Proverbs 15

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

2The tongue of the wise makes knowledge attractive, but the mouth of fools pours out folly.

3The eyes of Yahweh are in every place, watching the evil and the good.

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

5A fool rejects his father’s discipline, but whoever heeds correction grows shrewd.

6In the house of the righteous there is great treasure, but the income of the wicked brings trouble.

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

8The sacrifice of the wicked is detestable to Yahweh, but the prayer of the upright is his delight.

9The way of the wicked is detestable to Yahweh, but he loves the one who pursues righteousness.

10Severe discipline awaits anyone who leaves the path; whoever hates correction will die.

11Sheol and Abaddon lie open before Yahweh—how much more the hearts of human beings!

12A mocker does not love the one who corrects him; he will not go to the wise.

13A glad heart makes a cheerful face, but through heartache the spirit is crushed.

14The heart of the discerning seeks knowledge, but the mouth of fools feeds on folly.

15All the days of the afflicted are hard, but a cheerful heart has a continual feast.

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

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

18A hot-tempered person stirs up conflict, but one who is slow to anger calms a dispute.

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

20A wise son makes his father glad, but a foolish man despises his mother.

21Folly is a joy to one who lacks sense, but a person of understanding keeps a straight course.

22Plans fail where there is no counsel, but with many advisers they succeed.

23A person finds joy in the answer he gives, and how good is a word at the right time!

24For the wise the path of life leads upward, turning them away from Sheol below.

25Yahweh tears down the house of the proud, but he sets the widow’s boundary in place.

26Evil plans are detestable to Yahweh, but gracious words are pure.

27Whoever is greedy for unjust gain brings trouble on his household, but whoever hates bribes will live.

28The heart of the righteous thinks before it answers, but the mouth of the wicked pours out evil things.

29Yahweh is far from the wicked, but he hears the prayer of the righteous.

30The light of the eyes makes the heart glad; good news puts health into the bones.

31The ear that listens to life-giving correction will make its home among the wise.

32Whoever ignores discipline despises himself, but whoever listens to correction gains understanding.

33The fear of Yahweh is instruction in wisdom, and humility comes before honor.