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15 If you answer people in a kind way, it stops them being angry.
    But if you say cruel things, it makes people angry.
When wise people speak, they show that knowledge is good.
    But when fools speak, they only say foolish things.
The Lord sees what happens everywhere.
    He is watching what evil people do, and good people too.
Kind words are like the fruit of a tree that gives life.
    But words that are not honest make people sad and weak.
A fool hates his father's rules.
    But a wise child learns when his father warns him.
Righteous people have many valuable things in their homes.
    But the riches of wicked people bring trouble to them.
When wise people speak, they give knowledge,
    but the minds of fools have nothing to give.
When wicked people offer sacrifices to the Lord, he hates it.
    But he is pleased when good people pray to him.
The Lord hates the way that wicked people live.
    But he loves people who want to do what is right.
10 If you leave God's way, you will receive strong punishment.
    When people warn you, accept it or you will die.
11 The Lord sees clearly into the deep hole of death.
    So you can be sure that he knows people's secret thoughts.
12 Proud people do not like it when someone warns them.
    They will not ask wise people to give them advice.
13 When someone is happy, their face smiles.
    But when someone is sad, their spirit hurts.
14 Wise people want to learn more.
    But fools only want to know useless things.
15 Every day is difficult, if you have trouble in your mind.
    But if you are happy, every day is like a feast.
16 You may be poor, but you respect and obey the Lord.
    That is better than if you are very rich, but you have a lot of trouble.
17 It is better to eat vegetables with people who love each other
    than to eat good meat with people who hate each other.
18 Angry people bring quarrels,
    but patient people bring peace.
19 A lazy person always has problems,
    as if he is walking through thorn bushes.
But an honest person walks on a straight road through life.
20 A wise child makes his father happy.
    But a foolish person does not respect his mother.
21 Stupid people are happy when they do foolish things.
    But wise people walk on a straight path.
22 Without good advice, your ideas will never happen.
    But you will do well if you have many advisors.
23 It makes you happy when you give a good answer to a question.
    It is good when you find the right thing to say at the right time.
24 A wise person walks on a path that leads him up to a long life.
    He keeps away from the path that would lead him down to death.
25 The Lord destroys the homes of proud men.
    But he keeps the land of widows safe.
26 The Lord hates the thoughts of wicked people.
    But kind words please him.
27 Anyone who cheats people to become rich
    will cause trouble for his family.
But anyone who refuses to accept bribes
    will live safely.
28 Righteous people think carefully before they answer someone.
    But when wicked people speak, the result is only trouble.
29 The Lord does not answer the prayers of wicked people.
    But when righteous people pray, he listens.
30 If someone smiles at you, it makes you happy.
    Good news makes you feel strong.
31 If anyone accepts teaching that helps him to live in a good way,
    he becomes a friend of wise people.
32 If you refuse to accept it when people warn you,
    you are hurting yourself.
But if you agree to listen,
    you will learn to do what is right.
33 If you respect and obey the Lord,
    that will teach you wisdom.
If you want to receive honour,
    first learn to be humble.

15 A gentle answer(A) turns away wrath,(B)
    but a harsh word stirs up anger.

The tongue of the wise adorns knowledge,(C)
    but the mouth of the fool gushes folly.(D)

The eyes(E) of the Lord are everywhere,(F)
    keeping watch on the wicked and the good.(G)

The soothing tongue(H) is a tree of life,(I)
    but a perverse tongue crushes the spirit.(J)

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

The house of the righteous contains great treasure,(L)
    but the income of the wicked brings ruin.(M)

The lips of the wise spread knowledge,(N)
    but the hearts of fools are not upright.

The Lord detests the sacrifice(O) of the wicked,(P)
    but the prayer of the upright pleases him.(Q)

The Lord detests the way of the wicked,(R)
    but he loves those who pursue righteousness.(S)

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

11 Death and Destruction[a] lie open before the Lord(U)
    how much more do human hearts!(V)

12 Mockers resent correction,(W)
    so they avoid the wise.

13 A happy heart makes the face cheerful,(X)
    but heartache crushes the spirit.(Y)

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

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

16 Better a little with the fear of the Lord
    than great wealth with turmoil.(AB)

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

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

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

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

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

22 Plans fail for lack of counsel,(AI)
    but with many advisers(AJ) they succeed.(AK)

23 A person finds joy in giving an apt reply(AL)
    and how good is a timely word!(AM)

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

25 The Lord tears down the house of the proud,(AN)
    but he sets the widow’s boundary stones in place.(AO)

26 The Lord detests the thoughts(AP) of the wicked,(AQ)
    but gracious words are pure(AR) in his sight.

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

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

29 The Lord is far from the wicked,
    but he hears the prayer of the righteous.(AV)

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

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

32 Those who disregard discipline despise themselves,(AY)
    but the one who heeds correction gains understanding.(AZ)

33 Wisdom’s instruction is to fear the Lord,(BA)
    and humility comes before honor.(BB)

Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 15:11 Hebrew Abaddon