Proverbs 15
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A a soft answer turns away wrath,
But b a harsh word stirs up anger.
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The tongue of the wise uses knowledge rightly,
c But the mouth of fools pours forth foolishness.
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d The eyes of the LORD are in every place,
Keeping watch on the evil and the good.
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A wholesome tongue is a tree of life,
But perverseness in it breaks the spirit.
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e A fool despises his father's instruction,
f But he who receives correction is prudent.
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In the house of the righteous there is much treasure,
But in the revenue of the wicked is trouble.
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The lips of the wise disperse knowledge,
But the heart of the fool does not do so.
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g The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination to the LORD,
But the prayer of the upright is His delight.
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The way of the wicked is an abomination to the LORD,
But He loves him who h follows righteousness.
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i Harsh discipline is for him who forsakes the way,
And j he who hates correction will die.
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k Hell and Destruction are before the LORD;
So how much more l the hearts of the sons of men.
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m A scoffer does not love one who corrects him,
Nor will he go to the wise.
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n A merry heart makes a cheerful countenance,
But o by sorrow of the heart the spirit is broken.
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The heart of him who has understanding seeks knowledge,
But the mouth of fools feeds on foolishness.
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All the days of the afflicted are evil,
p But he who is of a merry heart has a continual feast.
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q Better is a little with the fear of the LORD,
Than great treasure with trouble.
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r Better is a dinner of herbs where love is,
Than a fatted calf with hatred.
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s A wrathful man stirs up strife,
But he who is slow to anger allays contention.
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t The way of the lazy man is like a hedge of thorns,
But the way of the upright is a highway.
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u A wise son makes a father glad,
But a foolish man despises his mother.
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v Folly is joy to him who is destitute of discernment,
w But a man of understanding walks uprightly.
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x Without counsel, plans go awry,
But in the multitude of counselors they are established.
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A man has joy by the answer of his mouth,
And y a word spoken in due season, how good it is!
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z The way of life winds upward for the wise,
That he may a turn away from hell below.
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b The LORD will destroy the house of the proud,
But c He will establish the boundary of the widow.
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d The thoughts of the wicked are an abomination to the LORD,
e But the words of the pure are pleasant.
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f He who is greedy for gain troubles his own house,
But he who hates bribes will live.
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The heart of the righteous g studies how to answer,
But the mouth of the wicked pours forth evil.
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h The LORD is far from the wicked,
But i He hears the prayer of the righteous.
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The light of the eyes rejoices the heart,
And a good report makes the bones healthy.
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The ear that hears the rebukes of life
Will abide among the wise.
32
He who disdains instruction despises his own soul,
But he who heeds rebuke gets understanding.
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j The fear of the LORD is the instruction of wisdom,
And k before honor is humility.
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Cross References
Proverbs 25:15
By long forbearance a ruler is persuaded, And a gentle tongue breaks a bone.
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Cross References
1 Samuel 25:10
Then Nabal answered David's servants, and said, "Who is David, and who is the son of Jesse? There are many servants nowadays who break away each one from his master.
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Cross References
Proverbs 12:23
A prudent man conceals knowledge, But the heart of fools proclaims foolishness.
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Cross References
2 Chronicles 16:9
"For the eyes of the LORD run to and fro throug...
Job 34:21
For His eyes are on the ways of man, And He see...
Proverbs 5:21
For the ways of man are before the eyes of the ...
Jeremiah 16:17
For My eyes are on all their ways; they are not...
Jeremiah 32:19
You are great in counsel and mighty in work, fo...
Zechariah 4:10
For who has despised the day of small things? F...
Hebrews 4:13
And there is no creature hidden from His sight,...
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Cross References
Proverbs 10:1
The proverbs of Solomon: A wise son makes a glad father, But a foolish son is the grief of his mother.
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Cross References
Proverbs 13:18
Poverty and shame will come to him who disdains correction, But he who regards a rebuke will be honored.
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Cross References
Proverbs 21:27
The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination; How much more when he brings it with wicked intent!
Ecclesiastes 5:1
Walk prudently when you go to the house of God; and draw near to hear rather than to give the sacrifice of fools, for they do not know that they do evil.
Isaiah 1:11
To what purpose is the multitude of your sacrifices to Me?" Says the LORD. "I have had enough of burnt offerings of rams And the fat of fed cattle. I do not delight in the blood of bulls, Or of lambs or goats.
Jeremiah 6:20
For what purpose to Me Comes frankincense from Sheba, And sweet cane from a far country? Your burnt offerings are not acceptable, Nor your sacrifices sweet to Me.
Micah 6:7
Will the LORD be pleased with thousands of rams, Ten thousand rivers of oil? Shall I give my firstborn for my transgression, The fruit of my body for the sin of my soul?
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Cross References
Proverbs 21:21
He who follows righteousness and mercy Finds life, righteousness and honor.
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Cross References
1 Kings 22:8
So the king of Israel said to Jehoshaphat, " There is still one man, Micaiah the son of Imlah, by whom we may inquire of the LORD; but I hate him, because he does not prophesy good concerning me, but evil." And Jehoshaphat said, "Let not the king say such things!
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Cross References
Proverbs 5:12
And say: "How I have hated instruction, And my heart despised correction!
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Cross References
Job 26:6
Sheol is naked before Him, And Destruction has no covering.
Psalms 139:8
If I ascend into heaven, You are there; If I make my bed in hell, behold, You are there.
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Cross References
1 Samuel 16:7
But the LORD said to Samuel, "Do not look at his appearance or at his physical stature, because I have refused him. For the LORD does not see as man sees; for man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart.
2 Chronicles 6:30
Then hear from heaven Your dwelling place, and forgive, and give to everyone according to all his ways, whose heart You know (for You alone know the hearts of the sons of men).
Psalms 44:21
Would not God search this out? For He knows the secrets of the heart.
Acts 1:24
And they prayed and said, "You, O Lord, who know the hearts of all, show which of these two You have chosen
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Cross References
Proverbs 13:1
A wise son heeds his father's instruction, But a scoffer does not listen to rebuke.
Amos 5:10
They hate the one who rebukes in the gate, And they abhor the one who speaks uprightly.
2 Timothy 4:3
For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers.
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Cross References
Proverbs 12:25
Anxiety in the heart of man causes depression, But a good word makes it glad.
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Cross References
Proverbs 17:22
A merry heart does good, like medicine, But a broken spirit dries the bones.
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Cross References
Proverbs 17:22
A merry heart does good, like medicine, But a broken spirit dries the bones.
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Cross References
Psalms 37:16
A little that a righteous man has Is better than the riches of many wicked.
Proverbs 16:8
Better is a little with righteousness, Than vast revenues without justice.
Ecclesiastes 4:6
Better a handful with quietness Than both hands full, together with toil and grasping for the wind.
1 Timothy 6:6
Now godliness with contentment is great gain.
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Cross References
Proverbs 17:1
Better is a dry morsel with quietness, Than a house full of feasting with strife.
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Cross References
Proverbs 26:21
As charcoal is to burning coals, and wood to fire, So is a contentious man to kindle strife.
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Cross References
Proverbs 22:5
Thorns and snares are in the way of the perverse; He who guards his soul will be far from them.
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Cross References
Proverbs 10:1
The proverbs of Solomon: A wise son makes a glad father, But a foolish son is the grief of his mother.
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Cross References
Proverbs 10:23
To do evil is like sport to a fool, But a man of understanding has wisdom.
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Cross References
Ephesians 5:15
See then that you walk circumspectly, not as fools but as wise.
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Cross References
Proverbs 11:14
Where there is no counsel, the people fall; But in the multitude of counselors there is safety.
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Cross References
Proverbs 25:11
A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold In settings of silver.
Isaiah 50:4
The Lord GOD has given Me The tongue of the learned, That I should know how to speak A word in season to him who is weary. He awakens Me morning by morning, He awakens My ear To hear as the learned.
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Cross References
Philippians 3:20
For our citizenship is in heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ.
Colossians 3:1
If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God.
Colossians 3:2
Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth.
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Cross References
Proverbs 14:16
A wise man fears and departs from evil, But a fool rages and is self-confident.
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Cross References
Proverbs 12:7
The wicked are overthrown and are no more, But the house of the righteous will stand.
Isaiah 2:11
The lofty looks of man shall be humbled, The haughtiness of men shall be bowed down, And the LORD alone shall be exalted in that day.
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Cross References
Psalms 68:5
A father of the fatherless, a defender of widows, Is God in His holy habitation.
Psalms 68:6
God sets the solitary in families; He brings out those who are bound into prosperity; But the rebellious dwell in a dry land.
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Cross References
Proverbs 6:16
These six things the LORD hates, Yes, seven are an abomination to Him:
Proverbs 6:18
A heart that devises wicked plans, Feet that are swift in running to evil.
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Cross References
Psalms 37:30
The mouth of the righteous speaks wisdom, And his tongue talks of justice.
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Cross References
Isaiah 5:8
Woe to those who join house to house; They add field to field, Till there is no place Where they may dwell alone in the midst of the land!
Jeremiah 17:11
" As a partridge that broods but does not hatch, So is he who gets riches, but not by right; It will leave him in the midst of his days, And at his end he will be a fool."
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Cross References
1 Peter 3:15
But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear.
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Cross References
Psalms 10:1
Why do You stand afar off, O LORD? Why do You hide in times of trouble?
Psalms 34:16
The face of the LORD is against those who do evil, To cut off the remembrance of them from the earth.
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Cross References
Psalms 145:18
The LORD is near to all who call upon Him, To all who call upon Him in truth.
James 5:16
Confess your trespasses to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much.
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Cross References
Proverbs 1:7
The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge, But fools despise wisdom and instruction.
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Cross References
Proverbs 18:12
Before destruction the heart of a man is haughty, And before honor is humility.
New King James Version (NKJV) Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc.