Proverbs 15
1 A mild response shatters anger. But a harsh word stirs up fury.
A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.
2 The tongue of the wise adorns knowledge. But the mouth of the senseless gushes with foolishness.
The tongue of wise people compliments knowledge, but the mouth of fools pours out folly.
3 In every place, the eyes of the Lord consider good and evil.
The eyes of Yahweh are everywhere, keeping watch over the evil and the good.
4 A peaceful tongue is a tree of life. But that which is immoderate will crush the spirit.
A healing tongue is a tree of life, but a deceitful tongue crushes the spirit.
5 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.
A fool has contempt for his father's instruction, but he who learns from correction is prudent.
6 The house of the just has very great strength. And in the fruits of the impious, there is disorder.
In the house of the righteous person there is great treasure, but the earnings of the wicked person give him trouble.
7 The lips of the wise shall disseminate knowledge. The heart of the foolish will be dissimilar.
The lips of wise people scatter knowledge about, but not so the hearts of fools.
8 The sacrifices of the impious are abominable to the Lord. The vows of the just are appeasing.
Yahweh hates the sacrifices of wicked people, but the prayer of upright people is his delight.
9 The way of the impious is an abomination to the Lord. Whoever pursues justice is loved by him.
Yahweh hates the way of wicked people, but he loves the one who pursues what is right.
10 Doctrine is evil to those who abandon the way of life. Whoever hates correction shall die.
Harsh discipline awaits anyone who forsakes the way and he who hates correction will die.
11 Hell and perdition are in the sight of the Lord. How much more the hearts of the sons of men! (Sheol h7585)
Sheol and destruction are open before Yahweh; how much more the hearts of the sons of mankind? (Sheol h7585)
12 He who corrupts himself does not love the one who afflicts him, nor will he step toward the wise.
The mocker resents correction; he will not go to the wise.
13 A rejoicing heart gladdens the face. But by the grief of the soul, the spirit is cast down.
A joyful heart makes the face cheerful, but heartache crushes the spirit.
14 The heart of the wise seeks doctrine. And the mouth of the foolish feeds on ignorance.
The heart of the discerning seeks knowledge, but the mouth of fools feeds on folly.
15 All the days of the poor are evil. A secure mind is like a continual feast.
All the days of oppressed people are miserable, but a cheerful heart has an unending feast.
16 Better is a little with the fear of the Lord, than great treasures and dissatisfaction.
Better is little with the fear of Yahweh than great treasure with confusion.
17 It is better to be called to vegetables with charity, than to a fatted calf with hatred.
Better is a meal with vegetables where there is love than a fatted calf served with hatred.
18 A short-tempered man provokes conflicts. Whoever is patient tempers those who are stirred up.
An angry man stirs up arguments, but a person who is slow to anger quiets a quarrel.
19 The way of the slothful is like a hedge of thorns. The way of the just is without offense.
The path of the sluggard is like a place with a hedge of thorns, but the path of the upright is a built-up highway.
20 A wise son gladdens the father. But the foolish man despises his mother.
A wise son brings joy to his father, but a foolish person despises his mother.
21 Folly is gladness to the foolish. And the prudent man sets his own steps in order.
Folly delights a person who lacks sense, but the one who has understanding walks a straight path.
22 Intentions dissipate where there is no counsel. Yet truly, they are confirmed where there are many counselors.
Plans go wrong where there is no advice, but with numerous advisors they succeed.
23 A man rejoices in the verdict of his own mouth. And a word at the right time is best.
A person finds joy when he gives a pertinent reply; how good is a timely word!
24 The path of life is for the wise above, so that he may turn away from the end of Hell. (Sheol h7585)
The path of life leads upward for prudent people, that they may turn away from Sheol beneath. (Sheol h7585)
25 The Lord will demolish the house of the arrogant. And He will make firm the borders of the widow.
Yahweh tears down the house of the proud, but he protects the property of the widow.
26 Evil intentions are an abomination to the Lord. And pure conversation, most beautiful, shall be confirmed by him.
Yahweh hates the thoughts of wicked people, but the words of kindness are pure.
27 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.
The robber brings trouble to his family, but the one who hates bribes will live.
28 The mind of the just meditates on obedience. The mouth of the impious overflows with evils.
The heart of the righteous person ponders before it answers, but the mouth of wicked people pours out all its evil.
29 The Lord is distant from the impious. And he will heed the prayers of the just.
Yahweh is far away from wicked people, but he hears the prayer of righteous people.
30 The light of the eyes rejoices the soul. A good reputation fattens the bones.
The light of the eyes brings joy to the heart and good news is health to the body.
31 The ear that listens to the reproofs of life shall abide in the midst of the wise.
If you pay attention when someone corrects how you live, you will remain among wise people.
32 Whoever rejects discipline despises his own soul. But whoever agrees to correction is a possessor of the heart.
The one who rejects discipline despises himself, but he who listens to correction gains understanding.
33 The fear of the Lord is the discipline of wisdom. And humility precedes glory.
The fear of Yahweh teaches wisdom and humility comes before honor.
