15

  1A soft answer turns away wrath,
   But a harsh word stirs up anger.
   2The tongue of the wise uses knowledge rightly,
   But the mouth of fools pours forth foolishness.
  3The eyes of the Lordare in every place,
   Keeping watch on the evil and the good.
  4A wholesome tongue is a tree of life,
   But perverseness in it breaks the spirit.
  5A fool despises his father’s instruction,
   But he who receives correction is prudent.
  6In the house of the righteous there is much treasure,
   But in the revenue of the wicked is trouble.
  7The lips of the wise disperse knowledge,
   But the heart of the fool does not do so.
  8The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination to the Lord,
   But the prayer of the upright is His delight.
   9The way of the wicked is an abomination to the Lord,
   But He loves him who follows righteousness.
  10Harsh discipline is for him who forsakes the way,
   Andhe who hates correction will die.
  11Hell and Destruction are before the Lord;
   So how much more the hearts of the sons of men.
  12A scoffer does not love one who corrects him,
   Nor will he go to the wise.
  13A merry heart makes a cheerful countenance,
   But by sorrow of the heart the spirit is broken.
  14The heart of him who has understanding seeks knowledge,
   But the mouth of fools feeds on foolishness.
  15All the days of the afflicted are evil,
   But he who is of a merry heart has a continual feast.
  16Better is a little with the fear of the Lord,
   Than great treasure with trouble.
   17Better is a dinner of herbs where love is,
   Than a fatted calf with hatred.
  18A wrathful man stirs up strife,
   But he who is slow to anger allays contention.
  19The way of the lazy man is like a hedge of thorns,
   But the way of the upright is a highway.
  20A wise son makes a father glad,
   But a foolish man despises his mother.
  21Folly is joy to him who is destitute of discernment,
   But a man of understanding walks uprightly.
  22Without counsel, plans go awry,
   But in the multitude of counselors they are established.
  23A man has joy by the answer of his mouth,
   And a word spoken in due season, how good it is!
  24The way of life winds upward for the wise,
   That he may turn away from hell below.
  25The Lord will destroy the house of the proud,
   But He will establish the boundary of the widow.
  26The thoughts of the wicked are an abomination to the Lord,
   But the words of the pure are pleasant.
  27He who is greedy for gain troubles his own house,
   But he who hates bribes will live.
  28The heart of the righteous studies how to answer,
   But the mouth of the wicked pours forth evil.
  29The Lordis far from the wicked,
   But He hears the prayer of the righteous.
  30The light of the eyes rejoices the heart,
   And a good report makes the bones healthy.
  31The ear that hears the rebukes of life
   Will abide among the wise.
   32He who disdains instruction despises his own soul,
   But he who heeds rebuke gets understanding.
   33The fear of the Lordis the instruction of wisdom,
   And before honor is humility.