Proverbs 15-18
New International Reader's Version
15 A gentle answer turns anger away.
But mean words stir up anger.
2 The tongues of wise people use knowledge well.
But the mouths of foolish people pour out foolish words.
3 The eyes of the Lord are everywhere.
They watch those who are evil and those who are good.
4 A tongue that calms is like a tree of life.
But a tongue that tells lies produces a broken spirit.
5 A foolish person turns their back on their parent’s correction.
But anyone who accepts correction shows understanding.
6 The houses of those who do what is right hold great wealth.
But those who do what is wrong earn only ruin.
7 The lips of wise people spread knowledge.
But the hearts of foolish people are not honest.
8 The Lord hates the sacrifice of sinful people.
But the prayers of honest people please him.
9 The Lord hates how sinners live.
But he loves those who run after what is right.
10 Hard training is in store for anyone who leaves the right path.
A person who hates to be corrected will die.
11 Death and the Grave lie open in front of the Lord.
So human hearts certainly lie open to him!
12 People who make fun of others don’t like to be corrected.
So they stay away from wise people.
13 A happy heart makes a face look cheerful.
But a sad heart produces a broken spirit.
14 A heart that understands what is right looks for knowledge.
But the mouths of foolish people feed on what is foolish.
15 All the days of those who are crushed are filled with pain and suffering.
But a cheerful heart enjoys a good time that never ends.
16 It is better to have respect for the Lord and have little
than to be rich and have trouble.
17 A few vegetables where there is love
are better than the finest meat where there is hatred.
18 A person with a bad temper stirs up conflict.
But a person who is patient calms things down.
19 The way of people who don’t want to work is blocked with thorns.
But the path of honest people is a wide road.
20 A wise son makes his father glad.
But a foolish son hates his mother.
21 A person who has no sense enjoys doing foolish things.
But a person who has understanding walks straight ahead.
22 Plans fail without good advice.
But they succeed when there are many advisers.
23 Joy is found in giving the right answer.
And how good is a word spoken at the right time!
24 The path of life leads up for those who are wise.
It keeps them from going down to the place of the dead.
25 The Lord tears down the proud person’s house.
But he keeps the widow’s property safe.
26 The Lord hates the thoughts of sinful people.
But he considers kind words to be pure.
27 Those who always want more bring ruin to their households.
But a person who refuses to be paid to lie will live.
28 The hearts of those who do right think about how they will answer.
But the mouths of those who do wrong pour out evil.
29 The Lord is far away from those who do wrong.
But he hears the prayers of those who do right.
30 The cheerful look of a messenger brings joy to your heart.
And good news gives health to your body.
31 Whoever listens to a warning that gives life
will be at home among those who are wise.
32 Those who turn away from correction hate themselves.
But anyone who accepts correction gains understanding.
33 Wisdom teaches you to have respect for the Lord.
So don’t be proud if you want to be honored.
16 People make plans in their hearts.
But the Lord puts the correct answer on their tongues.
2 Everything a person does might seem pure to them.
But the Lord knows why they do what they do.
3 Commit to the Lord everything you do.
Then he will make your plans succeed.
4 The Lord works everything out to the proper end.
Even those who do wrong were made for a day of trouble.
5 The Lord hates all those who have proud hearts.
You can be sure that they will be punished.
6 Through love and truth sin is paid for.
People avoid evil when they have respect for the Lord.
7 When the way you live pleases the Lord,
he makes even your enemies live at peace with you.
8 It is better to have a little and do right
than to have a lot and be unfair.
9 In their hearts human beings plan their lives.
But the Lord decides where their steps will take them.
10 A king speaks as if his words come from God.
And what he says does not turn right into wrong.
11 Honest scales and balances belong to the Lord.
He made all the weights in the bag.
12 A king hates it when his people do what is wrong.
A ruler is made secure when they do what is right.
13 Kings are pleased when what you say is honest.
They value people who speak what is right.
14 An angry king can order your death.
But a wise person will try to calm him down.
15 When a king’s face is happy, it means life.
His favor is like rain in the spring.
16 It is much better to get wisdom than gold.
It is much better to choose understanding than silver.
17 The path of honest people takes them away from evil.
Those who guard their ways guard their lives.
18 If you are proud, you will be destroyed.
If you are proud, you will fall.
19 Suppose you are lowly in spirit along with those who are treated badly.
That’s better than sharing stolen goods with those who are proud.
20 If anyone pays attention to what they’re taught, they will succeed.
Blessed is the person who trusts in the Lord.
21 Wise hearts are known for understanding what is right.
Kind words make people want to learn more.
22 Understanding is like a fountain of life to those who have it.
But foolish people are punished for the foolish things they do.
23 The hearts of wise people guide their mouths.
Their words make people want to learn more.
24 Kind words are like honey.
They are sweet to the spirit and bring healing to the body.
25 There is a way that appears to be right.
But in the end it leads to death.
26 The hunger of workers makes them work.
Their hunger drives them on.
27 A worthless person plans to do evil things.
Their words are like a burning fire.
28 A twisted person stirs up conflict.
Anyone who talks about others separates close friends.
29 A person who wants to hurt others tries to get them to sin.
That person leads them down a path that isn’t good.
30 Whoever winks with their eye is planning to do wrong.
Whoever closes their lips tightly is up to no good.
31 Gray hair is a glorious crown.
You get it by living the right way.
32 It is better to be patient than to fight.
It is better to control your temper than to take a city.
33 Lots are cast into the lap to make decisions.
But everything they decide comes from the Lord.
17 It is better to eat a dry crust of bread in peace and quiet
than to eat a big dinner in a house full of fighting.
2 A wise servant will rule over a shameful child.
He will be given part of the property as if he were a family member.
3 Fire tests silver, and heat tests gold.
But the Lord tests our hearts.
4 Evil people listen to lies.
Lying people listen to evil.
5 Anyone who laughs at those who are poor makes fun of their Maker.
Anyone who is happy when others suffer will be punished.
6 Grandchildren are like a crown to older people.
And children are proud of their parents.
7 Fancy words don’t belong in the mouths of ungodly fools.
And lies certainly don’t belong in the mouths of rulers!
8 Those who give money think it will buy them favors.
They think that no matter where they turn, they will succeed.
9 Whoever wants to show love forgives a wrong.
But those who talk about it separate close friends.
10 A person who understands what is right learns more from just a warning
than a foolish person learns from 100 strokes with a whip.
11 An evil person tries to keep others from obeying God.
The messenger of death will be sent against them.
12 It is better to meet a bear whose cubs have been stolen
than to meet a foolish person who is acting foolishly.
13 Evil will never leave the house
of anyone who pays back evil for good.
14 Starting to argue is like making a crack in a dam.
So drop the matter before a fight breaks out.
15 The Lord hates two things.
He hates it when the guilty are set free.
He also hates it when those who aren’t guilty are punished.
16 Why should a foolish person try to buy wisdom?
They are not even able to understand it.
17 A friend loves at all times.
They are there to help when trouble comes.
18 A person who has no sense agrees to pay what other people owe.
It isn’t wise to promise to pay other people’s bills.
19 The one who loves to argue loves to sin.
The one who builds a high gate is just asking to be destroyed.
20 If your heart is twisted, you won’t succeed.
If your tongue tells lies, you will get into trouble.
21 It is sad to have a foolish child.
The parents of a godless fool have no joy.
22 A cheerful heart makes you healthy.
But a broken spirit dries you up.
23 Anyone who does wrong accepts favors in secret.
Then they turn what is right into what is wrong.
24 Anyone who understands what is right keeps wisdom in view.
But the eyes of a foolish person look everywhere else.
25 A foolish child makes his father sad
and his mother sorry.
26 It isn’t good to fine those who aren’t guilty.
So it certainly isn’t good to whip officials just because they are honest.
27 Anyone who has knowledge controls their words.
Anyone who has understanding is not easily upset.
28 We think even foolish people are wise if they keep silent.
We think they understand what is right if they control their tongues.
18 A person who isn’t friendly looks out only for themselves.
They oppose all good sense by starting fights.
2 Foolish people don’t want to understand.
They take delight in saying only what they think.
3 People hate it when evil comes.
And they refuse to honor those who bring shame.
4 The words of a person’s mouth are like deep water.
But the fountain of wisdom is like a flowing stream.
5 It isn’t good to favor those who do wrong.
That would keep justice from those who aren’t guilty.
6 What foolish people say leads to arguing.
They are just asking for a beating.
7 The words of foolish people drag them down.
They are trapped by what they say.
8 The words of anyone who talks about others are like tasty bites of food.
They go deep down inside you.
9 Anyone who doesn’t want to work
is like someone who destroys.
10 The name of the Lord is like a strong tower.
Godly people run to it and are safe.
11 The wealth of rich people is like a city that makes them feel safe.
They think of it as a city with walls that can’t be climbed.
12 If a person’s heart is proud, they will be destroyed.
So don’t be proud if you want to be honored.
13 To answer before listening
is foolish and shameful.
14 A cheerful spirit gives strength even during sickness.
But you can’t keep going if you have a broken spirit.
15 Those whose hearts understand what is right get knowledge.
That’s because the ears of those who are wise listen for it.
16 A gift opens the door
and helps the giver meet important people.
17 In court, the first one to speak seems right.
Then someone else comes forward and questions him.
18 Casting lots will put a stop to arguing.
It will keep the strongest enemies apart.
19 A broken friendship is harder to handle than a city with high walls around it.
And arguing is like the locked gates of a mighty city.
20 Because of what they say a person can fill their stomach.
What their words produce can satisfy them.
21 Your tongue has the power of life and death.
Those who love to talk will eat the fruit of their words.
22 The one who finds a wife finds what is good.
He receives favor from the Lord.
23 Poor people beg for mercy.
But rich people answer in a mean way.
24 A person with unfaithful friends soon comes to ruin.
But there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.
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