Proverbs 15
1 Anger slays even wise men; yet a submissive answer turns away wrath: but a grievous word stirs up anger.
A soft answer turns away wrath: but grievous words stir up anger.
2 The tongue of the wise knows what is good: but the mouth of the foolish tells out evil things.
The tongue of the wise uses knowledge aright: but the mouth of fools pours out foolishness.
3 The eyes of the Lord behold both the evil and the good in every place.
The eyes of the LORD are in every place, beholding the evil and the good.
4 The wholesome tongue is a tree of life, and he that keeps it shall be filled with understanding.
A wholesome tongue is a tree of life: but perverseness therein is a breach in the spirit.
5 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.
A fool despises his father's instruction: but he that regards reproof is prudent.
6 In the houses of the righteous is much strength: but the fruits of the ungodly shall perish.
In the house of the righteous is much treasure: but in the revenues of the wicked is trouble.
7 The lips of the wise are bound by discretion: but the hearts of the foolish are not safe.
The lips of the wise disperse knowledge: but the heart of the foolish does not so.
8 The sacrifices of the ungodly are an abomination to the Lord; but the prayers of them that walk honestly are acceptable with him.
The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination to the LORD: but the prayer of the upright is his delight.
9 The ways of an ungodly [man] are an abomination to the Lord; but he loves those that follow after righteousness.
The way of the wicked is an abomination unto the LORD: but he loves him that follows after righteousness.
10 The instruction of the simple is known by them that pass by; but they that hate reproofs die disgracefully.
Correction is grievous unto him that forsakes the way: and he that hates reproof shall die.
11 Hell and destruction are manifest to the Lord; how shall not also be the hearts of men? (Sheol h7585)
Hell and destruction are before the LORD: how much more then the hearts of the children of men? (Sheol h7585)
12 An uninstructed person will not love those that reprove him; neither will he associate with the wise.
A scorner loves not one that reproves him: neither will he go unto the wise.
13 When the heart rejoices the countenance is cheerful; but when it is in sorrow, [the countenance] is sad.
A merry heart makes a cheerful countenance: but by sorrow of the heart the spirit is broken.
14 An upright heart seeks discretion; but the mouth of the uninstructed will experience evils.
The heart of him that has understanding seeks knowledge: but the mouth of fools feeds on foolishness.
15 The eyes of the wicked are always looking for evil things; but the good are always quiet.
All the days of the afflicted are evil: but he that is of a merry heart has a continual feast.
16 Better is a small portion with the fear of the Lord, than great treasures without the fear [of the Lord].
Better is little with the fear of the LORD than great treasure and trouble therewith.
17 Better is an entertainment of herbs with friendliness and kindness, than a feast of calves, with enmity.
Better is a dinner of herbs where love is, than a stalled ox and hatred therewith.
18 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.
A wrathful man stirs up strife: but he that is slow to anger appeases strife.
19 The ways of sluggards are strewn with thorns; but those of the diligent are made smooth.
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 gladdens [his] father; but a foolish son sneers at his mother.
A wise son makes a glad father: but a foolish man despises his mother.
21 The ways of a foolish man are void of sense; but a wise man proceeds on his way aright.
Folly is joy to him that is destitute of wisdom: but a man of understanding walks uprightly.
22 They that honour not councils put off deliberation; but counsel abides in the hearts of counsellors.
Without counsel purposes are disappointed: but in the multitude of counsellors they are established.
23 A bad man will by no means attend to counsel; neither will he say anything seasonable, or good for the common [weal].
A man has joy by the answer of his mouth: and a word spoken in due season, how good is it!
24 The thoughts of the wise are ways of life, that he may turn aside and escape from hell. (Sheol h7585)
The way of life is above to the wise, that he may depart from hell beneath. (Sheol h7585)
25 The Lord pulls down the houses of scorners; but he establishes the border of the widow.
The LORD will destroy the house of the proud: but he will establish the border of the widow.
26 An unrighteous thought is abomination to the Lord; but the sayings of the pure are held in honour.
The thoughts of the wicked are an abomination to the LORD: but the words of the pure are pleasant words.
27 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.
He that is greedy of gain troubles his own house; but he that hates gifts shall live.
28 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.
The heart of the righteous studies to answer: but the mouth of the wicked pours out evil things.
29 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.
The LORD is far from the wicked: but he hears the prayer of the righteous.
The light of the eyes rejoices the heart: and a good report makes the bones fat.
The ear that hears the reproof of life abides among the wise.
32 He that rejects instruction hates himself; but he that mind reproofs loves his soul.
He that refuses instruction despises his own soul: but he that hears reproof gets understanding.
33 The fear of the Lord is instruction and wisdom; and the highest honour will correspond therewith.
The fear of the LORD is the instruction of wisdom; and before honour is humility.
