Proverbs 15

1A gentle response allays wrath;A harsh word provokes anger.

2The tongue of the wise produces much knowledge,But the mouth of dullards pours out folly.

3GOD’s eyes are everywhere,Observing the bad and the good.

4A healing tongue is a tree of life,But a devious one makes for a broken spirit.

5A fool spurns a parent’s discipline,But one who heeds reproof becomes clever.

6In the house of the righteous there is much treasure,But in the harvest of the wicked there is trouble.

7The lips of the wise disseminate knowledge;Not so the minds of dullards.

8The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination to GOD,But the prayer of the upright is pleasing.

9The way of the wicked is an abomination to GOD,But those who pursue righteousness are loved.

10Discipline seems bad to whoever forsakes the way;One who spurns reproof will die.

11Sheol and Abaddon lie exposed to GOD,How much more the minds of mortals!

12The scoffer, who dislikes being reproved,Will not resort to the wise.

13A joyful heart makes a cheerful face;A sad heart makes a despondent mood.

14The mind of a prudent person seeks knowledge;The mouth of dullards pursues folly.

15All the days of a pauper are wretched,But contentment is a feast without end.

16Better a little with fear of GOD Than great wealth with confusion.

17Better a meal of vegetables where there is loveThan a fattened ox where there is hate.

18A hot-tempered man provokes a quarrel;A patient person calms strife.

19The way of a sluggard is like a hedge of thorns,But the path of the upright is paved.

20A wise son makes his father happy;A fool of a man humiliates his mother.

21Folly is joy to one devoid of sense;A prudent man walks a straight path.

22Plans are foiled for want of counsel,But they succeed through many advisers.

23Having a ready response feels satisfying,And how good is a word rightly timed!

24For the intelligent the path of life leads upward,In order to avoid Sheol below.

25GOD will tear down the house of the proud—But will establish the homestead of the widow.

26Evil thoughts are an abomination to GOD,But pleasant words are pure.

27Whoever pursues ill-gotten gain makes trouble for the household;One who spurns gifts will live long.

28A righteous person’s heart as a source of speech, see note to Eccl. 5.1. rehearses the answer,But the mouth of the wicked blurts out evil things.

29GOD is far from the wicked—But hears the prayer of the righteous.

30What brightens the eye gladdens the heart;Good news puts fat on the bones.

31One whose ear heeds the discipline of lifeLodges among the wise.

32Those who spurn discipline hate themselves;But those who heed reproof gain understanding.

33The fear of GOD is the discipline of wisdom;Humility precedes honor.