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 mouths of fools gush out folly.
3 The eyes of Jehovah are in every place, beholding the evil and the good.
Yahweh’s eyes are everywhere, keeping watch on the evil and the good.
4 Gentleness of tongue is a tree of life; but crookedness therein is a breaking of the spirit.
A gentle tongue is a tree of life, but deceit in it crushes the spirit.
5 A fool despiseth his father's instruction; but he that regardeth reproof becometh prudent.
A fool despises his father’s correction, but he who heeds reproof shows prudence.
6 In the house of a righteous [man] is much treasure; but in the revenue of a wicked [man] is disturbance.
In the house of the righteous is much treasure, but the income of the wicked brings trouble.
7 The lips of the wise disperse knowledge, but not so the heart of the foolish.
The lips of the wise spread knowledge; not so with the heart of fools.
8 The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination to Jehovah; but the prayer of the upright is his delight.
The sacrifice made by the wicked is an abomination to Yahweh, 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 way of the wicked is an abomination to Yahweh, but he loves him who follows after righteousness.
10 Grievous correction is for him that forsaketh the path; he that hateth reproof shall die.
There is stern discipline for one who forsakes the way. Whoever hates reproof shall die.
11 Sheol and destruction are before Jehovah; how much more then the hearts of the children of men! (Sheol h7585)
Sheol and Abaddon are before Yahweh— how much more then the hearts of the children of men! (Sheol h7585)
12 A scorner loveth not one that reproveth him; he will not go unto the wise.
A scoffer doesn’t love to be reproved; he will not go to the wise.
13 A joyful heart maketh a cheerful countenance; but by sorrow of heart the spirit is broken.
A glad heart makes a cheerful face, but an aching heart breaks the spirit.
14 The heart of an intelligent [man] seeketh knowledge; but the mouth of the foolish feedeth on folly.
The heart of one who has understanding seeks knowledge, but the mouths of fools feed on folly.
15 All the days of the afflicted are evil; but a cheerful heart is a continual feast.
All the days of the afflicted are wretched, but one who has a cheerful heart enjoys a continual feast.
16 Better is little with the fear of Jehovah than great store and disquietude therewith.
Better is little, with the fear of Yahweh, than great treasure with trouble.
17 Better is a meal of herbs where love is, than a fatted ox and hatred therewith.
Better is a dinner of herbs, where love is, than a fattened calf with hatred.
18 A furious man stirreth up contention; but he that is slow to anger appeaseth strife.
A wrathful man stirs up contention, but one who is slow to anger appeases strife.
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 sluggard is like a thorn patch, 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 makes a father glad, 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 is void of wisdom, but a man of understanding keeps his way straight.
22 Without counsel purposes are disappointed; but in the multitude of counsellors they are established.
Where there is no counsel, plans fail; but in a multitude of counselors they are established.
23 A man hath joy by the answer of his mouth; and a word in its season, how good is it!
Joy comes to a man with the reply of his mouth. How good is a word at the right time!
The path of life leads upward for the wise, to keep him from going downward to Sheol. (Sheol h7585)
25 Jehovah plucketh up the house of the proud; but he establisheth the boundary of the widow.
Yahweh will uproot the house of the proud, but he will keep the widow’s borders intact.
26 The thoughts of the evil [man] are an abomination to Jehovah; but pure words are pleasant.
Yahweh detests the thoughts of the wicked, but the thoughts of the pure are pleasing.
27 He that is greedy of gain troubleth his own house; but he that hateth gifts shall live.
He who is greedy for gain troubles his own house, 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 weighs answers, but the mouth of the wicked gushes out evil.
29 Jehovah is far from the wicked; but he heareth the prayer of the righteous.
Yahweh 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 rejoices the heart. Good news gives health to the bones.
31 The ear that heareth the reproof of life shall abide among the wise.
The ear that listens to reproof lives, and will be at home among the wise.
32 He that refuseth instruction despiseth his own soul; but he that heareth reproof getteth sense.
He who refuses correction despises his own soul, but he who listens to reproof gets understanding.
33 The fear of Jehovah is the discipline of wisdom, and before honour [goeth] humility.
The fear of Yahweh teaches wisdom. Before honor is humility.
