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The Proverbs

⭑ Douay-Rheims :: World English Bible Catholic ⭑

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- Chapter 15 -

The tongue of the wise

1
A mild answer breaketh wrath: but a harsh word stirreth up fury.
2
The tongue of the wise adorneth knowledge: but the mouth of fools bubbleth out folly.
3
The eyes of the Lord in every place behold the good and the evil.
4
A peaceable tongue is a tree of life: but that which is immoderate, shall crush the spirit.
5
A fool laugheth at the instruction of his father: but he that regardeth reproofs shall become prudent. In abundant justice there is the greatest strength: but the devices of the wicked shall be rooted out.
6
The house of the just is very much strength: and in the fruits of the wicked is trouble.
7
The lips of the wise shall disperse knowledge: the heart of fools shall be unlike.
8
The victims of the wicked are abominable to the Lord: the vows of the just are acceptable.
9
The way of the wicked is an abomination to the Lord: he that followeth justice is beloved by him.
10
Instruction is grievous to him that forsaketh the way of life: he that hateth reproof shall die.
11
Hell and destruction are before the Lord: how much more the hearts of the children of men?
12
A corrupt man loveth not one that reproveth him: nor will he go to the wise.

Reward for a cheerful heart

13
A glad heart maketh a cheerful countenance: but by grief of mind the spirit is cast down.
14
The heart of the wise seeketh instruction: and the mouth of fools feedeth on foolishness.
15
All the days of the poor are evil: a secure mind is like a continual feast.
16
Better is a little with the fear of the Lord, than great treasures without content,
17
It is better to be invited to herbs with love, than to a fatted calf with hatred.
18
A passionate man stirreth up strifes: he that is patient appeaseth those that are stirred up.
19
The way of the slothful is as a hedge of thorns; the way of the just is without offence.
20
A wise son maketh a father joyful: but the foolish man despiseth his mother.

Instruction in wisdom

21
Folly is joy to the fool: and the wise man maketh straight his steps.
22
Designs are brought to nothing where there is no counsel: but where there are many counsellors, they are established.
23
A man rejoiceth in the sentence of his mouth: and a word in due time is best.
24
The path of life is above for the wise, that he may decline from the lowest hell.
25
The Lord will destroy the house of the proud: and will strengthen the borders of the widow.
26
Evil thoughts are an abomination to the Lord: and pure words most beautiful shall be confirmed by him.
27
He that is greedy of gain troubleth his own house: but he that hateth bribes shall live. By mercy and faith sins are purged away: and by the fear of the Lord every one declineth from evil.
28
The mind of the just studieth obedience: the mouth of the wicked over floweth with evils.
29
The Lord is far from the wicked: and he will hear the prayers of the just.
30
The light of the eyes rejoiceth the soul: a good name maketh the bones fat.
31
The ear that heareth the reproofs of life, shall abide in the midst of the wise.
32
He that rejecteth instruction, despiseth his own soul: but he that yieldeth to reproof possesseth understanding.
33
The fear of the Lord is the lesson of wisdom: and humility goeth before glory.

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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