Proverbs 15
1 A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.
By a soft answer wrath is turned away, but a bitter word is a cause of angry feelings.
2 The tongue of the wise commends knowledge, but the mouth of the fool spouts folly.
Knowledge is dropping from the tongue of the wise; but from the mouth of the foolish comes a stream of foolish words.
3 The eyes of the LORD are in every place, observing the evil and the good.
The eyes of the Lord are in every place, keeping watch on the evil and the good.
4 A soothing tongue is a tree of life, but a perverse tongue crushes the spirit.
A comforting tongue is a tree of life, but a twisted tongue is a crushing of the spirit.
5 A fool rejects his father’s discipline, but whoever heeds correction is prudent.
A foolish man puts no value on his father's training; but he who has respect for teaching has good sense.
6 The house of the righteous has great treasure, but the income of the wicked is trouble.
In the house of the upright man there is a great store of wealth; but in the profits of the sinner there is trouble.
7 The lips of the wise spread knowledge, but not so the hearts of fools.
The lips of the wise keep knowledge, but the heart of the foolish man is not right.
8 The sacrifice of the wicked is detestable to the LORD, but the prayer of the upright is His delight.
The offering of the evil-doer is disgusting to the Lord, but the prayer of the upright man is his delight.
9 The LORD detests the way of the wicked, but He loves those who pursue righteousness.
The way of the evil-doer is disgusting to the Lord, but he who goes after righteousness is dear to him.
10 Discipline is harsh for him who leaves the path; he who hates correction will die.
There is bitter punishment for him who is turned from the way; and death will be the fate of the hater of teaching.
Before the Lord are the underworld and destruction: how much more, then, the hearts of the children of men! (Sheol h7585)
12 A mocker does not love to be reproved, nor will he consult the wise.
The hater of authority has no love for teaching: he will not go to the wise.
13 A joyful heart makes a cheerful countenance, but sorrow of the heart crushes the spirit.
A glad heart makes a shining face, but by the sorrow of the heart the spirit is broken.
14 A discerning heart seeks knowledge, but the mouth of a fool feeds on folly.
The heart of the man of good sense goes in search of knowledge, but foolish things are the food of the unwise.
15 All the days of the oppressed are bad, but a cheerful heart has a continual feast.
All the days of the troubled are evil; but he whose heart is glad has an unending feast.
16 Better a little with the fear of the LORD than great treasure with turmoil.
Better is a little with the fear of the Lord, than great wealth together with trouble.
17 Better a dish of vegetables where there is love than a fattened ox with hatred.
Better is a simple meal where love is, than a fat ox and hate with it.
18 A hot-tempered man stirs up strife, but he who is slow to anger calms dispute.
An angry man makes men come to blows, but he who is slow to get angry puts an end to fighting.
19 The way of the slacker is like a hedge of thorns, but the path of the upright is a highway.
Thorns are round the way of the hater of work; but the road of the hard worker becomes a highway.
20 A wise son brings joy to his father, but a foolish man despises his mother.
A wise son makes a glad father, but a foolish man has no respect for his mother.
21 Folly is joy to one who lacks judgment, but a man of understanding walks a straight path.
Foolish behaviour is joy to the unwise; but a man of good sense makes his way straight.
22 Plans fail for lack of counsel, but with many advisers they succeed.
Where there are no wise suggestions, purposes come to nothing; but by a number of wise guides they are made certain.
23 A man takes joy in a fitting reply— and how good is a timely word!
A man has joy in the answer of his mouth: and a word at the right time, how good it is!
Acting wisely is the way of life, guiding a man away from the underworld. (Sheol h7585)
25 The LORD tears down the house of the proud, but He protects the boundaries of the widow.
The house of the man of pride will be uprooted by the Lord, but he will make safe the heritage of the widow.
26 The LORD detests the thoughts of the wicked, but the words of the pure are pleasant to Him.
Evil designs are disgusting to the Lord, but the words of the clean-hearted are pleasing.
27 He who is greedy for unjust gain brings trouble on his household, but he who hates bribes will live.
He whose desires are fixed on profit is a cause of trouble to his family; but he who has no desire for offerings will have life.
28 The heart of the righteous ponders how to answer, but the mouth of the wicked blurts out evil.
The heart of the upright gives thought to his answer; but from the mouth of the evil-doer comes a stream of evil things.
29 The LORD is far from the wicked, but He hears the prayer of the righteous.
The Lord is far from sinners, but his ear is open to the prayer of the upright.
30 The light of the eyes cheers the heart, and good news nourishes the bones.
The light of the eyes is a joy to the heart, and good news makes the bones fat.
31 He who listens to life-giving reproof will dwell among the wise.
The man whose ear is open to the teaching of life will have his place among the wise.
32 He who ignores discipline despises himself, but whoever heeds correction gains understanding.
He who will not be controlled by training has no respect for his soul, but he who gives ear to teaching will get wisdom.
33 The fear of the LORD is the instruction of wisdom, and humility comes before honor.
The fear of the Lord is the teaching of wisdom; and a low opinion of oneself goes before honour.
