< Proverbs 15 >
1 A soft answer turneth away fury; but a grievous word stirreth up anger.
A mild answer breaketh wrath: but a harsh word stirreth up fury.
2 The tongue of the wise useth knowledge aright; but the mouth of the foolish poureth out folly.
The tongue of the wise adorneth knowledge: but the mouth of fools bubbleth out folly.
3 The eyes of Jehovah are in every place, beholding the evil and the good.
The eyes of the Lord in every place behold the good and the evil.
4 Gentleness of tongue is a tree of life; but crookedness therein is a breaking of the spirit.
A peaceable tongue is a tree of life: but that which is immoderate, shall crush the spirit.
5 A fool despiseth his father's instruction; but he that regardeth reproof becometh prudent.
A fool laugheth at the instruction of his father: but he that regardeth reproofs shall become prudent. In abundant justice there is the greatest strength: but the devices of the wicked shall be rooted out.
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 just is very much strength: and in the fruits 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 shall disperse knowledge: the heart of fools shall be unlike.
8 The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination to Jehovah; but the prayer of the upright is his delight.
The victims of the wicked are abominable to the Lord: the vows of the just are acceptable.
9 The way of a wicked [man] is an abomination to Jehovah; but him that pursueth righteousness he loveth.
The way of the wicked is an abomination to the Lord: he that followeth justice is beloved by him.
10 Grievous correction is for him that forsaketh the path; he that hateth reproof shall die.
Instruction is grievous to him that forsaketh the way of life: he that hateth reproof shall die.
11 Sheol and destruction are before Jehovah; how much more then the hearts of the children of men! (Sheol )
Hell and destruction are before the Lord: how much more the hearts of the children of men? (Sheol )
12 A scorner loveth not one that reproveth him; he will not go unto the wise.
A corrupt man loveth not one that reproveth him: nor will he go to the wise.
13 A joyful heart maketh a cheerful countenance; but by sorrow of heart the spirit is broken.
A glad heart maketh a cheerful countenance: but by grief of mind the spirit is cast down.
14 The heart of an intelligent [man] seeketh knowledge; but the mouth of the foolish feedeth on folly.
The heart of the wise seeketh instruction: and the mouth of fools feedeth on foolishness.
15 All the days of the afflicted are evil; but a cheerful heart is a continual feast.
All the days of the poor are evil: a secure mind is like a continual feast.
16 Better is little with the fear of Jehovah than great store and disquietude therewith.
Better is a little with the fear of the Lord, than great treasures without content,
17 Better is a meal of herbs where love is, than a fatted ox and hatred therewith.
It is better to be invited to herbs with love, than to a fatted calf with hatred.
18 A furious man stirreth up contention; but he that is slow to anger appeaseth strife.
A passionate man stirreth up strifes: he that is patient appeaseth those that are stirred up.
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 slothful is as a hedge of thorns; the way of the just is without offence.
20 A wise son maketh a glad father; but a foolish man despiseth his mother.
A wise son maketh a father joyful: but the foolish man despiseth 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 the fool: and the wise man maketh straight his steps.
22 Without counsel purposes are disappointed; but in the multitude of counsellors they are established.
Designs are brought to nothing where there is no counsel: but where there are many counsellors, they are established.
23 A man hath joy by the answer of his mouth; and a word in its season, how good is it!
A man rejoiceth in the sentence of his mouth: and a word in due time is best.
24 The path of life is upwards for the wise, that he may depart from Sheol beneath. (Sheol )
The path of life is above for the wise, that he may decline from the lowest hell. (Sheol )
25 Jehovah plucketh up the house of the proud; but he establisheth the boundary of the widow.
The Lord will destroy the house of the proud: and will strengthen the borders of the widow.
26 The thoughts of the evil [man] are an abomination to Jehovah; but pure words are pleasant.
Evil thoughts are an abomination to the Lord: and pure words most beautiful shall be confirmed by him.
27 He that is greedy of gain troubleth his own house; but he that hateth gifts shall live.
He that is greedy of gain troubleth his own house: but he that hateth bribes shall live. By mercy and faith sins are purged away: and by the fear of the Lord every one declineth from evil.
28 The heart of a righteous [man] studieth to answer; but the mouth of the wicked poureth out evil things.
The mind of the just studieth obedience: the mouth of the wicked over floweth with evils.
29 Jehovah is far from the wicked; but he heareth the prayer of the righteous.
The Lord is far from the wicked: and he will hear the prayers of the just.
30 That which enlighteneth the eyes rejoiceth the heart; good tidings make the bones fat.
The light of the eyes rejoiceth the soul: a good name maketh the bones fat.
31 The ear that heareth the reproof of life shall abide among the wise.
The ear that heareth the reproofs of life, shall abide in the midst of the wise.
32 He that refuseth instruction despiseth his own soul; but he that heareth reproof getteth sense.
He that rejecteth instruction, despiseth his own soul: but he that yieldeth to reproof possesseth understanding.
33 The fear of Jehovah is the discipline of wisdom, and before honour [goeth] humility.
The fear of the Lord is the lesson of wisdom: and humility goeth before glory.