Proverbs 15:20-29b

²⁰A wise son gladdens his father; But a foolish son sneers at his mother.

²¹The ways of a foolish man are void of sense; But a wise man proceeds on his way aright.

²²They that honor not councils put off deliberation; But counsel abides in the hearts of counselors.

²³A bad man will by no means attend to counsel; Neither will he say anything seasonable, or good for the common weal.

²⁴The thoughts of the wise are ways of life, That he may turn aside and escape from hell.

²⁵The Lord pulls down the houses of scorners; But he establishes the border of the widow.

²⁶An unrighteous thought is abomination to the Lord; But the sayings of the pure are held in honor.

²⁷A receiver of bribes destroys himself; But he that hates the receiving of bribes is safe.

^27aBy alms and by faithful dealings sins are purged away; But by the fear of the Lord everyone departs from evil.

²⁸The hearts of the righteous meditate faithfulness; But the mouth of the ungodly answers evil things.

^28aThe ways of righteous men are acceptable with the Lord; And through them even enemies become friends.

²⁹God is far from the ungodly; But he hearkens to the prayers of the righteous.

^29aBetter are small receipts with righteousness, Than abundant fruits with unrighteousness.

^29bLet the heart of a man think justly, That his steps may be rightly ordered of God.