Proverbs 15

1A gentle answer turns away anger, but harsh words stir up wrath.

2The tongue of the wise uses knowledge well, but the mouth of fools pours out foolishness.

3The eyes of the LORD are everywhere, watching over both the evil and the good.

4Healing words are a tree of life, but deceitful words crush the spirit.

5A fool despises a father's instruction, but whoever accepts correction is sensible.

6In the house of the righteous there is great treasure, but the earnings of the wicked bring trouble.

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

8The LORD hates the sacrifice of the wicked, but the LORD delights in the prayer of honest people.

9The LORD hates the way of the wicked, but the LORD loves whoever pursues righteousness.

10Strict discipline awaits whoever leaves the right path; whoever hates correction will die.

11The grave and the place of destruction lie open before the LORD; how much more, then, the hearts of people!

12A mocker does not like being corrected, and will not seek advice from the wise.

13A happy heart makes a cheerful face, but heartache crushes the spirit.

14The heart of someone with understanding seeks knowledge, but the mouth of fools feeds on foolishness.

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

16Better a little with respect for the LORD than great treasure with turmoil.

17Better a meal of vegetables where there is love than a feast of meat with hatred.

18A hot-tempered person stirs up conflict, but whoever is patient calms a dispute.

19The way of the lazy person is blocked with thorns, but the path of honest people is a highway.

20A wise child brings joy to a father, but a foolish person despises their mother.

21Foolishness brings joy to someone with no sense, but a person with understanding walks a straight path.

22Plans fail without good advice, but they succeed with many advisers.

23A person finds joy in giving a good answer, and how good is a word spoken at just the right time!

24For a wise person, the path of life leads upward, away from the grave below.

25The LORD tears down the house of the proud, but the LORD protects the widow's boundaries.

26The LORD hates the thoughts of the wicked, but pure words are pleasing to the LORD.

27Greed brings trouble on a person's own family, but whoever hates bribes will live.

28The heart of the righteous thinks carefully before answering, but the mouth of the wicked pours out evil.

29The LORD is far from the wicked, but the LORD hears the prayer of the righteous.

30A cheerful look brings joy to the heart, and good news gives strength to the body.

31Whoever listens to life-giving correction will be at home among the wise.

32Whoever ignores discipline despises themselves, but whoever accepts correction gains understanding.

33Respecting the LORD teaches wisdom, and humility comes before honor.