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The Proverbs

⭑ Berean Study Bible :: World English Bible Catholic ⭑

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- Chapter 15 -

The tongue of the wise

1
A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.
2
The tongue of the wise commends knowledge, but the mouth of the fool spouts folly.
3
The eyes of the LORD are in every place, observing the evil and the good.
4
A soothing tongue is a tree of life, but a perverse tongue crushes the spirit.
5
A fool rejects his father’s discipline, but whoever heeds correction is prudent.
6
The house of the righteous has great treasure, but the income of the wicked is trouble.
7
The lips of the wise spread knowledge, but not so the hearts of fools.
8
The sacrifice of the wicked is detestable to the LORD, but the prayer of the upright is His delight.
9
The LORD detests the way of the wicked, but He loves those who pursue righteousness.
10
Discipline is harsh for him who leaves the path; he who hates correction will die.
11
Sheol and Abaddon (a) lie open before the LORD— how much more the hearts of men!
12
A mocker does not love to be reproved, nor will he consult the wise.

Reward for a cheerful heart

13
A joyful heart makes a cheerful countenance, but sorrow of the heart crushes the spirit.
14
A discerning heart seeks knowledge, but the mouth of a fool feeds on folly.
15
All the days of the oppressed are bad, but a cheerful heart has a continual feast.
16
Better a little with the fear of the LORD than great treasure with turmoil.
17
Better a dish of vegetables where there is love than a fattened ox with hatred.
18
A hot-tempered man stirs up strife, but he who is slow to anger calms dispute.
19
The way of the slacker is like a hedge of thorns, but the path of the upright is a highway.
20
A wise son brings joy to his father, but a foolish man despises his mother.

Instruction in wisdom

21
Folly is joy to one who lacks judgment, but a man of understanding walks a straight path.
22
Plans fail for lack of counsel, but with many advisers they succeed.
23
A man takes joy in a fitting reply— and how good is a timely word!
24
The path of life leads upward for the wise, that he may avoid going down to Sheol.
25
The LORD tears down the house of the proud, but He protects the boundaries of the widow.
26
The LORD detests the thoughts of the wicked, but the words of the pure are pleasant to Him.
27
He who is greedy for unjust gain brings trouble on his household, but he who hates bribes will live.
28
The heart of the righteous ponders how to answer, but the mouth of the wicked blurts out evil.
29
The LORD is far from the wicked, but He hears the prayer of the righteous.
30
The light of the eyes cheers the heart, and good news nourishes the bones.
31
He who listens to life-giving reproof will dwell among the wise.
32
He who ignores discipline despises himself, but whoever heeds correction gains understanding.
33
The fear of the LORD is the instruction of wisdom, and humility comes before honor.

Footnotes

(a)15:11 Or Death and Destruction

The tongue of the wise

1
A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.
2
The tongue of the wise commends knowledge, but the mouths of fools gush out folly.
3
The LORD’s eyes are everywhere, keeping watch on the evil and the good.
4
A gentle tongue is a tree of life, but deceit in it crushes the spirit.
5
A fool despises his father’s correction, but he who heeds reproof shows prudence.
6
In the house of the righteous is much treasure, but the income of the wicked brings trouble.
7
The lips of the wise spread knowledge; not so with the heart of fools.
8
The sacrifice made by the wicked is an abomination to the LORD, but the prayer of the upright is his delight.
9
The way of the wicked is an abomination to the LORD, but he loves him who follows after righteousness.
10
There is stern discipline for one who forsakes the way. Whoever hates reproof shall die.
11
Sheol (a) and Abaddon are before the LORD— how much more then the hearts of the children of men!
12
A scoffer doesn’t love to be reproved; he will not go to the wise.

Reward for a cheerful heart

13
A glad heart makes a cheerful face, but an aching heart breaks the spirit.
14
The heart of one who has understanding seeks knowledge, but the mouths of fools feed on folly.
15
All the days of the afflicted are wretched, but one who has a cheerful heart enjoys a continual feast.
16
Better is little, with the fear of the LORD, than great treasure with trouble.
17
Better is a dinner of herbs, where love is, than a fattened calf with hatred.
18
A wrathful man stirs up contention, but one who is slow to anger appeases strife.
19
The way of the sluggard is like a thorn patch, but the path of the upright is a highway.
20
A wise son makes a father glad, but a foolish man despises his mother.

Instruction in wisdom

21
Folly is joy to one who is void of wisdom, but a man of understanding keeps his way straight.
22
Where there is no counsel, plans fail; but in a multitude of counselors they are established.
23
Joy comes to a man with the reply of his mouth. How good is a word at the right time!
24
The path of life leads upward for the wise, to keep him from going downward to Sheol.(b)
25
The LORD will uproot the house of the proud, but he will keep the widow’s borders intact.
26
The LORD detests the thoughts of the wicked, but the thoughts of the pure are pleasing.
27
He who is greedy for gain troubles his own house, but he who hates bribes will live.
28
The heart of the righteous weighs answers, but the mouth of the wicked gushes out evil.
29
The LORD is far from the wicked, but he hears the prayer of the righteous.
30
The light of the eyes rejoices the heart. Good news gives health to the bones.
31
The ear that listens to reproof lives, and will be at home among the wise.
32
He who refuses correction despises his own soul, but he who listens to reproof gets understanding.
33
The fear of the LORD teaches wisdom. Before honor is humility.

Footnotes

(a)15:11 Sheol is the place of the dead.
(b)15:24 Sheol is the place of the dead.
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