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.]