Proverbs 15
1 A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.
A mild response shatters anger. But a harsh word stirs up fury.
2 The tongue of the wise commends knowledge, but the mouth of the fool spouts folly.
The tongue of the wise adorns knowledge. But the mouth of the senseless gushes with foolishness.
3 The eyes of the LORD are in every place, observing the evil and the good.
In every place, the eyes of the Lord consider good and evil.
4 A soothing tongue is a tree of life, but a perverse tongue crushes the spirit.
A peaceful tongue is a tree of life. But that which is immoderate will crush the spirit.
5 A fool rejects his father’s discipline, but whoever heeds correction is prudent.
A fool laughs at the discipline of his father. But whoever preserves rebukes will become astute. In abundant justice, there is very great virtue. But the intentions of the impious will be eradicated.
6 The house of the righteous has great treasure, but the income of the wicked is trouble.
The house of the just has very great strength. And in the fruits of the impious, there is disorder.
7 The lips of the wise spread knowledge, but not so the hearts of fools.
The lips of the wise shall disseminate knowledge. The heart of the foolish will be dissimilar.
8 The sacrifice of the wicked is detestable to the LORD, but the prayer of the upright is His delight.
The sacrifices of the impious are abominable to the Lord. The vows of the just are appeasing.
9 The LORD detests the way of the wicked, but He loves those who pursue righteousness.
The way of the impious is an abomination to the Lord. Whoever pursues justice is loved by him.
10 Discipline is harsh for him who leaves the path; he who hates correction will die.
Doctrine is evil to those who abandon the way of life. Whoever hates correction shall die.
Hell and perdition are in the sight of the Lord. How much more the hearts of the sons of men! (Sheol h7585)
12 A mocker does not love to be reproved, nor will he consult the wise.
He who corrupts himself does not love the one who afflicts him, nor will he step toward the wise.
13 A joyful heart makes a cheerful countenance, but sorrow of the heart crushes the spirit.
A rejoicing heart gladdens the face. But by the grief of the soul, the spirit is cast down.
14 A discerning heart seeks knowledge, but the mouth of a fool feeds on folly.
The heart of the wise seeks doctrine. And the mouth of the foolish feeds on ignorance.
15 All the days of the oppressed are bad, but a cheerful heart has a continual feast.
All the days of the poor are evil. A secure mind is like a continual 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 treasures and dissatisfaction.
17 Better a dish of vegetables where there is love than a fattened ox with hatred.
It is better to be called to vegetables with charity, than to a fatted calf with hatred.
18 A hot-tempered man stirs up strife, but he who is slow to anger calms dispute.
A short-tempered man provokes conflicts. Whoever is patient tempers those who are stirred up.
19 The way of the slacker is like a hedge of thorns, but the path of the upright is a highway.
The way of the slothful is like a hedge of thorns. The way of the just is without offense.
20 A wise son brings joy to his father, but a foolish man despises his mother.
A wise son gladdens the father. But the foolish man despises his mother.
21 Folly is joy to one who lacks judgment, but a man of understanding walks a straight path.
Folly is gladness to the foolish. And the prudent man sets his own steps in order.
22 Plans fail for lack of counsel, but with many advisers they succeed.
Intentions dissipate where there is no counsel. Yet truly, they are confirmed where there are many counselors.
23 A man takes joy in a fitting reply— and how good is a timely word!
A man rejoices in the verdict of his own mouth. And a word at the right time is best.
The path of life is for the wise above, so that he may turn away from the end of Hell. (Sheol h7585)
25 The LORD tears down the house of the proud, but He protects the boundaries of the widow.
The Lord will demolish the house of the arrogant. And He will make firm the borders of the widow.
26 The LORD detests the thoughts of the wicked, but the words of the pure are pleasant to Him.
Evil intentions are an abomination to the Lord. And pure conversation, most beautiful, shall be confirmed by him.
27 He who is greedy for unjust gain brings trouble on his household, but he who hates bribes will live.
Whoever pursues avarice disturbs his own house. But whoever hates bribes shall live. Through mercy and faith, sins are purged. But through the fear of the Lord, each one turns aside from evil.
28 The heart of the righteous ponders how to answer, but the mouth of the wicked blurts out evil.
The mind of the just meditates on obedience. The mouth of the impious overflows with evils.
29 The LORD is far from the wicked, but He hears the prayer of the righteous.
The Lord is distant from the impious. And he will heed the prayers of the just.
30 The light of the eyes cheers the heart, and good news nourishes the bones.
The light of the eyes rejoices the soul. A good reputation fattens the bones.
31 He who listens to life-giving reproof will dwell among the wise.
The ear that listens to the reproofs of life shall abide in the midst of the wise.
32 He who ignores discipline despises himself, but whoever heeds correction gains understanding.
Whoever rejects discipline despises his own soul. But whoever agrees to correction is a possessor of the heart.
33 The fear of the LORD is the instruction of wisdom, and humility comes before honor.
The fear of the Lord is the discipline of wisdom. And humility precedes glory.
