Proverbs 15:5-26

⁵A fool scorns his father's instruction: but he that keeps his commandments is more prudent. In abounding righteousness is great strength: but the ungodly shall utterly perish from the earth.

⁶In the houses of the righteous is much strength: but the fruits of the ungodly shall perish.

⁷The lips of the wise are bound by discretion: but the hearts of the foolish are not safe.

⁸The sacrifices of the ungodly are an abomination to the Lord; but the prayers of them that walk honestly are acceptable with him.

⁹The ways of an ungodly man are an abomination to the Lord; but he loves those that follow after righteousness.

¹⁰The instruction of the simple is known by them that pass by; but they that hate reproofs die disgracefully.

¹¹Hell and destruction are manifest to the Lord; how shall not also be the hearts of men?

¹²An uninstructed person will not love those that reprove him; neither will he associate with the wise.

¹³When the heart rejoices the countenance is cheerful; but when it is in sorrow, the countenance is sad.

¹⁴An upright heart seeks discretion; but the mouth of the uninstructed will experience evils.

¹⁵The eyes of the wicked are always looking for evil things; but the good are always quiet.

¹⁶Better is a small portion with the fear of the Lord, than great treasures without the fear of the Lord.

¹⁷Better is an entertainment of herbs with friendliness and kindness, than a feast of calves, with enmity.

¹⁸A passionate man stirs up strife; but he that is slow to anger appeases even a rising one.

^18aA man slow to anger will extinguish quarrels; but an ungodly man rather stirs them up.

¹⁹The ways of sluggards are strewn with thorns; but those of the diligent are made smooth.

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 honour not councils put off deliberation; but counsel abides in the hearts of counsellors.

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 honour.