Proverbs 15

English Standard Version

1 A soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger. (Jud 8:1; 1Sa 25:10; 1Ki 12:13; Pr 25:15)2 The tongue of the wise commends knowledge, but the mouths of fools pour out folly. (Pr 12:23; Pr 13:16; Pr 15:28; Pr 18:2)3 The eyes of the Lord are in every place, keeping watch on the evil and the good. (Job 31:4)4 A gentle[1] tongue is a tree of life, but perverseness in it breaks the spirit. (Pr 3:18; Pr 11:3; Pr 12:18)5 A fool despises his father’s instruction, but whoever heeds reproof is prudent. (Ps 107:11; Pr 10:1; Pr 13:18)6 In the house of the righteous there is much treasure, but trouble befalls the income of the wicked.7 The lips of the wise spread knowledge; not so the hearts of fools.[2] (Mt 12:34)8 The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination to the Lord, but the prayer of the upright is acceptable to him. (Pr 15:29; Pr 21:27; Ec 5:1; Isa 1:11; Isa 1:15)9 The way of the wicked is an abomination to the Lord, but he loves him who pursues righteousness. (Pr 11:19; Pr 21:21; 1Ti 6:11)10 There is severe discipline for him who forsakes the way; whoever hates reproof will die. (Pr 12:1; Isa 1:5)11 Sheol and Abaddon lie open before the Lord; how much more the hearts of the children of man! (1Sa 16:7; 2Ch 6:30; Ps 44:21; Joh 2:24)12 A scoffer does not like to be reproved; he will not go to the wise. (Ps 1:1; Am 5:10)13 A glad heart makes a cheerful face, but by sorrow of heart the spirit is crushed. (Pr 12:25; Pr 15:15; Pr 17:22; Pr 18:14)14 The heart of him who has understanding seeks knowledge, but the mouths of fools feed on folly. (Pr 14:6; Pr 19:24)15 All the days of the afflicted are evil, but the cheerful of heart has a continual feast. (Pr 15:13)16 Better is a little with the fear of the Lord than great treasure and trouble with it. (Ps 37:16; Pr 16:8; 1Ti 6:6)17 Better is a dinner of herbs where love is than a fattened ox and hatred with it. (Pr 17:1; Mt 22:4; Lu 15:23)18 A hot-tempered man stirs up strife, but he who is slow to anger quiets contention. (Pr 14:29; Pr 16:28; Pr 26:21; Pr 28:25; Pr 29:22)19 The way of a sluggard is like a hedge of thorns, but the path of the upright is a level highway. (Pr 19:24; Pr 22:5; Pr 22:13; Jer 18:15)20 A wise son makes a glad father, but a foolish man despises his mother. (Pr 29:3)21 Folly is a joy to him who lacks sense, but a man of understanding walks straight ahead. (Pr 10:23; Eph 5:15)22 Without counsel plans fail, but with many advisers they succeed. (Pr 11:14; Pr 20:18)23 To make an apt answer is a joy to a man, and a word in season, how good it is! (Pr 25:11; Isa 50:4)24 The path of life leads upward for the prudent, that he may turn away from Sheol beneath. (Pr 2:18; Php 3:20; Col 3:1)25 The Lord tears down the house of the proud but maintains the widow’s boundaries. (Ps 68:5; Ps 146:9; Pr 23:10; Pr 29:23)26 The thoughts of the wicked are an abomination to the Lord, but gracious words are pure. (Pr 6:16; Pr 6:18; Pr 16:24)27 Whoever is greedy for unjust gain troubles his own household, but he who hates bribes will live. (Jos 7:25; Pr 1:19; Pr 11:29; Pr 17:23; Isa 5:8; Jer 17:11)28 The heart of the righteous ponders how to answer, but the mouth of the wicked pours out evil things. (Ps 37:30; Pr 15:2; 1Pe 3:15)29 The Lord is far from the wicked, but he hears the prayer of the righteous. (Ps 18:41; Ps 34:16; Ps 145:18; Pr 15:8)30 The light of the eyes rejoices the heart, and good news refreshes[3] the bones. (Ps 38:10; Pr 25:25)31 The ear that listens to life-giving reproof will dwell among the wise. (Pr 6:23; Pr 15:5; Pr 20:12; Pr 25:12)32 Whoever ignores instruction despises himself, but he who listens to reproof gains intelligence. (Pr 8:33; Pr 8:36; Pr 19:8)33 The fear of the Lord is instruction in wisdom, and humility comes before honor. (Pr 1:7; Pr 18:12)