Proverbs 15

1WRATH destroyeth even the prudent; now a soft answer turneth away wrath, but a harsh word stirreth up anger.

2The tongue of the wise knoweth good things; but the mouth of fools poureth out evils.

3The eyes of the Lord are in every place, they behold both the evil and the good.

4A healing tongue is a tree of life; and he who keepeth it shall be filled with the spirit.

5A fool despiseth the instruction of a father: but he who keepeth commands is more prudent.
Where righteousness aboundeth there is much power: but the wicked being utterly rooted out of the land, shall perish.

6In the houses of the righteous there is much power; but the fruits of the wicked shall perish.

7The lips of the wise are devoted to knowledge; but the hearts of fools are not safe.

8The sacrifices of the wicked are an abomination to the Lord; but the prayers of the upright are acceptable to him.

9The ways of the wicked are an abomination to the Lord; but he loveth them who follow righteousness.

10The correction of the innocent is remarked by them who pass by; but they who hate reproofs die dishonourably.

11The mansion of the dead, and destruction, are open to the view of the Lord; how much more, then, the hearts of men!

12An uninstructed man will not love them who reprove him, nor will he associate with the wise.

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

14An upright heart seeketh knowledge; but the mouth of the uninstructed will taste evils.

15The eyes of the wicked are continually looking for evils; but the good are continually at rest.

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

17Better is a dinner on herbs, with friendship and favour, than a feast on young bulls, with enmity.

18A wrathful man prepareth battles; but he who is slow to anger appeaseth the rising quarrel.
A man slow to anger will extinguish law suits; but the wicked rather promote them.

19The ways of the slothful are strewed with thorns; but those of the diligent are well beaten.

20A wise son maketh a glad father; but a foolish son mocketh his mother.

21The paths of the foolish are destitute of understanding; but a prudent man walketh uprightly.

22They who do not honour councils, substitute thoughts: but by the understanding of counsellors, counsel will endure.

23A wicked man will not hearken to it, nor can he say anything in season, or for the public good.

24The determinations of the wise are ways of life, that he may turn from the mansion of the dead and be saved.

25The Lord destroyeth the houses of the haughty: but the border of the widow He hath established.

26An evil thought is an abomination to the Lord: but the speeches of the chaste are grave.

27He who receiveth bribes destroyeth himself: but he who hateth the receiving of bribes is safe.
By acts of kindness and faithfulness sins are purged away: and by the fear of the Lord everyone will decline from evil.

28The hearts of the righteous study faithfulness: but the mouth of the wicked poureth out evil things.
The ways of the righteous are acceptable to the Lord: and by them enemies are made friends.

29God is far removed from the wicked: but He hearkeneth to the prayers of the righteous.
Better is a small portion with righteousness; than much produce with injustice. Let the heart of man devise righteous things, that his steps may be directed by God.