Proverbs 15

A soft answer turns away wrath

A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.a ²The tongue of the wise adorns knowledge, but the mouth of the fool gushes folly. ³The eyes of the Lord are everywhere, keeping watch on the wicked and the good.b

⁴The soothing tongue is a tree of life, but a perverse tongue crushes the spirit.c ⁵A fool spurns a parent’s discipline, but whoever heeds correction shows prudence. ⁶The house of the righteous contains great treasure, but the income of the wicked brings ruin.d

⁷The lips of the wise spread knowledge, but the hearts of fools are not upright. ⁸The Lord detests the sacrifice of the wicked, but the prayer of the upright pleases him.e ⁹The Lord detests the way of the wicked, but he loves those who pursue righteousness.

¹⁰Stern discipline awaits anyone who leaves the path; the one who hates correction will die.f ¹¹Death and Destruction lie open before the Lord— how much more do human hearts!g ¹²Mockers resent correction, so they avoid the wise.

¹³A happy heart makes the face cheerful, but heartache crushes the spirit.h ¹⁴The discerning heart seeks knowledge, but the mouth of a fool feeds on folly. ¹⁵All the days of the oppressed are wretched, but the cheerful heart has a continual feast.i

¹⁶Better a little with the fear of the Lord than great wealth with turmoil.j ¹⁷Better a small serving of vegetables with love than a fattened calf with hatred.k ¹⁸A hot-tempered person stirs up conflict, but the one who is patient calms a quarrel.l

¹⁹The way of the sluggard is blocked with thorns, but the path of the upright is a highway. ²⁰A wise son brings joy to his father, but a foolish man despises his mother. ²¹Folly brings joy to one who has no sense, but whoever has understanding keeps a straight course.

²²Plans fail for lack of counsel, but with many advisers they succeed.m ²³A person finds joy in giving an apt reply— and how good is a timely word!n ²⁴The path of life leads upward for the prudent to keep them from going down to the realm of the dead.o

²⁵The Lord tears down the house of the proud, but he sets the widow’s boundary stones in place. ²⁶The Lord detests the thoughts of the wicked, but gracious words are pure in his sight. ²⁷The greedy bring ruin to their households, but the one who hates bribes will live.

²⁸The heart of the righteous weighs its answers, but the mouth of the wicked gushes evil.p ²⁹The Lord is far from the wicked, but he hears the prayer of the righteous.q ³⁰Light in a messenger’s eyes brings joy to the heart, and good news gives health to the bones.

³¹Whoever heeds life-giving correction will be at home among the wise.r ³²Those who disregard discipline despise themselves, but the one who heeds correction gains understanding. ³³Wisdom’s instruction is to fear the Lord, and humility comes before honor.s