CHAPTER 15 Apr. 5 
The Power of the Tongue and the Fear of Yahweh
A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger. 2The tongue of the wise commends knowledge, but the mouth of fools gushes out folly. 3Yahweh’s eyes are everywhere, keeping watch on the evil and the good. 4A gentle tongue is a tree of life, but deceit in it crushes the spirit. 5A fool despises his father’s correction, but he who heeds reproof shows prudence. 6In the house of the righteous is much treasure, but the income of the wicked brings trouble. 7The lips of the wise spread knowledge; not so with the heart of fools. 8The sacrifice made by the wicked is an abomination to Yahweh, but the prayer of the upright is His delight. 9The way of the wicked is an abomination to Yahweh, but He loves him who follows after righteousness. 10There is stern discipline for one who forsakes the way: whoever hates reproof shall die. 11Sheol and Abaddon are before Yahweh— how much more then the hearts of the children of men!

The Great Things of Life
12A scoffer doesn’t love to be reproved; he will not go to the wise. 13A glad heart makes a cheerful face; but an aching heart breaks the spirit. 14The heart of one who has understanding seeks knowledge, but the mouths of fools feed on folly. 15All the days of the afflicted are wretched, but one who has a cheerful heart enjoys a continual feast. 16Better is little with the fear of Yahweh, than great treasure with trouble. 17Better is a dinner of herbs where love is, than a fattened calf with hatred. 18A wrathful man stirs up contention, but one who is slow to anger appeases strife. 19The way of the sluggard is like a thorn patch, but the path of the upright is a highway. 20A wise son makes a father glad, but a foolish man despises his mother. 21Folly is joy to one who is void of wisdom, but a man of understanding keeps his way straight. 22Where there is no counsel, plans fail; but in a multitude of counsellors they are established. 23Joy comes to a man as a result of the reply of his mouth. How good is an appropriate word at the right time! 24The path of life spirals upward for the wise, to keep him from going downward to Sheol. 25Yahweh will uproot the house of the proud, but He will keep the widow’s borders intact. 26Yahweh detests the thoughts of the wicked, but the thoughts of the pure are pleasing. 27He who is greedy for gain troubles his own house, but he who hates bribes will live. 28The heart of the righteous weighs answers, but the mouth of the wicked gushes out evil. 29Yahweh is far from the wicked, but He hears the prayer of the righteous. 30The light of the eyes rejoices the heart; good news gives health to the bones. 31The ear that listens to reproof lives, and will be at home among the wise. 32He who refuses correction despises his own soul, but he who listens to reproof gets understanding. 33The fear of Yahweh teaches wisdom; before honour is humility. 

Commentary

15:3 Yahweh’s eyes are everywhere- A reference to God’s presence everywhere through His Angels. This reminder is given in the context of warning us about our words; if we believe that God is really aware of absolutely everything, this will influence our words.
15:4 People are psychologically crushed when they realize that words spoken to them lacked integrity. The importance of our words is therefore because of their influence upon others. Appropriate gentleness in speech can also lead people to eternal life.
15:7 Again we see how the heart and the tongue (“lips”) are paralleled; what we think really issues in our words (Lk. 6:45).
15:8 Here and elsewhere in Scripture, prayer is seen as a sacrifice. It requires the same effort and careful preparation beforehand (Heb. 13:15). The altar of incense represented the offering of prayer as a sacrifice (Rev. 8:3,4).
15:12 The implication is that people don’t mix with the wise because they subconsciously fear being criticized, directly or indirectly. Those who can bear criticism relax with the wise (:31).
15:14 Fools feed on folly- A relevant warning to us who live in an age of constant comedy and entertainment, where folly is presented as joy (:21). 
15:26 God watches every thought of every person. Such knowledge is amazing. And we can please God Almighty in distant Heaven, just by how we are thinking. Such is the colossal significance of spiritual mindedness.