Proverbs 15
1 Anger slays even wise men; yet a
submissive answer turns away wrath: but a grievous word stirs up anger.
2 The tongue of the wise knows what is
good: but the mouth of the foolish tells out evil things.
3 The eyes of the Lord behold both the
evil and the good in every place. 4 aGr. the healing of the tongue.The wholesome tongue is a tree of life, and he that keeps it shall be filled
with
bGr. spirit.understanding. 5 A 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
cGr. with the roots wholly torn up.utterly perish from the earth.
6 In the houses of the righteous is
much strength: but the fruits of the ungodly shall perish.
7 The lips of the wise are bound by
discretion: but the hearts of the foolish are not safe.
8 The sacrifices of the ungodly are an
abomination to the Lord; but the prayers of them that walk honestly are
acceptable with him. 9 The ways of an
ungodly man are an abomination to the Lord; but he
loves those that follow after righteousness.
10 The instruction of the simple is
known by them that pass by; but they that hate reproofs die disgracefully.
11 Hell and destruction are manifest
to the Lord; how shall not also be the hearts of men?
12 An uninstructed person will not
love those that reprove him; neither will he associate with the wise.
13 When the heart rejoices the
countenance is cheerful; but when it is in sorrow,
the countenance is sad.
14 An upright heart seeks discretion;
but the mouth of the uninstructed will experience evils.
15 The eyes of the wicked are always
looking for evil things; but the good are always quiet.
16 Better is a small portion with the
fear of the Lord, than great treasures without the fear
of the Lord.
17 Better is an entertainment of
herbs with friendliness and kindness, than a feast of calves, with enmity.
18 A passionate man stirs up strife;
but he that is slow to anger appeases even a
dGr. future.rising one. 18a A man slow to anger
will extinguish quarrels; but an ungodly man rather stirs
them up.
19 The ways of sluggards are strewn
with thorns; but those of the diligent are made smooth.
20 A wise son gladdens
his father; but a foolish son sneers at his mother.
21 The ways of a foolish man are void
of sense; but a wise man proceeds on his way aright.
22 They that honour not councils put
off deliberation; but counsel abides in the hearts of counsellors.
23 A bad man will by no means
eOr, obey.attend to counsel; neither will he say anything seasonable, or good for the
common weal.
24 The thoughts of the wise are ways
of life, that he may turn aside and escape from hell.
25 The Lord pulls down the houses of
scorners; but he establishes the border of the widow.
26 An unrighteous thought is
abomination to the Lord; but the sayings of the pure are held in honour.
27 A receiver of bribes destroys
himself; but he that hates the receiving of bribes is safe.
27a [By alms and by faithful dealings
fObserve, this is not in the Heb. nor any such doctrine.sins are purged away;] but by the fear of the Lord every one departs from
evil.
28 The hearts of the righteous
meditate faithfulness; but the mouth of the ungodly answers evil things.
28a The ways of righteous men are
acceptable with the Lord; and through them even enemies become friends.
29 God is far from the ungodly; but
he hearkens to the prayers of the righteous.
29a Better are small receipts with
righteousness, than abundant fruits with unrighteousness.
29b Let the heart of a man think
justly, that his steps may be rightly ordered of God.
30 The eye that sees rightly rejoices
the heart; and a good report fattens the bones.
32 He that rejects instruction hates
himself; but he that minds reproofs loves his soul.
33 The fear of the Lord is
instruction and wisdom; and the highest honour will correspond therewith.