Proverbs 15
15
1A gentle answer deflects anger,
but harsh words make tempers flare.
2The tongue of the wise makes knowledge appealing,
but the mouth of a fool belches out foolishness.
3The Lord is watching everywhere,
keeping his eye on both the evil and the good.
4Gentle words are a tree of life;
a deceitful tongue crushes the spirit.
5Only a fool despises a parent’s#15:5 Hebrew father’s. discipline;
whoever learns from correction is wise.
6There is treasure in the house of the godly,
but the earnings of the wicked bring trouble.
7The lips of the wise give good advice;
the heart of a fool has none to give.
8The Lord detests the sacrifice of the wicked,
but he delights in the prayers of the upright.
9The Lord detests the way of the wicked,
but he loves those who pursue godliness.
10Whoever abandons the right path will be severely disciplined;
whoever hates correction will die.
11Even Death and Destruction#15:11 Hebrew Sheol and Abaddon. hold no secrets from the Lord.
How much more does he know the human heart!
12Mockers hate to be corrected,
so they stay away from the wise.
13A glad heart makes a happy face;
a broken heart crushes the spirit.
14A wise person is hungry for knowledge,
while the fool feeds on trash.
15For the despondent, every day brings trouble;
for the happy heart, life is a continual feast.
16Better to have little, with fear for the Lord,
than to have great treasure and inner turmoil.
17A bowl of vegetables with someone you love
is better than steak with someone you hate.
18A hot-tempered person starts fights;
a cool-tempered person stops them.
19A lazy person’s way is blocked with briers,
but the path of the upright is an open highway.
20Sensible children bring joy to their father;
foolish children despise their mother.
21Foolishness brings joy to those with no sense;
a sensible person stays on the right path.
22Plans go wrong for lack of advice;
many advisers bring success.
23Everyone enjoys a fitting reply;
it is wonderful to say the right thing at the right time!
24The path of life leads upward for the wise;
they leave the grave#15:24 Hebrew Sheol. behind.
25The Lord tears down the house of the proud,
but he protects the property of widows.
26The Lord detests evil plans,
but he delights in pure words.
27Greed brings grief to the whole family,
but those who hate bribes will live.
28The heart of the godly thinks carefully before speaking;
the mouth of the wicked overflows with evil words.
29The Lord is far from the wicked,
but he hears the prayers of the righteous.
30A cheerful look brings joy to the heart;
good news makes for good health.
31If you listen to constructive criticism,
you will be at home among the wise.
32If you reject discipline, you only harm yourself;
but if you listen to correction, you grow in understanding.
33Fear of the Lord teaches wisdom;
humility precedes honor.
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Holy Bible, New Living Translation copyright 1996, 2004, 2007, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation.
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Proverbs 15
15
1A gentle answer turns away wrath,
but a harsh word stirs up anger.
2The tongue of the wise commends knowledge,
but the mouths of fools gush out folly.
3Yahweh’s eyes are everywhere,
keeping watch on the evil and the good.
4A gentle tongue is a tree of life,
but deceit in it crushes the spirit.
5A fool despises his father’s correction,
but he who heeds reproof shows prudence.
6In the house of the righteous is much treasure,
but the income of the wicked brings trouble.
7The lips of the wise spread knowledge;
not so with the heart of fools.
8The sacrifice made by 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 him who follows after righteousness.
10There is stern discipline for one who forsakes the way.
Whoever hates reproof shall die.
11Sheol#15:11 Sheol is the place of the dead. and Abaddon are before Yahweh—
how much more then the hearts of the children of men!
12A scoffer doesn’t love to be reproved;
he will not go to the wise.
13A glad heart makes a cheerful face,
but an aching heart breaks the spirit.
14The heart of one who has understanding seeks knowledge,
but the mouths of fools feed on folly.
15All the days of the afflicted are wretched,
but one who has a cheerful heart enjoys a continual feast.
16Better is little, with the fear of Yahweh,
than great treasure with trouble.
17Better is a dinner of herbs, where love is,
than a fattened calf with hatred.
18A wrathful man stirs up contention,
but one who is slow to anger appeases strife.
19The way of the sluggard is like a thorn patch,
but the path of the upright is a highway.
20A wise son makes a father glad,
but a foolish man despises his mother.
21Folly is joy to one who is void of wisdom,
but a man of understanding keeps his way straight.
22Where there is no counsel, plans fail;
but in a multitude of counselors they are established.
23Joy comes to a man with the reply of his mouth.
How good is a word at the right time!
24The path of life leads upward for the wise,
to keep him from going downward to Sheol.#15:24 Sheol is the place of the dead.
25Yahweh will uproot the house of the proud,
but he will keep the widow’s borders intact.
26Yahweh detests the thoughts of the wicked,
but the thoughts of the pure are pleasing.
27He who is greedy for gain troubles his own house,
but he who hates bribes will live.
28The heart of the righteous weighs answers,
but the mouth of the wicked gushes out evil.
29Yahweh is far from the wicked,
but he hears the prayer of the righteous.
30The light of the eyes rejoices the heart.
Good news gives health to the bones.
31The ear that listens to reproof lives,
and will be at home among the wise.
32He who refuses correction despises his own soul,
but he who listens to reproof gets understanding.
33The fear of Yahweh teaches wisdom.
Before honor is humility.
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