Proverbs 15:1-23

¹A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.

²The tongue of wise people compliments knowledge, but the mouth of fools pours out folly.

³The eyes of Yahweh are everywhere, keeping watch over the evil and the good.

⁴A healing tongue is a tree of life, but a deceitful tongue crushes the spirit.

⁵A fool has contempt for his father's instruction, but he who learns from correction is prudent.

⁶In the house of the righteous person there is great treasure, but the earnings of the wicked person give him trouble.

⁷The lips of wise people scatter knowledge about, but not so the hearts of fools.

⁸Yahweh hates the sacrifices of wicked people, but the prayer of upright people is his delight.

⁹Yahweh hates the way of wicked people, but he loves the one who pursues what is right.

¹⁰Harsh discipline awaits anyone who forsakes the way and he who hates correction will die.

¹¹Sheol and destruction are open before Yahweh; how much more the hearts of the sons of mankind?

¹²The mocker resents correction; he will not go to the wise.

¹³A joyful heart makes the face cheerful, but heartache crushes the spirit.

¹⁴The heart of the discerning seeks knowledge, but the mouth of fools feeds on folly.

¹⁵All the days of oppressed people are miserable, but a cheerful heart has an unending feast.

¹⁶Better is little with the fear of Yahweh than great treasure with confusion.

¹⁷Better is a meal with vegetables where there is love than a fatted calf served with hatred.

¹⁸An angry man stirs up arguments, but a person who is slow to anger quiets a quarrel.

¹⁹The path of the sluggard is like a place with a hedge of thorns, but the path of the upright is a built-up highway.

²⁰A wise son brings joy to his father, but a foolish person despises his mother.

²¹Folly delights a person who lacks sense, but the one who has understanding walks a straight path.

²²Plans go wrong where there is no advice, but with numerous advisors they succeed.

²³A person finds joy when he gives a pertinent reply; how good is a timely word!