tree of life,
But perversion in it breaks the spirit.
⁵ An ignorant fool spurns his father’s discipline,
But he who keeps reproof is prudent.
⁶ The house of the ^(F)righteous has much treasure,
But in the income of the wicked there is trouble.
⁷ The lips of the wise disperse knowledge,
But the hearts of fools are not so.
⁸ The ^(G)sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination to Yahweh,
But ^(H)the prayer of the upright is His delight.
⁹ The way of the wicked is an abomination to Yahweh,
But He loves one who ^(I)pursues righteousness.
¹⁰ Grievous discipline is for him who forsakes the way;
He who hates reproof will die.
^11 (J)Sheol and Abaddon lie open before Yahweh,
How much more the ^(K)hearts of the sons of men!
¹² A ^(L)scoffer does not love one who reproves him,
He will not go to the wise.
¹³ A ^(M)glad heart makes a face look good,
But ^[d]when the heart is ^(N)pained, the ^(O)spirit is broken.
¹⁴ The ^(P)heart of the one who has understanding seeks knowledge,
But the mouth of fools feeds on folly.
¹⁵ All the days of the afflicted are evil,
But a good heart has a continual feast.
^16 (Q)Better is a little with the ^[e]fear of Yahweh
Than great treasure and turmoil with it.
^17 (R)Better is a ^[f]dish of ^[g]vegetables where there is love
Than a ^(S)fattened ox and hatred in it.
¹⁸ A ^(T)hot-tempered man stirs up strife,
But the ^(U)slow to anger ^(V)quiets a dispute.
¹⁹ The way of the sluggard is as a hedge of thorns,
But the path of the upright is a highway.
²⁰ A ^(W)wise son makes a father glad,
But a foolish man ^(X)despises his mother.
²¹ Folly is gladness to him who lacks a heart of wisdom,
But a man of discernment ^(Y)walks straight.
²² Without consultation, ^[h]plans are frustrated,
But with many counselors they ^[i]succeed.
²³ A ^(Z)man has gladness in an ^[j]apt answer,
And how good is a timely ^(AA)word!
²⁴ The ^(AB)path of life leads upward for the one who has insight
That he may turn away from Sheol below.
²⁵ Yahweh will ^(AC)tear down the house of the proud,
But He will ^(AD)cause the boundary of the ^(AE)widow to stand.
²⁶ Evil thoughts are an abomination to Yahweh,
But pleasant words are pure.
²⁷ He who is ^(AF)greedy for gain troubles his own house,
But he who ^(AG)hates gifts of bribery will live.
²⁸ The heart of the righteous ^(AH)ponders how to answer,
But the ^(AI)mouth of the wicked pours forth evil things.
²⁹ Yahweh is ^(AJ)far from the wicked,
But He ^(AK)hears the prayer of the righteous.
^30 [k]Bright eyes gladden the heart;
A good report puts fat on the bones.
³¹ He whose ear listens to the life-giving reproof
Will lodge among the wise.
³² He who ^(AL)neglects discipline ^(AM)despises his soul,
But he who ^(AN)listens to reproof acquires a heart of wisdom.
³³ The ^[l]fear of Yahweh is the discipline ^[m]leading to wisdom,
And before glory comes humility.