Proverbs 15

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

2The tongue of the wise presents knowledge well, but the mouth of fools pours out folly.

3In every place the eyes of Yahweh watch the evil and the good.

4A healing tongue is a tree of life, but perversity in it breaks the spirit.

5A fool despises his father's discipline, but whoever heeds reproof is prudent.

6In the house of the righteous there is great wealth, but the income of the wicked is troubled.

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

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

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

10Harsh discipline is for one who forsakes the path; whoever hates reproof will die.

11Sheol and Abaddon are before Yahweh; how much more the hearts of human beings.

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

13A joyful heart brightens the face, but heartache crushes the spirit.

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

15All the days of the afflicted are bad, but a cheerful heart is a continual feast.

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

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

18A hot-tempered man stirs up strife, but one who is slow to anger calms a quarrel.

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

20A wise son brings joy to his father, but a foolish man despises his mother.

21Folly is joy to one lacking sense, but a man of understanding walks straight.

22Plans fail for lack of counsel, but with many advisers they stand.

23A man finds joy in giving an answer, and a word at the right time—how good it is!

24The path of life leads upward for the prudent, so that he may turn away from Sheol below.

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

26Evil plans are an abomination to Yahweh, but pleasant words are pure.

27Whoever is greedy for dishonest gain troubles his own house, but whoever hates bribes will live.

28The heart of the righteous considers how to answer, but the mouth of the wicked pours out evil things.

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

30Bright eyes gladden the heart; good news fattens the bones.

31An ear that listens to life-giving rebuke will lodge among the wise.

32Whoever ignores discipline despises himself, but he who listens to reproof gains understanding.

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