THE BOOK OF PROVERBS

 

Proverbs 15

1 ¶ A soft answer turns away wrath: but harsh words stir up anger.

2 ¶ The tongue of the wise uses knowledge rightly: but the mouth of fools pours out foolishness.

3 ¶ The eyes of the LORD are everywhere, watching the wicked and the good.

4 ¶ A tongue that heals is a tree of life: but a perverse tongue breaks the spirit.

5 ¶ A fool scorns his father’s instruction: but he who learns from criticism shows good sense.

6 ¶ There is a great treasure in the house of the righteous: but the wage of the wicked is trouble.

7 ¶ The lips of the wise disperse knowledge: but the heart of the foolish does not.

8 ¶ The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination to the LORD: but the prayer of the upright is his delight.

9 ¶ The behavior of the wicked is an abomination to the LORD: but he loves one who seeks after righteousness.

10 ¶ Correction is grievous for one who turns aside from the way: but he who hates reproof will die.

11 ¶ Hell and destruction lie open before the LORD: how much more then the hearts of the children of men?

12 ¶ A scorner does not appreciate one who rebukes him: nor will he go to the wise.

13 ¶ A merry heart makes the face cheerful: but a sad heart breaks the spirit.

14 ¶ The heart of one who has understanding searches for knowledge: but the mouths of fools feed on foolishness.

15 ¶ Those who suffer are always miserable: but he who has a cheerful heart has a continual feast.

16 ¶ It is better to have little with the fear of the LORD than great riches and trouble with it.

17 A meal of vegetables where there is love, is better than fattened beef and with it hatred.

18 ¶ A angry man stirs up strife: but he who is slow to anger quiets contention.

19 ¶ The path of a slothful man is overgrown with thorns: but the way of the righteous is a level road.

20 ¶ A wise son makes a glad father: but a foolish man despises his mother.

21 ¶ Foolish behavior is fun to one who is devoid of wisdom: but a man of understanding conducts himself rightly.

22 ¶ Without counsel plans go wrong: but with many advisers they succeed.

23 ¶ A man is delighted when his mouth has an appropriate answer: and a word spoken at the right time is extremely good!

24 ¶ The path of the wise leads upward to life, that he may avoid going down to hell.

25 ¶ The LORD will destroy the house of the proud: but he will make the boundary of the widow secure.

26 ¶ The thoughts of the wicked are an abomination to the LORD: but the words of the pure are pleasant words.

27 ¶ He who is greedy for gain troubles his own house; but he who hates bribes will live.

28 ¶ The heart of the righteous thinks before answering: but the mouth of the wicked pours out evil things.

29 ¶ The LORD is far from the wicked: but he hears the prayer of the righteous.

30 ¶ Bright eyes cheer the heart: and good news refreshes the bones.

31 ¶ The ear that hears the reproof that gives life remains among the wise.

32 ¶ He who rejects instruction despises his own soul: but he who hears reproof gains understanding.

33 ¶ The fear of the LORD is the instruction of wisdom; and before honor is humility.

[Note: Verse 33 Those who fear the LORD take his Word seriously when it shows them their sin, and humbly seek his mercy and forgiveness.]