1 A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger. 2 The tongue of the wise commends knowledge, but the mouth of the fool spouts folly. 3 The eyes of the LORD are in every place, observing the evil and the good. 4 A soothing tongue is a tree of life, but a perverse tongue crushes the spirit. 5 A fool rejects his father’s discipline, but whoever heeds correction is prudent. 6 The house of the righteous has great treasure, but the income of the wicked is trouble. 7 The lips of the wise spread knowledge, but not so the hearts of fools. 8 The sacrifice of the wicked is detestable to the LORD, but the prayer of the upright is His delight. 9 The LORD detests the way of the wicked, but He loves those who pursue righteousness. 10 Discipline is harsh for him who leaves the path; he who hates correction will die. 11 Sheol and Abaddon lie open before the LORD— how much more the hearts of men! 12 A mocker does not love to be reproved, nor will he consult the wise. 13 A joyful heart makes a cheerful countenance, but sorrow of the heart crushes the spirit. 14 A discerning heart seeks knowledge, but the mouth of a fool feeds on folly. 15 All the days of the oppressed are bad, but a cheerful heart has a continual feast. 16 Better a little with the fear of the LORD than great treasure with turmoil. 17 Better a dish of vegetables where there is love than a fattened ox with hatred. 18 A hot-tempered man stirs up strife, but he who is slow to anger calms dispute. 19 The way of the slacker is like a hedge of thorns, but the path of the upright is a highway. 20 A wise son brings joy to his father, but a foolish man despises his mother. 21 Folly is joy to one who lacks judgment, but a man of understanding walks a straight path. 22 Plans fail for lack of counsel, but with many advisers they succeed. 23 A man takes joy in a fitting reply— and how good is a timely word! 24 The path of life leads upward for the wise, that he may avoid going down to Sheol. 25 The LORD tears down the house of the proud, but He protects the boundaries of the widow. 26 The LORD detests the thoughts of the wicked, but the words of the pure are pleasant to Him. 27 He who is greedy for unjust gain brings trouble on his household, but he who hates bribes will live. 28 The heart of the righteous ponders how to answer, but the mouth of the wicked blurts out evil. 29 The LORD is far from the wicked, but He hears the prayer of the righteous. 30 The light of the eyes cheers the heart, and good news nourishes the bones. 31 He who listens to life-giving reproof will dwell among the wise. 32 He who ignores discipline despises himself, but whoever heeds correction gains understanding. 33 The fear of the LORD is the…
Proverbs 15:1–33
Semantically similar passages
Proverbs 10:7–9
7 The memory of the righteous is a blessing, but the name of the wicked will rot. 8 A wise heart will receive commandments, but foolish lips will come to ruin. 9 He who walks in integrity walks securely, but he who perverts his ways will be found out.
Proverbs 11:22–24
22 Like a gold ring in a pig’s snout is a beautiful woman who lacks discretion. 23 The desire of the righteous leads only to good, but the hope of the wicked brings wrath. 24 One gives freely, yet gains even more; another withholds what is right, only to become poor.
Proverbs 16:21–23
21 The wise in heart are called discerning, and pleasant speech promotes instruction. 22 Understanding is a fountain of life to its possessor, but the discipline of fools is folly. 23 The heart of the wise man instructs his mouth and adds persuasiveness to his lips.
Proverbs 12:14–16
14 By fruitful speech a man is filled with good things, and the work of his hands returns to him. 15 The way of a fool is right in his own eyes, but a wise man listens to counsel. 16 A fool’s anger is known at once, but a prudent man overlooks an insult.
Proverbs 10:30–32
30 The righteous will never be shaken, but the wicked will not inhabit the land. 31 The mouth of the righteous brings forth wisdom, but a perverse tongue will be cut out. 32 The lips of the righteous know what is fitting, but the mouth of the wicked is perverse.
Proverbs 10:13–15
13 Wisdom is found on the lips of the discerning, but a rod is for the back of him who lacks judgment. 14 The wise store up knowledge, but the mouth of the fool invites destruction. 15 The wealth of the rich man is his fortified city, but poverty is the ruin of the poor.
Proverbs 28:13–15
13 He who conceals his sins will not prosper, but whoever confesses and renounces them will find mercy. 14 Blessed is the man who is always reverent, but he who hardens his heart falls into trouble. 15 Like a roaring lion or a charging bear is a wicked ruler over a help…
Proverbs 14:7–9
7 Stay away from a foolish man; you will gain no knowledge from his speech. 8 The wisdom of the prudent is to discern his way, but the folly of fools deceives them. 9 Fools mock the making of amends, but goodwill is found among the upright.
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