A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.
2 The tongue of the wise makes knowledge acceptable, but the mouth of fools spouts folly.
3 The eyes of the Lord are in every place, watching the evil and the good.
4 A soothing tongue is a tree of life, but perversion in it crushes the spirit.
5 A fool rejects his father’s discipline, but he who regards reproof is sensible.
6 Great wealth is in the house of the righteous, but trouble is in the income of the wicked.
7 The lips of the wise spread knowledge, but the hearts of fools are not so.
8 The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination to the Lord, but the prayer of the upright is His delight.
9 The way of the wicked is an abomination to the Lord, but He loves one who pursues righteousness.
10 Grievous punishment is for him who forsakes the way; he who hates reproof will die.
11 Sheol and Abaddon lie open before the Lord, how much more the hearts of men!
12 A scoffer does not love one who reproves him, he will not go to the wise.
13 A joyful heart makes a cheerful face, but when the heart is sad, the spirit is broken.
14 The mind of the intelligent seeks knowledge, but the mouth of fools feeds on folly.
15 All the days of the afflicted are bad, but a cheerful heart has a continual feast.
16 Better is a little with the fear of the Lord than great treasure and turmoil with it.
17 Better is a dish of vegetables where love is than a fattened ox served with hatred.
18 A hot-tempered man stirs up strife, but the slow to anger calms a dispute.
19 The way of the lazy is as a hedge of thorns, 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 him who lacks sense, but a man of understanding walks straight.
22 Without consultation, plans are frustrated, but with many counselors they succeed.
23 A man has joy in an apt answer, and how delightful is a timely word!
24 The path of life leads upward for the wise that he may keep away from Sheol below.
25 The Lord will tear down the house of the proud, but He will establish the boundary of the widow.
26 Evil plans are an abomination to the Lord, but pleasant words are pure.
27 He who profits illicitly troubles his own house, but he who hates bribes will live.
28 The heart of the righteous ponders how to answer, but the mouth of the wicked pours out evil things.
29 The Lord is far from the wicked, but He hears the prayer of the righteous.
30 Bright eyes gladden the heart; good news puts fat on the bones.
31 He whose ear listens to the life-giving reproof will dwell among the wise.
32 He who neglects discipline despises himself, but he who listens to reproof acquires understanding.
33 The fear of the Lord is the instruction for wisdom, and before honor comes humility.
2 The tongue of the wise makes knowledge acceptable, but the mouth of fools spouts folly.
3 The eyes of the Lord are in every place, watching the evil and the good.
4 A soothing tongue is a tree of life, but perversion in it crushes the spirit.
5 A fool rejects his father’s discipline, but he who regards reproof is sensible.
6 Great wealth is in the house of the righteous, but trouble is in the income of the wicked.
7 The lips of the wise spread knowledge, but the hearts of fools are not so.
8 The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination to the Lord, but the prayer of the upright is His delight.
9 The way of the wicked is an abomination to the Lord, but He loves one who pursues righteousness.
10 Grievous punishment is for him who forsakes the way; he who hates reproof will die.
11 Sheol and Abaddon lie open before the Lord, how much more the hearts of men!
12 A scoffer does not love one who reproves him, he will not go to the wise.
13 A joyful heart makes a cheerful face, but when the heart is sad, the spirit is broken.
14 The mind of the intelligent seeks knowledge, but the mouth of fools feeds on folly.
15 All the days of the afflicted are bad, but a cheerful heart has a continual feast.
16 Better is a little with the fear of the Lord than great treasure and turmoil with it.
17 Better is a dish of vegetables where love is than a fattened ox served with hatred.
18 A hot-tempered man stirs up strife, but the slow to anger calms a dispute.
19 The way of the lazy is as a hedge of thorns, 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 him who lacks sense, but a man of understanding walks straight.
22 Without consultation, plans are frustrated, but with many counselors they succeed.
23 A man has joy in an apt answer, and how delightful is a timely word!
24 The path of life leads upward for the wise that he may keep away from Sheol below.
25 The Lord will tear down the house of the proud, but He will establish the boundary of the widow.
26 Evil plans are an abomination to the Lord, but pleasant words are pure.
27 He who profits illicitly troubles his own house, but he who hates bribes will live.
28 The heart of the righteous ponders how to answer, but the mouth of the wicked pours out evil things.
29 The Lord is far from the wicked, but He hears the prayer of the righteous.
30 Bright eyes gladden the heart; good news puts fat on the bones.
31 He whose ear listens to the life-giving reproof will dwell among the wise.
32 He who neglects discipline despises himself, but he who listens to reproof acquires understanding.
33 The fear of the Lord is the instruction for wisdom, and before honor comes humility.
It is God's will:
- that we humbly fear the Lord and hear His instruction for wisdom (15:33)
- that we seek knowledge (15:14)
- that we are to spread knowledge (15:7)
- that we wisely explain knowledge so that it is understandable and acceptable (15:2)
- that we think before we speak (15:28)
- that we are sensible and listen to reproof (15:5)
- that we walk on God's path with understanding (15:21)
- that we pursue righteousness (15:9)
- the prayers of the righteous are heard (sin impedes our prayers) (15:29)
- the prayers of the upright delight the Lord (15:8)
Today's prayer:
Dear Lord Jesus, thank You for Your righteousness and wisdom, which You so graciously impart to us. Help us to realize when we have sinned, or when we are stuck in some rut of habitual sin, so that we may confess it to You, and if needed, make it right with others - so that You will hear our prayers without sin impeding them.
Keep us on Your path and guide us in knowledge, even if it involves discipline. Help us to know that it is for our own good, because You want us to have fulfilled lives. Give us understanding and clarity of mind, so that we may share Your knowledge succinctly when the opportunity presents itself.
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