THE SCRIPTURE

Proverbs 15:1-20
[1]A gentle answer deflects anger, but harsh words make tempers flare.
[2]The tongue of the wise makes knowledge appealing, but the mouth of a fool belches out foolishness.
[3]The lord is watching everywhere, keeping his eye on both the evil and the good.
[4]Gentle words are a tree of life; a deceitful tongue crushes the spirit.
[5]Only a fool despises a parent’s discipline; whoever learns from correction is wise.
[6]There is treasure in the house of the godly, but the earnings of the wicked bring trouble.
[7]The lips of the wise give good advice; the heart of a fool has none to give.
[8]The lord detests the sacrifice of the wicked, but he delights in the prayers of the upright.
[9]The lord detests the way of the wicked, but he loves those who pursue godliness.
[10]Whoever abandons the right path will be severely disciplined; whoever hates correction will die.
[11]Even Death and Destruction hold no secrets from the lord. How much more does he know the human heart!
[12]Mockers hate to be corrected, so they stay away from the wise.
[13]A glad heart makes a happy face; a broken heart crushes the spirit.
[14]A wise person is hungry for knowledge, while the fool feeds on trash.
[15]For the despondent, every day brings trouble; for the happy heart, life is a continual feast.
[16]Better to have little, with fear for the lord, than to have great treasure and inner turmoil.
[17]A bowl of vegetables with someone you love is better than steak with someone you hate.
[18]A hot-tempered person starts fights; a cool-tempered person stops them.
[19]A lazy person’s way is blocked with briers, but the path of the upright is an open highway.
[20]Sensible children bring joy to their father; foolish children despise their mother.