15:1 A soft answer¹ turns away anger,
but a harsh² word stirs up wrath.³
15:2 The tongue of the wise⁴ treats knowledge correctly,⁵
but the mouth of fools pours out⁶ folly.
15:3 The eyes of the LORD⁷ are in every place,
watching⁸ the evil and good.
15:4 A tongue that heals⁹ is a tree of life,
but one with deceit in it¹⁰ breaks the spirit.
15:5 A fool rejects his father’s discipline,
but whoever heeds reproof shows good sense.¹¹
15:6 In the house¹² of the righteous there is abundant wealth,¹³
but the income of the wicked brings trouble.¹⁴
15:7 The lips of the wise spread¹⁵ knowledge,
but not so the hearts of fools.¹⁶
15:8 The sacrifices¹⁷ of the wicked¹⁸ are an abomination to the LORD,
but the prayer¹⁹ of the upright pleases Him.²⁰
15:9 The way of the wicked is an abomination to the LORD,
but He loves those who pursue²¹ righteousness.
15:10 Severe discipline²² is for the one who abandons the way;
the one who hates reproof²³ will die.
15:11 Death and Destruction²⁴ are before the LORD—
how much more²⁵ the hearts of humans!²⁶
15:12 The scorner does not love²⁷ one who corrects him,²⁸
he will not walk with²⁹ the wise.
15:13 A joyful heart³⁰ makes the face cheerful,³¹
but by a painful heart there is a broken spirit.
15:14 The discerning heart seeks knowledge,
but the mouth of fools feeds on folly.³²
15:15 All the days³³ of the afflicted³⁴ are bad,³⁵
but one with³⁶ a cheerful heart has a continual feast.³⁷
15:16 Better³⁸ is little with the fear of the LORD
than great wealth with turmoil³⁹ in it.⁴⁰
15:17 Better a meal of vegetables where there is love⁴¹
than a fattened ox where there is hatred.⁴²
15:18 A wrathful person⁴³ stirs up dissension,
but one who is slow to anger calms⁴⁴ a quarrel.⁴⁵
15:19 The way of the sluggard is like a hedge of thorns,⁴⁶
but the path of the upright is a highway.⁴⁷
15:20 A wise child⁴⁸ brings joy to his father,
but a foolish person⁴⁹ despises⁵⁰ his mother.
15:21 Folly is a joy to one who lacks judgment,⁵¹
but one who has understanding⁵² follows a straight course.⁵³
15:22 Plans fail⁵⁴ when there is no counsel,
but with abundant advisors they are established.⁵⁵
15:23 One⁵⁶ has joy over making a proper answer,⁵⁷
and a word at the right time⁵⁸—how good it is!
15:24 The path of life is upward⁵⁹ for the wise person,⁶⁰
to⁶¹ keep him from going downward to Sheol.⁶²
15:25 The LORD destroys the house of the proud,⁶³
but He establishes the border of the widow.⁶⁴
15:26 The plans⁶⁵ of the wicked⁶⁶ are an abomination to the LORD,
but pleasant words⁶⁷ are pure.⁶⁸
15:27 The one who is greedy for gain⁶⁹ troubles⁷⁰ his household,
but whoever hates bribes⁷¹ will live.
15:28 The heart of the righteous considers⁷² how⁷³ to answer,⁷⁴
but the mouth of the wicked pours out evil things.⁷⁵
15:29 The LORD is far⁷⁶ from the wicked,
but he hears⁷⁷ the prayer of the righteous.⁷⁸
15:30 A bright look⁷⁹ brings joy to the heart,
and good news gives health to the body.⁸⁰
15:31 The ear⁸¹ that hears the reproof of life⁸²
dwells⁸³ in the midst of the wise.⁸⁴
15:32 The one who refuses correction despises himself,⁸⁵
but whoever hears⁸⁶ reproof acquires understanding.⁸⁷
15:33 The fear of the LORD is the discipline of wisdom,⁸⁸
and before honor comes humility.⁸⁹