15:1  A SOFT answer turns away wrath, but grievous words stir up anger.

15:2  The tongue of the wise utters knowledge rightly, but the mouth of the [self-confident] fool pours out folly.

15:3  The eyes of the Lord are in every place, keeping watch upon the evil and the good.

15:4  A gentle tongue [with its healing power] is a tree of life, but willful contrariness in it breaks down the spirit.

15:5  A fool despises his father's instruction {and} correction, but he who regards reproof acquires prudence.

15:6  In the house of the [uncompromisingly] righteous is great [priceless] treasure, but with the income of the wicked is trouble {and} vexation.

15:7  The lips of the wise disperse knowledge [sifting it as chaff from the grain]; not so the minds {and} hearts of the self-confident {and} foolish.

15:8  The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination, hateful {and} exceedingly offensive to the Lord, but the prayer of the upright is His delight!

15:9  The way of the wicked is an abomination, extremely disgusting {and} shamefully vile to the Lord, but He loves him who pursues righteousness (moral and spiritual rectitude in every area and relation).

15:10  There is severe discipline for him who forsakes God's way; and he who hates reproof will die [physically, morally, and spiritually].

15:11  Sheol (the place of the dead) and Abaddon (the abyss, the final place of the accuser Satan) are both before the Lord--how much more, then, the hearts of the children of men?

15:12  A scorner has no love for one who rebukes him; neither will he go to the wise [for counsel].

15:13  A glad heart makes a cheerful countenance, but by sorrow of heart the spirit is broken.

15:14  The mind of him who has understanding seeks knowledge and inquires after {and} craves it, but the mouth of the [self-confident] fool feeds on folly.

15:15  All the days of the desponding {and} afflicted are made evil [by anxious thoughts and forebodings], but he who has a glad heart has a continual feast [regardless of circumstances].

15:16  Better is little with the reverent, worshipful fear of the Lord than great {and} rich treasure and trouble with it.

15:17  Better is a dinner of herbs where love is than a fatted ox and hatred with it.

15:18  A hot-tempered man stirs up strife, but he who is slow to anger appeases contention.

15:19  The way of the sluggard is overgrown with thorns [it pricks, lacerates, and entangles him], but the way of the righteous is plain {and} raised like a highway.

15:20  A wise son makes a glad father, but a self-confident {and} foolish man despises his mother {and} puts her to shame.

15:21  Folly is pleasure to him who is without heart {and} sense, but a man of understanding walks uprightly [making straight his course].

15:22  Where there is no counsel, purposes are frustrated, but with many counselors they are accomplished.

15:23  A man has joy in making an apt answer, and a word spoken at the right moment--how good it is!

15:24  The path of the wise leads upward to life, that he may avoid [the gloom] in the depths of Sheol (Hades, the place of the dead).

15:25  The Lord tears down the house of the proud, but He makes secure the boundaries of the [consecrated] widow.

15:26  The thoughts of the wicked are shamefully vile {and} exceedingly offensive to the Lord, but the words of the pure are pleasing words to Him.

15:27  He who is greedy for unjust gain troubles his own household, but he who hates bribes will live.

15:28  The mind of the [uncompromisingly] righteous studies how to answer, but the mouth of the wicked pours out evil things.

15:29  The Lord is far from the wicked, but He hears the prayer of the [consistently] righteous (the upright, in right standing with Him).

15:30  The light in the eyes [of him whose heart is joyful] rejoices the hearts of others, and good news nourishes the bones.

15:31  The ear that listens to the reproof [that leads to or gives] life will remain among the wise.

15:32  He who refuses {and} ignores instruction {and} correction despises himself, but he who heeds reproof gets understanding.

15:33  The reverent {and} worshipful fear of the Lord brings instruction in Wisdom, and humility comes before honor.