Study

15. Proverbs of Solomon

    ² The tongue of the wise adorns 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 soothing tongue is a tree of life,
   but a perverse tongue crushes the spirit.

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

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

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

    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 anyone who leaves the path;
   the one who hates correction will die.

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

    ¹² Mockers resent correction,
   so they avoid 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 small serving of vegetables with love
   than a fattened calf with hatred.

    ¹⁸ A hot-tempered person stirs up conflict,
   but the one who is patient 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 brings joy to one who has no sense,
   but whoever has understanding keeps a straight course.

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

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

    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,
   but he sets the widow’s boundary stones in place.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

    ³³ Wisdom’s instruction is to fear the LORD,
   and humility comes before honor.