< Proverbs 15 >
1 A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.
A soft answer turns away wrath: but grievous words stir up anger.
2 The tongue of the wise commends knowledge, but the mouth of the fool spouts folly.
The tongue of the wise uses knowledge aright: but the mouth of fools pours out foolishness.
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, beholding the evil and the good.
4 A soothing tongue is a tree of life, but a perverse tongue crushes the spirit.
A wholesome tongue is a tree of life: but perverseness therein is a breach in the spirit.
5 A fool rejects his father’s discipline, but whoever heeds correction is prudent.
A fool despises his father’s instruction: but he that regards reproof is prudent.
6 The house of the righteous has great treasure, but the income of the wicked is trouble.
In the house of the righteous is much treasure: but in the revenues of the wicked is trouble.
7 The lips of the wise spread knowledge, but not so the hearts of fools.
The lips of the wise disperse knowledge: but the heart of the foolish does not so.
8 The sacrifice of the wicked is detestable to the LORD, but the prayer of the upright is His delight.
The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination to the LORD: but the prayer of the upright is his delight.
9 The LORD detests the way of the wicked, but He loves those who pursue righteousness.
The way of the wicked is an abomination to the LORD: but he loves him that follows after righteousness.
10 Discipline is harsh for him who leaves the path; he who hates correction will die.
Correction is grievous to him that forsakes the way: and he that hates reproof shall die.
11 Sheol and Abaddon lie open before the LORD— how much more the hearts of men! (Sheol )
Hell and destruction are before the LORD: how much more then the hearts of the children of men? (Sheol )
12 A mocker does not love to be reproved, nor will he consult the wise.
A scorner loves not one that reproves him: neither will he go to the wise.
13 A joyful heart makes a cheerful countenance, but sorrow of the heart crushes the spirit.
A merry heart makes a cheerful countenance: but by 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 him that has understanding seeks knowledge: but the mouth of fools feeds on foolishness.
15 All the days of the oppressed are bad, but a cheerful heart has a continual feast.
All the days of the afflicted are evil: but he that is of a merry heart has a continual feast.
16 Better a little with the fear of the LORD than great treasure with turmoil.
Better is little with the fear of the LORD than great treasure and trouble therewith.
17 Better a dish of vegetables where there is love than a fattened ox with hatred.
Better is a dinner of herbs where love is, than a stalled ox and hatred therewith.
18 A hot-tempered man stirs up strife, but he who is slow to anger calms dispute.
A wrathful man stirs up strife: but he that is slow to anger appeases strife.
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 man is as an hedge of thorns: but the way of the righteous is made plain.
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 despises his mother.
21 Folly is joy to one who lacks judgment, but a man of understanding walks a straight path.
Folly is joy to him that is destitute of wisdom: but a man of understanding walks uprightly.
22 Plans fail for lack of counsel, but with many advisers they succeed.
Without counsel purposes are disappointed: but in the multitude of counsellors they are established.
23 A man takes joy in a fitting reply— and how good is a timely word!
A man has joy by the answer of his mouth: and a word spoken in due season, how good is it!
24 The path of life leads upward for the wise, that he may avoid going down to Sheol. (Sheol )
The way of life is above to the wise, that he may depart from hell beneath. (Sheol )
25 The LORD tears down the house of the proud, but He protects the boundaries of the widow.
The LORD will destroy the house of the proud: but he will establish the border of the widow.
26 The LORD detests the thoughts of the wicked, but the words of the pure are pleasant to Him.
The thoughts of the wicked are an abomination to the LORD: but the words of the pure are pleasant words.
27 He who is greedy for unjust gain brings trouble on his household, but he who hates bribes will live.
He that is greedy of gain troubles his own house; but he that hates gifts shall live.
28 The heart of the righteous ponders how to answer, but the mouth of the wicked blurts out evil.
The heart of the righteous studies to answer: but the mouth of the wicked pours out evil things.
29 The LORD is far from the wicked, but He hears the prayer of the righteous.
The LORD is far from the wicked: but he hears the prayer of the righteous.
30 The light of the eyes cheers the heart, and good news nourishes the bones.
The light of the eyes rejoices the heart: and a good report makes the bones fat.
31 He who listens to life-giving reproof will dwell among the wise.
The ear that hears the reproof of life stays among the wise.
32 He who ignores discipline despises himself, but whoever heeds correction gains understanding.
He that refuses instruction despises his own soul: but he that hears reproof gets understanding.
33 The fear of the LORD is the instruction of wisdom, and humility comes before honor.
The fear of the LORD is the instruction of wisdom; and before honor is humility.