Proverbs 15

15 <1> A gentle answer makes anger disappear, but a rough answer makes it grow.

<2> Listening to wise people increases your knowledge, but only nonsense comes from the mouths of fools.

<3> The Lord sees what happens everywhere. He watches everyone, good and evil.

<4> Kind words are like a life-giving tree, but lying words will crush your spirit.

<5> Fools refuse to listen to their father's advice, but those who accept discipline are smart.

<6> Good people are rich in many ways, but those who are evil get nothing but trouble.

<7> Wise people say things that give you new knowledge, but fools say nothing worth hearing.

<8> The Lord hates the offerings of the wicked, but he is happy to hear the prayers of those who live right.

<9> The Lord hates the way evil people live, but he loves those who try to do good.

<10> Whoever stops living right will be punished. Whoever hates to be corrected will be destroyed.

<11> The Lord knows everything, even what happens in the place of death. So surely he knows what people are thinking.

<12> Fools hate to be told they are wrong, so they refuse to ask wise people for advice.

<13> If you are happy, your face shows it. If you are sad, your spirit feels defeated.

<14> Intelligent people want more knowledge, but fools only want more nonsense.

<15> Life is always hard for the poor, but the right attitude can turn it into a party.

<16> It is better to be poor and respect the Lord than to be rich and have many troubles.

<17> It is better to eat a little where there is love than to eat a lot where there is hate.

<18> A quick temper causes fights, but patience brings peace and calm.

<19> For lazy people, life is a path overgrown with thorns and thistles. For those who do what is right, it is a smooth highway.

<20> Wise children make their parents happy. Foolish children bring them shame.

<21> Doing foolish things makes a fool happy, but a wise person is careful to do what is right.

<22> If you don't ask for advice, your plans will fail. With many advisors, they will succeed.

<23> People are happy when they give a good answer. And there is nothing better than the right word at the right time.

<24> What wise people do leads to life here on earth[38] and stops them from going down to the place of death.

<25> The Lord destroys a proud man's house but protects a widow's property.

<26> The Lord hates evil thoughts, but he is pleased with kind words.

<27> Whoever takes money to do wrong invites disaster. Refuse such gifts, and you will live.

<28> Good people think before they answer, but the wicked do not, and what they say causes trouble.

<29> The Lord is far away from the wicked, but he always hears the prayers of those who do what is right.

<30> A smile[39] makes people happy. Good news makes them feel better.

<31> To be counted among the wise, you must learn to accept helpful criticism.

<32> If you refuse to be corrected, you are only hurting yourself. Listen to criticism, and you will gain understanding.

<33> Wisdom teaches you to respect the Lord. You must be humbled before you can be honored.