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Proverbs 15

King James Version

1 A soft answer turneth away wrath: but grievous words stir up anger. 2 The tongue of the wise useth knowledge aright: but the mouth of fools poureth out foolishness. 3 The eyes of the LORD are in every place, beholding the evil and the good. 4 A wholesome tongue is a tree of life: but perverseness therein is a breach in the spirit. 5 A fool despiseth his father' instruction: but he that regardeth reproof is prudent. 6 In the house of the righteous is much treasure: but in the revenues of the wicked is trouble. 7 The lips of the wise disperse knowledge: but the heart of the foolish doeth not so. 8 The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination to the LORD: but the prayer of the upright is his delight. 9 The way of the wicked is an abomination unto the LORD: but he loveth him that followeth after righteousness. 10 Correction is grievous unto him that forsaketh the way: and he that hateth reproof shall die. 11 Hell and destruction are before the LORD: how much more then the hearts of the children of men? 12 A scorner loveth not one that reproveth him: neither will he go unto the wise. 13 A merry heart maketh a cheerful countenance: but by sorrow of the heart the spirit is broken. 14 The heart of him that hath understanding seeketh knowledge: but the mouth of fools feedeth on foolishness. 15 All the days of the afflicted are evil: but he that is of a merry heart hath a continual feast. 16 Better is little with the fear of the LORD than great treasure and trouble therewith. 17 Better is a dinner of herbs where love is, than a stalled ox and hatred therewith. 18 A wrathful man stirreth up strife: but he that is slow to anger appeaseth strife. 19 The way of the slothful man is as an hedge of thorns: but the way of the righteous is made plain. 20 A wise son maketh a glad father: but a foolish man despiseth his mother. 21 Folly is joy to him that is destitute of wisdom: but a man of understanding walketh uprightly. 22 Without counsel purposes are disappointed: but in the multitude of counsellors they are established. 23 A man hath joy by the answer of his mouth: and a word spoken in due season, how good is it ! 24 The way of life is above to the wise, that he may depart from hell beneath. 25 The LORD will destroy the house of the proud: but he will establish the border of the widow. 26 The thoughts of the wicked are an abomination to the LORD: but the words of the pure are pleasant words. 27 He that is greedy of gain troubleth his own house; but he that hateth gifts shall live. 28 The heart of the righteous studieth to answer: but the mouth of the wicked poureth out evil things. 29 The LORD is far from the wicked: but he heareth the prayer of the righteous. 30 The light of the eyes rejoiceth the heart: and a good report maketh the bones fat. 31 The ear that heareth the reproof of life abideth among the wise. 32 He that refuseth instruction despiseth his own soul: but he that heareth reproof getteth understanding. 33 The fear of the LORD is the instruction of wisdom; and before honour is humility. 

King James Bible (1769). Public Domain.
Please note the following exceptions for use and publication in the United Kingdom: Cambridge University Press

Proverbs 15

English Standard Version

from Crossway
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) 

The ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®) copyright ©2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. ESV® Text Edition: 2016. The ESV® text has been reproduced in cooperation with and by permission of Good News Publishers. Unauthorized reproduction of this publication is prohibited. All rights reserved.

The ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®) is adapted from the Revised Standard Version of the Bible, copyright Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the U.S.A. All rights reserved.