Proverbs 15

1 Anger destroys even discerning people, but a submissive answer turns away fury, while a painful word stirs up anger.

2 The tongue of the wise knows good things, but the mouth of fools announces evils.

3 The Lord’s eyes are in every place, watching both evil and good people.

4 Healing from the tongue is a tree of life, and whoever preserves it will be filled with spirit.

5 A fool mocks his father’s instruction, but whoever guards commands is more shrewd.

6 Great strength is found in abundant righteousness, but the ungodly will perish from the earth, roots and all. Great strength is in the houses of the righteous, but the fruits of the ungodly will perish.

7 The lips of the wise are bound by perception, but the hearts of fools are unsafe.

8 The sacrifices of the ungodly are detestable to the Lord, but the prayers of those who walk uprightly are acceptable to him.

9 The roads of an ungodly person are detestable to the Lord, but he loves those who pursue righteousness.

10 The instruction of an innocent person is recognized by those passing by, but those who hate correction die in disgrace.

11 Hades and destruction are visible to the Lord; how much more the hearts of human beings!

12 An uninstructed person will not love those who correct him or associate with the wise.

13 When the heart rejoices, the face flourishes, but when the heart is in sorrow, the face becomes gloomy.

14 An upright heart seeks perception, but the mouth of the uninstructed will experience evils.

15 The eyes of evil people expect evils at all times, but good people remain calm continually.

16 A small portion with the fear of the Lord is better than great treasures without fear of him.

17 A meal of vegetables with friendship and favor is better than a serving of calves with hostility.

18 A hot-tempered man prepares fights, but a patient man calms even a fight that is about to begin. A patient man extinguishes disputes, but an ungodly man stirs them up further.

19 The roads of the idle are spread with thorns, but those of the energetic are well worn.

20 A wise son gladdens his father, but a foolish son mocks his mother.

21 The tracks of a senseless person lack good sense, but a discerning man travels while directing his way.

22 Those who do not honor councils postpone their plans, but counsel remains in the hearts of advisers.

23 An evil person will not listen to counsel or say anything timely and good for the community.

24 The thoughts of one who understands are roads of life, so that he may turn aside and be saved from Hades.

25 The Lord tears down the houses of arrogant people, but he establishes the boundary of a widow.

26 An unjust thought is detestable to the Lord, but the words of the pure are honorable.

27 Whoever takes bribes destroys himself, but whoever hates receiving gifts is saved. Sins are cleansed by acts of mercy and faithfulness, and through the fear of the Lord everyone turns away from evil.

28 The hearts of the righteous meditate on faithfulness, but the mouth of the ungodly answers with evils. The roads of righteous people are acceptable to the Lord, and through them even enemies become friends.

29 God remains far from the ungodly but listens to the prayers of the righteous. A small income with righteousness is better than abundant produce with injustice.

30 Let a man’s heart consider righteous things so that God may set his steps right. An eye that sees good things gladdens the heart, and a good report nourishes the bones.

32 Whoever rejects instruction hates himself, but whoever guards corrections loves his own soul.

33 The fear of God is instruction and wisdom, and the beginning of glory corresponds to it.