More Wise Ways to Live
15 A gentle answer turns away wrath,
but a harsh word stirs up anger.
2 The tongue of the wise enhances knowledge,
but the mouths of fools spout stupidity.
3 The eyes of the Lord are everywhere,
watching evil people as well as the good.
4 A healing tongue is a tree of life,
but a perverse tongue shatters the spirit.
5 A stubborn fool despises his father’s discipline,
but whoever heeds correction is sensible.
6 The house of the righteous contains great wealth,
but the income of the wicked brings trouble.
7 The lips of the wise spread knowledge,
but the heart of fools—not so.
8 A sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination[a] to the Lord,
but a prayer of the upright gains his favor.
9 The way of a wicked person is repulsive[b] to the Lord,
but he loves those who pursue righteousness.
10 Harsh discipline waits for anyone who leaves the path,
and a person who hates correction will die.
11 Death and Destruction[c] lie open before the Lord—
how much more human hearts!
12 A scoffer does not love anyone who corrects him.
He will not go to wise people.
13 A joyful heart makes a cheerful face,
but a sorrowful heart crushes the spirit.
14 The heart of a discerning person seeks knowledge,
but the mouths of fools feed on stupidity.
15 All the days of an oppressed person are evil,
but a cheerful heart enjoys a continuous celebration.[d]
16 Better a little with the fear of the Lord
than great wealth with turmoil.
17 Better a meal of vegetables where there is love
than a fattened calf with hatred.
18 A hothead stirs up a fight,
but a patient person calms a dispute.
19 The way of a lazy person is like a thorny hedge,
but the path of upright people is a highway.
Advice for a Wise Son
20 A wise son brings joy to his father,
but a foolish person despises his mother.
21 Stupidity delights a person who lacks sense,
but one who has understanding stays on course.
22 Plans fail without advice,
but where there are many advisors they succeed.
23 Giving an apt response with his own mouth makes a person happy,
and a word at the right time—oh how good!
24 The path of life leads upward for a person with insight,
so that he may turn away from hell[e] below.
25 The Lord tears down the house of the arrogant,
but he maintains the property line of a widow.
26 The plans of the wicked are disgusting[f] to the Lord,
but pleasant words are pure to him.
27 Someone who is greedy for gain brings trouble to his own household,
but a person who hates bribes will live.
28 The heart of a righteous person ponders his answer,
but the mouth of a wicked person gushes evil.
29 The Lord is far away from the wicked,
but he hears the prayer of the righteous.
30 A twinkle in the eyes delights the heart,
and good news gives health to the bones.
31 An ear that listens to a life-giving warning
will find a home among the wise.
32 A person who ignores discipline despises himself,
but a person who listens to a warning acquires good sense.
33 The fear of the Lord gives discipline and wisdom,
and humility comes before honor.
Footnotes
- Proverbs 15:8 Or is disgusting or is repulsive
- Proverbs 15:9 Or is an abomination
- Proverbs 15:11 Hebrew Sheol and Abaddon
- Proverbs 15:15 The word celebration refers to a feast which includes drinking.
- Proverbs 15:24 Or the grave. The Hebrew word is sheol.
- Proverbs 15:26 Or are an abomination