Proverbs 15

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

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

³The eyes of the Lord are in every place, beholding the evil and the good.

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

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

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

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

⁸The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination to the Lord: but the prayer of the upright is his delight.

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

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

¹¹Hell and destruction are before the Lord: how much more then the hearts of the children of men?

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

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

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

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

¹⁶Better is little with the fear of the Lord than great treasure and trouble therewith.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

²⁶The thoughts of the wicked are an abomination to the Lord: but the words of the pure are pleasant words.

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

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

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

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

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

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

³³The fear of the Lord is the instruction of wisdom; and before honour is humility.