Proverbs 14:22-15:23 (NIV84)

²² Do not those who plot evil go astray?
But those who plan what is good find ^[a]love and faithfulness.

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

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

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

²⁶ He who fears the LORD has a secure fortress,
and for his children it will be a refuge.

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

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

²⁹ A patient man has great understanding,
but a quick-tempered man displays folly.

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

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

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

³³ Wisdom reposes in the heart of the discerning
and even among fools she lets herself be known. ^[b]

³⁴ Righteousness exalts a nation,
but sin is a disgrace to any people.

³⁵ A king delights in a wise servant,
but a shameful servant incurs his wrath.

Proverbs 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 the fool gushes folly.

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

⁴ The tongue that brings healing is a tree of life,
but a deceitful tongue crushes the spirit.

⁵ A fool spurns his father’s discipline,
but whoever heeds correction shows prudence.

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

⁷ The lips of the wise spread knowledge;
not so the hearts of fools.

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

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

¹⁰ Stern discipline awaits him who leaves the path;
he who hates correction will die.

¹¹ Death and Destruction ^[c] lie open before the LORD—
how much more the hearts of men!

¹² A mocker resents correction;
he will not consult the wise.

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

¹⁴ The discerning heart seeks knowledge,
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.

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

¹⁷ Better a meal of vegetables where there is love
than a fattened calf with hatred.

¹⁸ A hot-tempered man stirs up dissension,
but a patient man calms a quarrel.

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

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

²¹ Folly delights a man who lacks judgment,
but a man of understanding keeps a straight course.

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

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

Footnotes:

1. Proverbs 14:22 Or show
2. Proverbs 14:33 Hebrew; Septuagint and Syriac / but in the heart of fools she is not known
3. Proverbs 15:11 Hebrew Sheol and Abaddon