Proverbs 15:1-33 ERV

[1] A gentle answer makes anger disappear, but a rough answer makes it grow. [2] Listening to wise people increases your knowledge, but only nonsense comes from the mouths of fools. [3] The LORD sees what happens everywhere. He watches everyone, good and evil. [4] Kind words are like a life-giving tree, but lying words will crush your spirit. [5] Fools refuse to listen to their father's advice, but those who accept discipline are smart. [6] Good people are rich in many ways, but those who are evil get nothing but trouble. [7] Wise people say things that give you new knowledge, but fools say nothing worth hearing. [8] The LORD hates the offerings of the wicked, but he is happy to hear the prayers of those who live right. [9] The LORD hates the way evil people live, but he loves those who try to do good. [10] Whoever stops living right will be punished. Whoever hates to be corrected will be destroyed. [11] The LORD knows everything, even what happens in the place of death. So surely he knows what people are thinking. [12] Fools hate to be told they are wrong, so they refuse to ask wise people for advice. [13] If you are happy, your face shows it. If you are sad, your spirit feels defeated. [14] Intelligent people want more knowledge, but fools only want more nonsense. [15] Life is always hard for the poor, but the right attitude can turn it into a party. [16] It is better to be poor and respect the LORD than to be rich and have many troubles. [17] It is better to eat a little where there is love than to eat a lot where there is hate. [18] A quick temper causes fights, but patience brings peace and calm. [19] For lazy people, life is a path overgrown with thorns and thistles. For those who do what is right, it is a smooth highway. [20] Wise children make their parents happy. Foolish children bring them shame. [21] Doing foolish things makes a fool happy, but a wise person is careful to do what is right. [22] If you don't ask for advice, your plans will fail. With many advisors, they will succeed. [23] People are happy when they give a good answer. And there is nothing better than the right word at the right time. [24] What wise people do leads to life here on earth and stops them from going down to the place of death. [25] The LORD destroys a proud man's house but protects a widow's property. [26] The LORD hates evil thoughts, but he is pleased with kind words. [27] Whoever takes money to do wrong invites disaster. Refuse such gifts, and you will live. [28] Good people think before they answer, but the wicked do not, and what they say causes trouble. [29] The LORD is far away from the wicked, but he always hears the prayers of those who do what is right. [30] A smile makes people happy. Good news makes them feel better. [31] To be counted among the wise, you must learn to accept helpful criticism. [32] If you refuse to be corrected, you are only hurting yourself. Listen to criticism, and you will gain understanding. [33] Wisdom teaches you to respect the LORD. You must be humbled before you can be honored.