15
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 fools gush out folly.
3 Adonai’s eyes are everywhere,
keeping watch on the evil and the good.
4 A gentle tongue is a tree of life,
but deceit in it crushes the spirit.
5 A fool despises his father’s correction,
but he who heeds reproof shows prudence.
6 In the house of the upright is much treasure,
but the income of the wicked brings trouble.
7 The lips of the wise spread knowledge;
not so with the heart of fools.
8 The sacrifice made by the wicked is an abomination to Adonai,
but the prayer of the upright is his delight.
9 The way of the wicked is an abomination to Adonai,
but he 'ahav ·affectionately loves· him who follows after righteousness.
10 There is stern discipline for one who forsakes the way:
whoever hates reproof shall die.
11 Sheol ·Place of the dead· and Abaddon ·Destruction, Unrighteous side of Sheol· are before Adonai,
how much more then the hearts of the children of men!
12 A scoffer does not 'ahav ·affectionately love· to be reproved;
he will not go to the wise.
13 A glad heart makes a cheerful face;
but an aching heart breaks the spirit.
14 The heart of one who has understanding seeks knowledge,
but the mouths of fools feed on folly.
15 All the days of the afflicted are wretched,
but one who has a cheerful heart enjoys a continual feast.
16 Better is little, with the fear of Adonai,
than great treasure with trouble.
17 Better is a dinner of herbs, where love is,
than a fattened calf with hatred.
18 A wrathful man stirs up contention,
but one who is slow to anger appeases strife.
19 The way of the sluggard is like a thorn patch,
but the path of the upright is a highway.
20 A wise son makes a father glad,
but a foolish man despises his mother.
21 Folly is joy to one who is void of wisdom,
but a man of understanding keeps his way straight.
22 Where there is no counsel, plans fail;
but in a multitude of counselors they are established.
23 Joy comes to a man with the reply of his mouth.
How good is a word at the right time!
24 The path of life leads upward for the wise,
to keep him from going downward to Sheol ·Place of the dead·.
25 Adonai will uproot the house of the proud,
but he will keep the widow’s borders intact.
26 Adonai detests the thoughts of the wicked,
but the thoughts of the pure are pleasing.
27 He who is greedy for gain troubles his own house,
but he who hates bribes will live.
28 The heart of the upright weighs answers,
but the mouth of the wicked gushes out evil.
29 Adonai is far from the wicked,
but he sh'ma ·hears obeys· the prayer of the upright. *
30 The light of the eyes rejoices the heart.
Good news gives health to the bones.
31 The ear that sh'ma ·hears obeys· reproof lives,
and will be at home among the wise.
32 He who refuses correction despises his own soul,
but he who sh'ma ·hears obeys· reproof gets understanding.
33 The fear of Adonai teaches wisdom.
Before kavod ·weighty glory· is humility.
* 15:29 . Quoted in John 9:31