Proverbs 14:15-16:3

15The simple believe anything, but the prudent give thought to their steps.

16The wise fear the LORD and shun evil, but a fool is hotheaded and yet feels secure.

17A quick-tempered person does foolish things, and the one who devises evil schemes is hated.

18The simple inherit folly, but the prudent are crowned with knowledge.

19Evildoers will bow down in the presence of the good, and the wicked at the gates of the righteous.

20The poor are shunned even by their neighbors, but the rich have many friends.

21It is a sin to despise one’s neighbor, but blessed is the one who is kind to the needy.

22Do not those who plot evil go astray? But those who plan what is good find Or show love and faithfulness.

23All hard work brings a profit, but mere talk leads only to poverty.

24The wealth of the wise is their crown, but the folly of fools yields folly.

25A truthful witness saves lives, but a false witness is deceitful.

26Whoever fears the LORD has a secure fortress, and for their children it will be a refuge.

27The fear of the LORD is a fountain of life, turning a person from the snares of death.

28A large population is a king’s glory, but without subjects a prince is ruined.

29Whoever is patient has great understanding, but one who is quick-tempered displays folly.

30A heart at peace gives life to the body, but envy rots the bones.

31Whoever oppresses the poor shows contempt for their Maker, but whoever is kind to the needy honors God.

32When calamity comes, the wicked are brought down, but even in death the righteous seek refuge in God.

33Wisdom reposes in the heart of the discerning and even among fools she lets herself be known. Hebrew; Septuagint and Syriac discerning / but in the heart of fools she is not known

34Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin condemns any people. 35A king delights in a wise servant, but a shameful servant arouses his fury.

1A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.

2The tongue of the wise adorns knowledge, but the mouth of the fool gushes folly.

3The eyes of the LORD are everywhere, keeping watch on the wicked and the good.

4The soothing tongue is a tree of life, but a perverse tongue crushes the spirit.

5A fool spurns a parent’s discipline, but whoever heeds correction shows prudence.

6The house of the righteous contains great treasure, but the income of the wicked brings ruin.

7The lips of the wise spread knowledge, but the hearts of fools are not upright.

8The LORD detests the sacrifice of the wicked, but the prayer of the upright pleases him.

9The LORD detests the way of the wicked, but he loves those who pursue righteousness.

10Stern discipline awaits anyone who leaves the path; the one who hates correction will die.

11Death and Destruction Hebrew Abaddon lie open before the LORD — how much more do human hearts!

12Mockers resent correction, so they avoid the wise.

13A happy heart makes the face cheerful, but heartache crushes the spirit.

14The discerning heart seeks knowledge, but the mouth of a fool feeds on folly.

15All the days of the oppressed are wretched, but the cheerful heart has a continual feast.

16Better a little with the fear of the LORD than great wealth with turmoil.

17Better a small serving of vegetables with love than a fattened calf with hatred.

18A hot-tempered person stirs up conflict, but the one who is patient calms a quarrel.

19The way of the sluggard is blocked with thorns, but the path of the upright is a highway.

20A wise son brings joy to his father, but a foolish man despises his mother.

21Folly brings joy to one who has no sense, but whoever has understanding keeps a straight course.

22Plans fail for lack of counsel, but with many advisers they succeed.

23A person finds joy in giving an apt reply— and how good is a timely word!

24The path of life leads upward for the prudent to keep them from going down to the realm of the dead.

25The LORD tears down the house of the proud, but he sets the widow’s boundary stones in place.

26The LORD detests the thoughts of the wicked, but gracious words are pure in his sight.

27The greedy bring ruin to their households, but the one who hates bribes will live.

28The heart of the righteous weighs its answers, but the mouth of the wicked gushes evil.

29The LORD is far from the wicked, but he hears the prayer of the righteous.

30Light in a messenger’s eyes brings joy to the heart, and good news gives health to the bones.

31Whoever heeds life-giving correction will be at home among the wise.

32Those who disregard discipline despise themselves, but the one who heeds correction gains understanding. 33Wisdom’s instruction is to fear the LORD, and humility comes before honor.

1To humans belong the plans of the heart, but from the LORD comes the proper answer of the tongue.

2All a person’s ways seem pure to them, but motives are weighed by the LORD .

3Commit to the LORD whatever you do, and he will establish your plans.