Proverbs 15
1 A kind reply wards off anger, but hurtful words make people mad.
A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.
2 What wise people say makes knowledge attractive, but stupid people talk a lot of nonsense.
The tongue of the wise commends knowledge, but the mouth of fools gush out folly.
3 The Lord sees everywhere, watching the evil and the good.
The eyes of the LORD are everywhere, keeping watch on the evil and the good.
4 Gentle words are a source of life, but telling lies does a lot of damage.
A gentle tongue is a tree of life, but deceit in it crushes the spirit.
5 Only a foolish son despises his father's instruction, but one who accepts correction is sensible.
A fool despises his father's correction, but he who heeds reproof shows prudence.
6 There's plenty of treasure where good people live, but the income of the wicked brings them trouble.
In the house of the righteous is much treasure, but the income of the wicked brings trouble.
7 Wise people share their knowledge, but stupid people don't think like that.
The lips of the wise spread knowledge; not so with the heart of fools.
8 The Lord hates the sacrifices of the wicked, but he loves the prayers of the good.
The sacrifice made by the wicked is an abomination to the LORD, but the prayer of the upright is his delight.
9 The Lord hates the ways of the wicked, but he loves those who do what is right.
The way of the wicked is an abomination to the LORD, but he loves him who follows after righteousness.
10 If you leave the right path you will be severely disciplined; anyone who hates correction will die.
There is stern discipline for one who forsakes the way: whoever hates reproof shall die.
11 Those already dead have no secrets from the Lord—how much more does he know our thoughts! (Sheol h7585)
Sheol and Abaddon are before the LORD—how much more then the hearts of human beings. (Sheol h7585)
12 Scoffers don't like to be corrected, so they don't go to the wise for advice.
A scoffer doesn't love to be reproved; he will not go to the wise.
13 If you're happy inside, you'll have a cheerful face, but if you're sad, you look crushed.
A glad heart makes a cheerful face; but an aching heart breaks the spirit.
14 An insightful mind looks for knowledge, but stupid people feed on foolishness.
The heart of one who has understanding seeks knowledge, but the mouths of fools feed on folly.
15 The life of poor people is hard, but if you stay cheerful, it's a continual feast.
All the days of the afflicted are wretched, but one who has a cheerful heart enjoys a continual feast.
16 It's better to respect the Lord and only have a little than to have plenty of money and the trouble that comes with it.
Better is little, with the fear of the LORD, than great treasure with trouble.
17 Better a dinner of vegetables where there's love than eating meat with hatred.
Better is a dinner of herbs, where love is, than a fattened calf with hatred.
18 Short-tempered people stir up trouble, but those slow to anger calm things down.
A wrathful man stirs up contention, but one who is slow to anger appeases strife.
19 The way of lazy people is overgrown with thorns, but the path of the good is an open highway.
The way of the sluggard is like a thorn patch, but the path of the upright is a highway.
20 A wise son makes his father happy, but a stupid man despises his mother.
A wise son makes a father glad, but a foolish man despises his mother.
21 Stupidity makes people with no sense happy, but sensible people do what is right.
Folly is joy to one who is void of wisdom, but a man of understanding keeps his way straight.
22 Plans fall apart without good advice, but with plenty of advisors they're successful.
Where there is no counsel, plans fail; but in a multitude of counselors they are established.
23 A good answer makes people happy—it's great to say the right thing at the right moment!
Joy comes to a man with the reply of his mouth. How good is a word at the right time.
The path of life leads upward for the wise, to keep him from going downward to Sheol. (Sheol h7585)
25 The Lord pulls down the house of the proud, but he protects the boundaries of the widow's property.
The LORD will uproot the house of the proud, but he will keep the widow's borders intact.
26 The Lord hates the thoughts of the wicked, but he honors the words of the pure.
The LORD detests the thoughts of the wicked, but the thoughts of the pure are pleasing.
27 People greedy for ill-gotten gains make trouble for their families, but those who hate bribes will live.
He who is greedy for gain troubles his own house, but he who hates bribes will live.
28 Good people think how best to answer questions, but stupid people say all kinds of evil things.
The heart of the righteous weighs answers, but the mouth of the wicked gushes out evil.
29 The Lord keeps his distance from the wicked, but he hears the prayers of the good.
The LORD is far from the wicked, but he hears the prayer of the righteous.
30 Bright eyes make you happy, and good news makes you feel good.
The light of the eyes rejoices the heart. Good news gives health to the bones.
31 If you pay attention to positive advice you'll be one of the wise.
The ear that listens to reproof lives, and will be at home among the wise.
32 If you ignore instruction you have no self-esteem, but if you listen to correction you gain understanding.
He who refuses correction despises his own soul, but he who listens to reproof gets understanding.
33 Respect for the Lord teaches wisdom; humility goes before honor.
The fear of the LORD teaches wisdom. Before honor is humility.
