Proverbs 15
1 A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.
Anger slays even wise men; yet a submissive answer turns away wrath: but a grievous word stirs up anger.
2 The tongue of the wise commends knowledge, but the mouth of the fool spouts folly.
The tongue of the wise knows what is good: but the mouth of the foolish tells out evil things.
3 The eyes of the LORD are in every place, observing the evil and the good.
The eyes of the Lord behold both the evil and the good in every place.
4 A soothing tongue is a tree of life, but a perverse tongue crushes the spirit.
The wholesome tongue is a tree of life, and he that keeps it shall be filled with understanding.
5 A fool rejects his father’s discipline, but whoever heeds correction is prudent.
A fool scorns his father's instruction; but he that keeps his commandments is more prudent. In abounding righteousness is great strength: but the ungodly shall utterly perish from the earth.
6 The house of the righteous has great treasure, but the income of the wicked is trouble.
In the houses of the righteous is much strength: but the fruits of the ungodly shall perish.
7 The lips of the wise spread knowledge, but not so the hearts of fools.
The lips of the wise are bound by discretion: but the hearts of the foolish are not safe.
8 The sacrifice of the wicked is detestable to the LORD, but the prayer of the upright is His delight.
The sacrifices of the ungodly are an abomination to the Lord; but the prayers of them that walk honestly are acceptable with him.
9 The LORD detests the way of the wicked, but He loves those who pursue righteousness.
The ways of an ungodly [man] are an abomination to the Lord; but he loves those that follow after righteousness.
10 Discipline is harsh for him who leaves the path; he who hates correction will die.
The instruction of the simple is known by them that pass by; but they that hate reproofs die disgracefully.
Hell and destruction are manifest to the Lord; how shall not also be the hearts of men? (Sheol h7585)
12 A mocker does not love to be reproved, nor will he consult the wise.
An uninstructed person will not love those that reprove him; neither will he associate with the wise.
13 A joyful heart makes a cheerful countenance, but sorrow of the heart crushes the spirit.
When the heart rejoices the countenance is cheerful; but when it is in sorrow, [the countenance] is sad.
14 A discerning heart seeks knowledge, but the mouth of a fool feeds on folly.
An upright heart seeks discretion; but the mouth of the uninstructed will experience evils.
15 All the days of the oppressed are bad, but a cheerful heart has a continual feast.
The eyes of the wicked are always looking for evil things; but the good are always quiet.
16 Better a little with the fear of the LORD than great treasure with turmoil.
Better is a small portion with the fear of the Lord, than great treasures without the fear [of the Lord].
17 Better a dish of vegetables where there is love than a fattened ox with hatred.
Better is an entertainment of herbs with friendliness and kindness, than a feast of calves, with enmity.
18 A hot-tempered man stirs up strife, but he who is slow to anger calms dispute.
A passionate man stirs up strife; but [he that is] slow to anger appeases even a rising one. A man slow to anger will extinguish quarrels; but an ungodly man rather stirs [them] up.
19 The way of the slacker is like a hedge of thorns, but the path of the upright is a highway.
The ways of sluggards are strewn with thorns; but those of the diligent are made smooth.
20 A wise son brings joy to his father, but a foolish man despises his mother.
A wise son gladdens [his] father; but a foolish son sneers at his mother.
21 Folly is joy to one who lacks judgment, but a man of understanding walks a straight path.
The ways of a foolish man are void of sense; but a wise man proceeds on his way aright.
22 Plans fail for lack of counsel, but with many advisers they succeed.
They that honour not councils put off deliberation; but counsel abides in the hearts of counsellors.
23 A man takes joy in a fitting reply— and how good is a timely word!
A bad man will by no means attend to counsel; neither will he say anything seasonable, or good for the common [weal].
The thoughts of the wise are ways of life, that he may turn aside and escape from hell. (Sheol h7585)
25 The LORD tears down the house of the proud, but He protects the boundaries of the widow.
The Lord pulls down the houses of scorners; but he establishes the border of the widow.
26 The LORD detests the thoughts of the wicked, but the words of the pure are pleasant to Him.
An unrighteous thought is abomination to the Lord; but the sayings of the pure are held in honour.
27 He who is greedy for unjust gain brings trouble on his household, but he who hates bribes will live.
A receiver of bribes destroys himself; but he that hates the receiving of bribes is safe. [By alms and by faithful dealings ] [sins are purged away; ] but by the fear of the Lord every one departs from evil.
28 The heart of the righteous ponders how to answer, but the mouth of the wicked blurts out evil.
The hearts of the righteous meditate faithfulness; but the mouth of the ungodly answers evil things. The ways of righteous men are acceptable with the Lord; and through them even enemies become friends.
29 The LORD is far from the wicked, but He hears the prayer of the righteous.
God is far from the ungodly; but he hearkens to the prayers of the righteous. Better are small receipts with righteousness, than abundant fruits with unrighteousness. Let the heart of a man think justly, that his steps may be rightly ordered of God. The eye that sees rightly rejoices the heart; and a good report fattens the bones.
30 The light of the eyes cheers the heart, and good news nourishes the bones.
31 He who listens to life-giving reproof will dwell among the wise.
32 He who ignores discipline despises himself, but whoever heeds correction gains understanding.
He that rejects instruction hates himself; but he that mind reproofs loves his soul.
33 The fear of the LORD is the instruction of wisdom, and humility comes before honor.
The fear of the Lord is instruction and wisdom; and the highest honour will correspond therewith.
