Proverbs 15

The Proverbs of Solomon

1 d A soft answer turns away wrath,
but e a harsh word stirs up anger.
 2 The tongue of the wise commends knowledge,
but f the mouths of fools pour out folly.
 3 g The eyes of the Lord are in every place,
keeping watch on the evil and the good.
 4 h A gentle 1 tongue is i a tree of life,
but j perverseness in it breaks the spirit.
 5 k A fool l despises his father's instruction,
but m whoever heeds reproof is prudent.
 6 In the house of the righteous there is much treasure,
but trouble befalls the income of the wicked.
 7 n The lips of the wise spread knowledge;
n not so the hearts of fools. 2
8 o The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination to the Lord,
but p the prayer of the upright is acceptable to him.
 9 The way of the wicked is an abomination to the Lord,
but he loves him q who pursues righteousness.
 10 There is r severe discipline for him who forsakes the way;
s whoever hates reproof will die.
 11 Sheol and Abaddon lie open before the Lord;
how much more t the hearts of the children of man!
 12 u A scoffer v does not like to be reproved;
he will not go to the wise.
 13 w A glad heart makes a cheerful face,
but by x sorrow of heart the spirit is y crushed.
 14 z The heart of him who has understanding seeks knowledge,
but the mouths of fools feed on folly.
 15 All the days of the afflicted are evil,
but a the cheerful of heart has a continual feast.
 16 b Better is a little with the fear of the Lord
than great treasure and trouble with it.
 17 c Better is a dinner of herbs where love is
than d a fattened ox and hatred with it.
 18 e A hot-tempered man f stirs up strife,
but he who is g slow to anger quiets contention.
 19 The way of h a sluggard is like a hedge of i thorns,
but the path of the upright is j a level highway.
 20 k A wise son makes a glad father,
but a foolish man despises his mother.
 21 l Folly is a joy to him who lacks sense,
but a man of understanding m walks straight ahead.
 22 n Without counsel plans fail,
but with many advisers they succeed.
 23 To make an apt answer is a joy to a man,
and o a word in season, how good it is!
 24 The path of life leads upward p for the prudent,
that he may turn away from Sheol beneath.
 25 The Lord tears down the house of q the proud
but r maintains s the widow's boundaries.
 26 t The thoughts of the wicked are an abomination to the Lord,
but u gracious words are pure.
 27 Whoever is v greedy for unjust gain w troubles his own household,
but he who hates x bribes will live.
 28 The heart of the righteous y ponders how to answer,
but z the mouth of the wicked pours out evil things.
 29 The Lord is a far from the wicked,
but he b hears the prayer of the righteous.
 30 c The light of the eyes rejoices the heart,
and d good news refreshes 3 the bones.
 31 e The ear that listens to f life-giving reproof
will dwell among the wise.
 32 Whoever g ignores instruction h despises himself,
but he who listens to reproof i gains intelligence.
 33 j The fear of the Lord is instruction in wisdom,
and k humility comes before honor.

  1. Cross References
    Proverbs 25:15
    With patience a ruler may be persuaded, and a soft tongue will break a bone.
    Judges 8:1 - 3
    Then the men of Ephraim said to him, "What is this that you have done to us, not to call us when you went to fight against Midian?" And they accused him fiercely.
  2. Cross References
    1 Samuel 25:10 - 13
    And Nabal answered David's servants, "Who is David? Who is the son of Jesse? There are many servants these days who are breaking away from their masters.
    1 Kings 12:13 - 16
    And the king answered the people harshly, and forsaking the counsel that the old men had given him.
  3. Cross References
    Proverbs 15:28
    The heart of the righteous ponders how to answer, but the mouth of the wicked pours out evil things.
    Proverbs 12:23
    A prudent man conceals knowledge, but the heart of fools proclaims folly.
    Proverbs 13:16
    In everything the prudent acts with knowledge, but a fool flaunts his folly.
    Proverbs 18:2
    A fool takes no pleasure in understanding, but only in expressing his opinion.
  4. Cross References
    Job 31:4
    Does not he see my ways and number all my steps?
  5. Cross References
    Proverbs 12:18
    There is one whose rash words are like sword thrusts, but the tongue of the wise brings healing.
  6. Cross References
    Proverbs 3:18
    She is a tree of life to those who lay hold of her; those who hold her fast are called blessed.
  7. Cross References
    Proverbs 11:3
    The integrity of the upright guides them, but the crookedness of the treacherous destroys them.
  8. Cross References
    Proverbs 10:1
    The proverbs of Solomon. A wise son makes a glad father, but a foolish son is a sorrow to his mother.
  9. Cross References
    Psalms 107:11
    For they had rebelled against the words of God, and spurned the counsel of the Most High.
  10. Cross References
    Proverbs 13:18
    Poverty and disgrace come to him who ignores instruction, but whoever heeds reproof is honored.
  11. Cross References
    Matthew 12:34 - 35
    You brood of vipers! How can you speak good, when you are evil? For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks.
  12. Cross References
    Matthew 12:34 - 35
    You brood of vipers! How can you speak good, when you are evil? For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks.
  13. Cross References
    Proverbs 21:27
    The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination; how much more when he brings it with evil intent.
    Ecclesiastes 5:1
    Guard your steps when you go to the house of God. To draw near to listen is better than to offer the sacrifice of fools, for they do not know that they are doing evil.
    Isaiah 1:11
    What to me is the multitude of your sacrifices? says the Lord ; I have had enough of burnt offerings of rams and the fat of well-fed beasts; I do not delight in the blood of bulls, or of lambs, or of goats.
    Isaiah 1:15
    When you spread out your hands, I will hide my eyes from you; even though you make many prayers, I will not listen; your hands are full of blood.
  14. Cross References
    Proverbs 15:29
    The Lord is far from the wicked, but he hears the prayer of the righteous.
  15. Cross References
    Proverbs 21:21
    Whoever pursues righteousness and kindness will find life, righteousness, and honor.
    1 Timothy 6:11
    But as for you, O man of God, flee these things. Pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, steadfastness, gentleness.
    Proverbs 11:19
    Whoever is steadfast in righteousness will live, but he who pursues evil will die.
  16. Cross References
    Isaiah 1:5
    Why will you still be struck down? Why will you continue to rebel? The whole head is sick, and the whole heart faint.
  17. Cross References
    Proverbs 12:1
    Whoever loves discipline loves knowledge, but he who hates reproof is stupid.
  18. Cross References
    2 Chronicles 6:30
    Then hear from heaven your dwelling place and forgive and render to each whose heart you know, according to all his ways, for you, you only, know the hearts of the children of mankind.
    Psalms 44:21
    Would not God discover this? For he knows the secrets of the heart.
    John 2:24
    But Jesus on his part did not entrust himself to them, because he knew all people
    1 Samuel 16:7
    But the Lord said to Samuel, "Do not look on his appearance or on the height of his stature, because I have rejected him. For the Lord sees not as man sees: man looks on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart.
  19. Cross References
    Psalms 1:1
    Book One Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of scoffers.
  20. Cross References
    Amos 5:10
    They hate him who reproves in the gate, and they abhor him who speaks the truth.
  21. Cross References
    Proverbs 15:15
    All the days of the afflicted are evil, but the cheerful of heart has a continual feast.
    Proverbs 17:22
    A joyful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.
  22. Cross References
    Proverbs 12:25
    Anxiety in a man's heart weighs him down, but a good word makes him glad.
  23. Cross References
    Proverbs 18:14
    A man's spirit will endure sickness, but a crushed spirit who can bear?
  24. Cross References
    Proverbs 14:6
    A scoffer seeks wisdom in vain, but knowledge is easy for a man of understanding.
    Proverbs 19:24
    The sluggard buries his hand in the dish and will not even bring it back to his mouth.
  25. Cross References
    Proverbs 15:13
    A glad heart makes a cheerful face, but by sorrow of heart the spirit is crushed.
  26. Cross References
    Proverbs 16:8
    Better is a little with righteousness than great revenues with injustice.
    Psalms 37:16
    Better is the little that the righteous has than the abundance of many wicked.
    1 Timothy 6:6
    Now there is great gain in godliness with contentment.
  27. Cross References
    Proverbs 17:1
    Better is a dry morsel with quiet than a house full of feasting with strife.
  28. Cross References
    Matthew 22:4
    Again he sent other servants, saying, 'Tell those who are invited, See, I have prepared my dinner, my oxen and my fat calves have been slaughtered, and everything is ready. Come to the wedding feast.
    Luke 15:23
    And bring the fattened calf and kill it, and let us eat and celebrate.
  29. Cross References
    Proverbs 29:22
    A man of wrath stirs up strife, and one given to anger causes much transgression.
    Proverbs 16:28
    A dishonest man spreads strife, and a whisperer separates close friends.
    Proverbs 26:21
    As charcoal to hot embers and wood to fire, so is a quarrelsome man for kindling strife.
  30. Cross References
    Proverbs 28:25
    A greedy man stirs up strife, but the one who trusts in the Lord will be enriched.
  31. Cross References
    Proverbs 14:29
    Whoever is slow to anger has great understanding, but he who has a hasty temper exalts folly.
  32. Cross References
    Proverbs 19:24
    The sluggard buries his hand in the dish and will not even bring it back to his mouth.
    Proverbs 22:13
    The sluggard says, "There is a lion outside! I shall be killed in the streets!
  33. Cross References
    Proverbs 22:5
    Thorns and snares are in the way of the crooked; whoever guards his soul will keep far from them.
  34. Cross References
    Jeremiah 18:15
    But my people have forgotten me; they make offerings to false gods; they made them stumble in their ways, in the ancient roads, and to walk into side roads, not the highway.
  35. Cross References
    Proverbs 29:3
    He who loves wisdom makes his father glad, but a companion of prostitutes squanders his wealth.
  36. Cross References
    Proverbs 10:23
    Doing wrong is like a joke to a fool, but wisdom is pleasure to a man of understanding.
  37. Cross References
    Ephesians 5:15
    Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise.
  38. Cross References
    Proverbs 11:14
    Where there is no guidance, a people falls, but in an abundance of counselors there is safety.
    Proverbs 20:18
    Plans are established by counsel; by wise guidance wage war.
  39. Cross References
    Proverbs 25:11
    A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in a setting of silver.
    Isaiah 50:4
    The Lord God has given me the tongue of those who are taught, that I may know how to sustain with a word him who is weary. Morning by morning he awakens; he awakens my ear to hear as those who are taught.
  40. Cross References
    Colossians 3:1 - 2
    If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God.
    Proverbs 2:18 - 19
    For her house sinks down to death, and her paths to the departed.
    Philippians 3:20
    But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ.
  41. Cross References
    Proverbs 29:23
    One's pride will bring him low, but he who is lowly in spirit will obtain honor.
  42. Cross References
    Proverbs 23:10
    Do not move an ancient landmark or enter the fields of the fatherless.
  43. Cross References
    Psalms 68:5
    Father of the fatherless and protector of widows is God in his holy habitation.
    Psalms 146:9
    The Lord watches over the sojourners; he upholds the widow and the fatherless, but the way of the wicked he brings to ruin.
  44. Cross References
    Proverbs 6:16
    There are six things that the Lord hates, seven that are an abomination to him:
    Proverbs 6:18
    A heart that devises wicked plans, feet that make haste to run to evil.
  45. Cross References
    Proverbs 16:24
    Gracious words are like a honeycomb, sweetness to the soul and health to the body.
  46. Cross References
    Proverbs 1:19
    Such are the ways of everyone who is greedy for unjust gain; it takes away the life of its possessors.
    Isaiah 5:8
    Woe to those who join house to house, who add field to field, until there is no more room, and you are made to dwell alone in the midst of the land.
    Jeremiah 17:11
    Like the partridge that gathers a brood that she did not hatch, so is he who gets riches but not by justice; in the midst of his days they will leave him, and at his end he will be a fool.
  47. Cross References
    Proverbs 11:29
    Whoever troubles his own household will inherit the wind, and the fool will be servant to the wise of heart.
    Joshua 7:25
    And Joshua said, "Why did you bring trouble on us? The Lord brings trouble on you today." And all Israel stoned him with stones. They burned them with fire and stoned them with stones.
  48. Cross References
    Proverbs 17:23
    The wicked accepts a bribe in secret to pervert the ways of justice.
  49. Cross References
    Psalms 37:30
    The mouth of the righteous utters wisdom, and his tongue speaks justice.
  50. Cross References
    1 Peter 3:15
    But in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect.
    Proverbs 15:2
    The tongue of the wise commends knowledge, but the mouths of fools pour out folly.
  51. Cross References
    Psalms 18:41
    They cried for help, but there was none to save; they cried to the Lord, but he did not answer them.
    Psalms 34:16
    The face of the Lord is against those who do evil, to cut off the memory of them from the earth.
  52. Cross References
    Psalms 145:18 - 19
    The Lord is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth.
    Proverbs 15:8
    The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination to the Lord, but the prayer of the upright is acceptable to him.
  53. Cross References
    Psalms 38:10
    My heart throbs; my strength fails me, and the light of my eyes - it also has gone from me.
  54. Cross References
    Proverbs 25:25
    Like cold water to a thirsty soul, so is good news from a far country.
  55. Cross References
    Proverbs 15:5
    A fool despises his father's instruction, but whoever heeds reproof is prudent.
    Proverbs 20:12
    The hearing ear and the seeing eye, the Lord has made them both.
    Proverbs 25:12
    Like a gold ring or an ornament of gold is a wise reprover to a listening ear.
  56. Cross References
    Proverbs 6:23
    For the commandment is a lamp and the teaching a light, and the reproofs of discipline are the way of life.
  57. Cross References
    Proverbs 8:33
    Hear instruction and be wise, and do not neglect it.
  58. Cross References
    Proverbs 8:36
    But he who fails to find me injures himself; all who hate me love death.
  59. Cross References
    Proverbs 19:8
    Whoever gets sense loves his own soul; he who keeps understanding will discover good.
  60. Cross References
    Proverbs 1:7
    The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge; fools despise wisdom and instruction.
  61. Cross References
    Proverbs 18:12
    Before destruction a man's heart is haughty, but humility comes before honor.
English Standard Version (ESV) The Holy Bible, English Standard Version Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a division of Good News Publishers.
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