Proverbs 15:16-33

English Standard Version

^16 (A)Better is a little with the fear of the Lord
    than great treasure and trouble with it.
^17 (B)Better is a dinner of herbs where love is
    than ^(C)a fattened ox and hatred with it.
^18 (D)A hot-tempered man ^(E)stirs up strife,
    but he who is ^(F)slow to anger quiets contention.
¹⁹ The way of ^(G)a sluggard is like a hedge of ^(H)thorns,
    but the path of the upright is ^(I)a level highway.
^20 (J)A wise son makes a glad father,
    but a foolish man despises his mother.
^21 (K)Folly is a joy to him who lacks sense,
    but a man of understanding ^(L)walks straight ahead.
^22 (M)Without counsel plans fail,
    but with many advisers they succeed.
²³ To make an apt answer is a joy to a man,
    and ^(N)a word in season, how good it is!
²⁴ The path of life leads upward ^(O)for the prudent,
    that he may turn away from Sheol beneath.
²⁵ The Lord tears down the house of ^(P)the proud
    but ^(Q)maintains ^(R)the widow's boundaries.
^26 (S)The thoughts of the wicked are an abomination to the Lord,
    but ^(T)gracious words are pure.
²⁷ Whoever is ^(U)greedy for unjust gain ^(V)troubles his own household,
    but he who hates ^(W)bribes will live.
²⁸ The heart of the righteous ^(X)ponders how to answer,
    but ^(Y)the mouth of the wicked pours out evil things.
²⁹ The Lord is ^(Z)far from the wicked,
    but he ^(AA)hears the prayer of the righteous.
^30 (AB)The light of the eyes rejoices the heart,
    and ^(AC)good news refreshes^[a] the bones.
^31 (AD)The ear that listens to ^(AE)life-giving reproof
    will dwell among the wise.
³² Whoever ^(AF)ignores instruction ^(AG)despises himself,
    but he who listens to reproof ^(AH)gains intelligence.
^33 (AI)The fear of the Lord is instruction in wisdom,
    and ^(AJ)humility comes before honor.