Proverbs 15:1-4, 23-28

A soft and gentle and thoughtful answer turns away wrath, But harsh and painful and careless words stir up anger. [Prov 25:15] The tongue of the wise speaks knowledge that is pleasing and acceptable, But the [babbling] mouth of fools spouts folly. The eyes of the LORD are in every place, Watching the evil and the good [in all their endeavors]. [Job 34:21; Prov 5:21; Jer 16:17; 32:19; Heb 4:13] A soothing tongue [speaking words that build up and encourage] is a tree of life, But a perversive tongue [speaking words that overwhelm and depress] crushes the spirit.

A man has joy in giving an appropriate answer, And how good and delightful is a word spoken at the right moment—how good it is! The [chosen] path of life leads upward for the wise, That he may keep away from Sheol (the nether world, the place of the dead) below. [Phil 3:20; Col 3:1, 2] The LORD will tear down the house of the proud and arrogant (self-righteous), But He will establish and protect the boundaries [of the land] of the [godly] widow. Evil plans and thoughts of the wicked are exceedingly vile and offensive to the LORD, But pure words are pleasant words to Him. He who profits unlawfully brings suffering to his own house, But he who hates bribes [and does not receive nor pay them] will live. [Is 5:8; Jer 17:11] The heart of the righteous thinks carefully about how to answer [in a wise and appropriate and timely way], But the [babbling] mouth of the wicked pours out malevolent things. [1 Pet 3:15]

Verse Images for Proverbs 15:1-4, 23-28