Proverbs 15 (New American Standard)

Contrast the Upright and the Wicked

1 A ¹gentle answer turns away wrath, But a ^a2harsh word stirs up anger. 2 The ³tongue of the wise makes knowledge ^bacceptable, But the ⁴mouth of fools spouts folly. 3 The ⁵eyes of the LORD are in every place, Watching the evil and the good. 4 A ^csoothing tongue is a tree of life, But perversion in it ^dcrushes the spirit. 5 A fool ^erejects his father's discipline, But he who regards reproof is sensible. 6 Great wealth is in the house of the ⁶righteous, But trouble is in the income of the wicked. 7 The lips of the wise spread knowledge, But the hearts of fools are not so. 8 The ⁷sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination to the LORD, But ⁸the prayer of the upright is His delight. 9 The way of the wicked is an abomination to the LORD, But He loves one who ⁹pursues righteousness. 10 Grievous punishment is for him who forsakes the way ; He who hates reproof will die. 11 ^f10Sheol and ^gAbaddon lie open before the LORD, How much more the ¹¹hearts of ^hmen ! 12 A ¹²scoffer does not love one who reproves him, He will not go to the wise. 13 A ¹³joyful heart makes a ⁱcheerful face, But ^jwhen the heart is ¹⁴sad, the ¹⁵spirit is broken. 14 The ¹⁶mind of the intelligent seeks knowledge, But the mouth of fools feeds on folly. 15 All the days of the afflicted are bad, But a ^kcheerful heart has a continual feast. 16 ¹⁷Better is a little with the ^lfear of the LORD Than great treasure and turmoil with it. 17 ¹⁸Better is a ^mdish of ⁿvegetables where love is Than a ¹⁹fattened ox served with hatred. 18 A ²⁰hot-tempered man stirs up strife, But the ²¹slow to anger ²²calms a dispute. 19 The way of the lazy is as a hedge of thorns, But the path of the upright is a highway. 20 A ²³wise son makes a father glad, But a foolish man ²⁴despises his mother. 21 Folly is joy to him who lacks ^osense, But a man of understanding ²⁵walks straight. 22 Without consultation, plans are frustrated, But with many counselors they ^psucceed. 23 A ²⁶man has joy in an ^qapt answer, And how delightful is a timely ²⁷word ! 24 The ²⁸path of life leads upward for the wise That he may keep away from ^rSheol below. 25 The LORD will ²⁹tear down the house of the proud, But He will ³⁰establish the boundary of the ³¹widow. 26 Evil plans are an abomination to the LORD, But pleasant words are pure. 27 He who ³²profits illicitly troubles his own house, But he who ³³hates bribes will live. 28 The heart of the righteous ³⁴ponders how to answer, But the ³⁵mouth of the wicked pours out evil things. 29 The LORD is ³⁶far from the wicked, But He ³⁷hears the prayer of the righteous. 30 ^sBright eyes gladden the heart ; Good news puts fat on the bones. 31 He whose ear listens to the life-giving reproof Will dwell among the wise. 32 He who ³⁸neglects discipline ³⁹despises himself, But he who ⁴⁰listens to reproof acquires ^tunderstanding. 33 The ^ufear of the LORD is the instruction for wisdom, And before honor comes humility.