Proverbs 15

1 A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.

2 The tongue of the wise commends knowledge, but the mouth of the fool spouts folly.

3 The eyes of the LORD are in every place, observing the evil and the good.

4 A soothing tongue is a tree of life, but a perverse tongue crushes the spirit.

5 A fool rejects his father’s discipline, but whoever heeds correction is prudent.

6 The house of the righteous has great treasure, but the income of the wicked is trouble.

7 The lips of the wise spread knowledge, but not so the hearts of fools.

8 The sacrifice of the wicked is detestable to the LORD, but the prayer of the upright is His delight.

9 The LORD detests the way of the wicked, but He loves those who pursue righteousness.

10 Discipline is harsh for him who leaves the path; he who hates correction will die.

11 Sheol and Abaddon lie open before the LORD—how much more the hearts of men!

12 A mocker does not love to be reproved, nor will he consult the wise.

13 A joyful heart makes a cheerful countenance, but sorrow of the heart crushes the spirit.

14 A discerning heart seeks knowledge, but the mouth of a fool feeds on folly.

15 All the days of the oppressed are bad, but a cheerful heart has a continual feast.

16 Better a little with the fear of the LORD than great treasure with turmoil.

17 Better a dish of vegetables where there is love than a fattened ox with hatred.

18 A hot-tempered man stirs up strife, but he who is slow to anger calms dispute.

19 The way of the slacker is like a hedge of thorns, but the path of the upright is a highway.

20 A wise son brings joy to his father, but a foolish man despises his mother.

21 Folly is joy to one who lacks judgment, but a man of understanding walks a straight path.

22 Plans fail for lack of counsel, but with many advisers they succeed.

23 A man takes joy in a fitting reply—and how good is a timely word!

24 The path of life leads upward for the wise, that he may avoid going down to Sheol.

25 The LORD tears down the house of the proud, but He protects the boundaries of the widow.

26 The LORD detests the thoughts of the wicked, but the words of the pure are pleasant to Him.

27 He who is greedy for unjust gain brings trouble on his household, but he who hates bribes will live.

28 The heart of the righteous ponders how to answer, but the mouth of the wicked blurts out evil.

29 The LORD is far from the wicked, but He hears the prayer of the righteous.

30 The light of the eyes cheers the heart, and good news nourishes the bones.

31 He who listens to life-giving reproof will dwell among the wise.

32 He who ignores discipline despises himself, but whoever heeds correction gains understanding.

33 The fear of the LORD is the instruction of wisdom, and humility comes before honor.

1 ¶ A soft answer turneth away wrath: but grievous words stir up anger.

2 ¶ The tongue of the wise useth knowledge aright: but the mouth of fools poureth out foolishness.

3 ¶ The eyes of the LORD [are] in every place, beholding the evil and the good.

4 ¶ A wholesome tongue [is] a tree of life: but perverseness therein [is] a breach in the spirit.

5 ¶ A fool despiseth his father's instruction: but he that regardeth reproof is prudent.

6 ¶ In the house of the righteous [is] much treasure: but in the revenues of the wicked is trouble.

7 ¶ The lips of the wise disperse knowledge: but the heart of the foolish [doeth] not so.

8 ¶ The sacrifice of the wicked [is] an abomination to the LORD: but the prayer of the upright [is] his delight.

9 ¶ The way of the wicked [is] an abomination unto the LORD: but he loveth him that followeth after righteousness.

10 ¶ Correction [is] grievous unto him that forsaketh the way: [and] he that hateth reproof shall die.

11 ¶ Hell and destruction [are] before the LORD: how much more then the hearts of the children of men?

12 ¶ A scorner loveth not one that reproveth him: neither will he go unto the wise.

13 ¶ A merry heart maketh a cheerful countenance: but by sorrow of the heart the spirit is broken.

14 ¶ The heart of him that hath understanding seeketh knowledge: but the mouth of fools feedeth on foolishness.

15 ¶ All the days of the afflicted [are] evil: but he that is of a merry heart [hath] a continual feast.

16 ¶ Better [is] little with the fear of the LORD than great treasure and trouble therewith.

17 Better [is] a dinner of herbs where love is, than a stalled ox and hatred therewith.

18 ¶ A wrathful man stirreth up strife: but [he that is] slow to anger appeaseth strife.

19 ¶ The way of the slothful [man is] as an hedge of thorns: but the way of the righteous [is] made plain.

20 ¶ A wise son maketh a glad father: but a foolish man despiseth his mother.

21 ¶ Folly [is] joy to [him that is] destitute of wisdom: but a man of understanding walketh uprightly.

22 ¶ Without counsel purposes are disappointed: but in the multitude of counsellors they are established.

23 ¶ A man hath joy by the answer of his mouth: and a word [spoken] in due season, how good [is it]!

24 ¶ The way of life [is] above to the wise, that he may depart from hell beneath.

25 ¶ The LORD will destroy the house of the proud: but he will establish the border of the widow.

26 ¶ The thoughts of the wicked [are] an abomination to the LORD: but [the words] of the pure [are] pleasant words.

27 ¶ He that is greedy of gain troubleth his own house; but he that hateth gifts shall live.

28 ¶ The heart of the righteous studieth to answer: but the mouth of the wicked poureth out evil things.

29 ¶ The LORD [is] far from the wicked: but he heareth the prayer of the righteous.

30 ¶ The light of the eyes rejoiceth the heart: [and] a good report maketh the bones fat.

31 ¶ The ear that heareth the reproof of life abideth among the wise.

32 ¶ He that refuseth instruction despiseth his own soul: but he that heareth reproof getteth understanding.

33 ¶ The fear of the LORD [is] the instruction of wisdom; and before honour [is] humility.

1 A gentle answer quencheth wrath; but a harsh word maketh fury.

2 The tongue of the wise loveth doctrine: the mouth of fools speaketh folly.

3 The eyes of the LORD behold in all places both the wicked and the righteous.

4 A wholesome tongue is a tree of life; but a lying tongue maketh her

5 The fool blasphemeth his father's discipline: but he that receiveth punishment shall be wise.

6 In the house of the righteous there is good enough, but in the income of the wicked there is destruction.

7 The mouth of the wise scattereth good counsel: but the heart of the fool is not so.

8 The sacrifice of the wicked is abomination unto the LORD: but the prayer of the upright is acceptable unto him.

9 The way of the wicked is abomination to the LORD: but he that followeth after righteousness shall be loved.

10 This is evil discipline, to forsake the way: and he that hateth the punishment shall die.

11 Hell and destruction are before the LORD: how much more the hearts of men!

12 The scoffer loveth not him that reproveth him, neither goeth he to the wise.

13 A merry heart maketh a cheerful countenance: but when the heart is troubled, then the courage falleth.

14 A prudent heart dealeth prudently: but bold fools rule foolishly.

15 A sorrowful man never hath a good day: but a good courage is a daily prosperity.

16 It is better to have the fear of the LORD a little, than great treasure, wherein is unrest.

17 Better is a dish of herbs with love, than a fatted bullock with hatred.

18 A man that is wroth maketh strife: but a man that is patient stilleth strife.

19 The way of the slothful is thorny: but the path of the upright is well prepared.

20 A wise son maketh his father glad: and a foolish man is a reproach to his mother.

21 Folly is a joy to a fool: but a man of understanding keepeth the right way.

22 The plots come to nought where there is no counsel; but where there is much counsel, they stand.

23 It is a joy to one where he is answered aright; and a word in his season is very sweet.

24 The way of life is to make wise above, that one may avoid hell beneath.

25 The LORD will break up the house of the proud, and confirm the border of widows. .

26 The plots of the wicked are an abomination unto the LORD: but the pure speak comfortably.

27 The covetous man hateth his own house: but he that hateth the gift shall live.

28 The heart of the righteous deviseth what is to be answered: but the mouth of the wicked poureth out evil.

29 The LORD is far from the wicked: but he heareth the prayer of the righteous.

30 A pleasant sight maketh the heart glad: a good report maketh the bones fat.

31 The ear that heareth the sentence of life shall dwell among the wise.

32 He that suffereth not himself to be drawn, destroyeth himself: but he that heareth punishment, becometh wise.

33 The fear of the LORD is discipline unto wisdom: and before a man is honoured, he must first suffer.