Proverbs 15

15 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 pour out folly. ³ The eyes of our Father are in every place, keeping watch on the evil and the good. ⁴ A gentle tongue is a tree of life, but a corrupt tongue crushes the spirit. ⁵ A fool despises his father's instruction, but whoever heeds correction is prudent. ⁶ In the house of the righteous there is much treasure, but the income of the wicked brings 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 our Father, but the prayer of the upright is his delight. ⁹ The way of the wicked is detestable to our Father, but he loves the one who pursues righteousness. ¹⁰ There is severe discipline for the one who leaves the path, and whoever hates correction will die. ¹¹ The grave and Destruction lie open before our Father; how much more the hearts of all people! ¹² A scoffer does not love to be corrected; he will not go to the wise. ¹³ A glad heart makes a cheerful face, but a sorrowful heart crushes the spirit. ¹⁴ A discerning heart seeks knowledge, but the mouths of fools feed on folly. ¹⁵ All the days of the afflicted are hard, but a cheerful heart has a continual feast. ¹⁶ Better a little with the fear of our Father than great treasure and trouble with it. ¹⁷ Better a meal of vegetables where there is love than a fattened ox with hatred. ¹⁸ A hot-tempered man stirs up strife, but one who is slow to anger calms a quarrel. ¹⁹ The way of the lazy is like a hedge of thorns, but the path of the upright is a level highway. ²⁰ A wise son makes a glad father, but a foolish man despises his mother. ²¹ Folly is joy to one who lacks sense, but a person of understanding walks a straight path. ²² Plans fail without counsel, but with many advisers they succeed. ²³ A person finds joy in giving an apt reply, and how good is a word at the right time! ²⁴ The path of life leads upward for the prudent, turning him away from the grave below. ²⁵ Our Father tears down the house of the proud, but he protects the widow's boundary. ²⁶ The thoughts of the wicked are detestable to our Father, but gracious words are pure. ²⁷ Whoever is greedy for unjust gain brings trouble on his own household, but the one who hates bribes will live. ²⁸ The heart of the righteous weighs how to answer, but the mouth of the wicked pours out evil. ²⁹ Our Father is far from the wicked, but he hears the prayer of the righteous. ³⁰ The light of the eyes brings joy to the heart, and good news refreshes the bones. ³¹ The ear that listens to life-giving correction will dwell among the wise. ³² Whoever ignores instruction despises himself, but whoever listens to correction gains understanding. ³³ The fear of our Father is the instruction of wisdom, and humility comes before honor.