< Proverbs 15 >
1 A soft answer turneth away fury; but a grievous word stirreth up anger.
A soft answer turneth back fury, And a grievous word raiseth 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 maketh knowledge good, And the mouth of fools uttereth folly.
3 The eyes of Jehovah are in every place, beholding the evil and the good.
In every place are the eyes of Jehovah, Watching the evil and the good.
4 Gentleness of tongue is a tree of life; but crookedness therein is a breaking of the spirit.
A healed tongue [is] a tree of life, And perverseness in it — a breach in the spirit.
5 A fool despiseth his father's instruction; but he that regardeth reproof becometh prudent.
A fool despiseth the instruction of his father, And whoso is regarding reproof is prudent.
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] abundant strength, And in the increase of the wicked — trouble.
7 The lips of the wise disperse knowledge, but not so the heart of the foolish.
The lips of the wise scatter knowledge, And the heart of fools [is] not right.
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] an abomination to Jehovah, And 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.
An abomination to Jehovah [is] the way of the wicked, And whoso is pursuing righteousness He loveth.
10 Grievous correction is for him that forsaketh the path; he that hateth reproof shall die.
Chastisement [is] grievous to him who is forsaking the path, Whoso is hating reproof dieth.
11 Sheol and destruction are before Jehovah; how much more then the hearts of the children of men! (Sheol )
Sheol and destruction [are] before Jehovah, Surely also the hearts of the sons of men. (Sheol )
12 A scorner loveth not one that reproveth him; he will not go unto the wise.
A scorner loveth not his reprover, Unto the wise he goeth not.
13 A joyful heart maketh a cheerful countenance; but by sorrow of heart the spirit is broken.
A joyful heart maketh glad the face, And by grief of heart is the spirit smitten.
14 The heart of an intelligent [man] seeketh knowledge; but the mouth of the foolish feedeth on folly.
The heart of the intelligent seeketh knowledge, And the mouth of fools enjoyeth 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] evil, And gladness of heart [is] a perpetual banquet.
16 Better is little with the fear of Jehovah than great store and disquietude therewith.
Better [is] a little with the fear of Jehovah, Than much treasure, and tumult with it.
17 Better is a meal of herbs where love is, than a fatted ox and hatred therewith.
Better [is] an allowance of green herbs and love there, Than a fatted ox, and hatred with it.
18 A furious man stirreth up contention; but he that is slow to anger appeaseth strife.
A man of fury stirreth up contention, And the slow to anger appeaseth 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 slothful [is] as a hedge of briers, And the path of the upright is raised up.
20 A wise son maketh a glad father; but a foolish man despiseth his mother.
A wise son rejoiceth a father. And a foolish man is despising 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 lacking heart, And a man of intelligence directeth [his] going.
22 Without counsel purposes are disappointed; but in the multitude of counsellors they are established.
Without counsel [is] the making void of purposes, And in a multitude of counsellors it is established.
23 A man hath joy by the answer of his mouth; and a word in its season, how good is it!
Joy [is] to a man in the answer of his mouth, And a word in its season — how good!
24 The path of life is upwards for the wise, that he may depart from Sheol beneath. (Sheol )
A path of life [is] on high for the wise, To turn aside from Sheol beneath. (Sheol )
25 Jehovah plucketh up the house of the proud; but he establisheth the boundary of the widow.
The house of the proud Jehovah pulleth down, And He setteth up the border of the widow.
26 The thoughts of the evil [man] are an abomination to Jehovah; but pure words are pleasant.
An abomination to Jehovah [are] thoughts of wickedness, And pure [are] sayings of pleasantness.
27 He that is greedy of gain troubleth his own house; but he that hateth gifts shall live.
A dishonest gainer is troubling his house, And whoso is hating gifts liveth.
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 meditateth to answer, And the mouth of the wicked uttereth evil things.
29 Jehovah is far from the wicked; but he heareth the prayer of the righteous.
Far [is] Jehovah from the wicked, And the prayer of the righteous He heareth.
30 That which enlighteneth the eyes rejoiceth the heart; good tidings make the bones fat.
The light of the eyes rejoiceth the heart, A good report maketh fat the bone.
31 The ear that heareth the reproof of life shall abide among the wise.
An ear that is hearing the reproof of life Doth lodge among the wise.
32 He that refuseth instruction despiseth his own soul; but he that heareth reproof getteth sense.
Whoso is refusing instruction is despising his soul, And whoso is hearing reproof Is getting understanding.
33 The fear of Jehovah is the discipline of wisdom, and before honour [goeth] humility.
The fear of Jehovah [is] the instruction of wisdom, And before honour [is] humility!