Proverbs 15
1 A soft answer turneth away fury; but a grievous word stirreth up anger.
A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.
2 The tongue of the wise useth knowledge aright; but the mouth of the foolish poureth out folly.
The tongue of the wise commends knowledge, but the mouth of the fool spouts folly.
3 The eyes of Jehovah are in every place, beholding the evil and the good.
The eyes of the LORD are in every place, observing the evil and the good.
4 Gentleness of tongue is a tree of life; but crookedness therein is a breaking of the spirit.
A soothing tongue is a tree of life, but a perverse tongue crushes the spirit.
5 A fool despiseth his father's instruction; but he that regardeth reproof becometh prudent.
A fool rejects his father’s discipline, but whoever heeds correction is prudent.
6 In the house of a righteous [man] is much treasure; but in the revenue of a wicked [man] is disturbance.
The house of the righteous has great treasure, but the income of the wicked is trouble.
7 The lips of the wise disperse knowledge, but not so the heart of the foolish.
The lips of the wise spread knowledge, but not so the hearts of fools.
8 The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination to Jehovah; but the prayer of the upright is his delight.
The sacrifice of the wicked is detestable to the LORD, but the prayer of the upright is His delight.
9 The way of a wicked [man] is an abomination to Jehovah; but him that pursueth righteousness he loveth.
The LORD detests the way of the wicked, but He loves those who pursue righteousness.
10 Grievous correction is for him that forsaketh the path; he that hateth reproof shall die.
Discipline is harsh for him who leaves the path; he who hates correction will die.
11 Sheol and destruction are before Jehovah; how much more then the hearts of the children of men! (Sheol h7585)
Sheol and Abaddon lie open before the LORD— how much more the hearts of men! (Sheol h7585)
12 A scorner loveth not one that reproveth him; he will not go unto the wise.
A mocker does not love to be reproved, nor will he consult the wise.
13 A joyful heart maketh a cheerful countenance; but by sorrow of heart the spirit is broken.
A joyful heart makes a cheerful countenance, but sorrow of the heart crushes the spirit.
14 The heart of an intelligent [man] seeketh knowledge; but the mouth of the foolish feedeth on folly.
A discerning heart seeks knowledge, but the mouth of a fool feeds on folly.
15 All the days of the afflicted are evil; but a cheerful heart is a continual feast.
All the days of the oppressed are bad, but a cheerful heart has a continual feast.
16 Better is little with the fear of Jehovah than great store and disquietude therewith.
Better a little with the fear of the LORD than great treasure with turmoil.
17 Better is a meal of herbs where love is, than a fatted ox and hatred therewith.
Better a dish of vegetables where there is love than a fattened ox with hatred.
18 A furious man stirreth up contention; but he that is slow to anger appeaseth strife.
A hot-tempered man stirs up strife, but he who is slow to anger calms dispute.
19 The way of the sluggard is as a hedge of thorns; but the path of the upright is made plain.
The way of the slacker is like a hedge of thorns, but the path of the upright is a highway.
20 A wise son maketh a glad father; but a foolish man despiseth his mother.
A wise son brings joy to his father, but a foolish man despises his mother.
21 Folly is joy to him that is void of sense; but a man of understanding regulateth his walk.
Folly is joy to one who lacks judgment, but a man of understanding walks a straight path.
22 Without counsel purposes are disappointed; but in the multitude of counsellors they are established.
Plans fail for lack of counsel, but with many advisers they succeed.
23 A man hath joy by the answer of his mouth; and a word in its season, how good is it!
A man takes joy in a fitting reply— and how good is a timely word!
The path of life leads upward for the wise, that he may avoid going down to Sheol. (Sheol h7585)
25 Jehovah plucketh up the house of the proud; but he establisheth the boundary of the widow.
The LORD tears down the house of the proud, but He protects the boundaries of the widow.
26 The thoughts of the evil [man] are an abomination to Jehovah; but pure words are pleasant.
The LORD detests the thoughts of the wicked, but the words of the pure are pleasant to Him.
27 He that is greedy of gain troubleth his own house; but he that hateth gifts shall live.
He who is greedy for unjust gain brings trouble on his household, but he who hates bribes will live.
28 The heart of a righteous [man] studieth to answer; but the mouth of the wicked poureth out evil things.
The heart of the righteous ponders how to answer, but the mouth of the wicked blurts out evil.
29 Jehovah is far from the wicked; but he heareth the prayer of the righteous.
The LORD is far from the wicked, but He hears the prayer of the righteous.
30 That which enlighteneth the eyes rejoiceth the heart; good tidings make the bones fat.
The light of the eyes cheers the heart, and good news nourishes the bones.
31 The ear that heareth the reproof of life shall abide among the wise.
He who listens to life-giving reproof will dwell among the wise.
32 He that refuseth instruction despiseth his own soul; but he that heareth reproof getteth sense.
He who ignores discipline despises himself, but whoever heeds correction gains understanding.
33 The fear of Jehovah is the discipline of wisdom, and before honour [goeth] humility.
The fear of the LORD is the instruction of wisdom, and humility comes before honor.
