Proverbs 15
1 A mild answer breaketh wrath: but a harsh word stirreth up fury.
A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.
2 The tongue of the wise adorneth knowledge: but the mouth of fools bubbleth out folly.
The tongue of the wise commends knowledge, but the mouth of the fool spouts folly.
3 The eyes of the Lord in every place behold the good and the evil.
The eyes of the LORD are in every place, observing the evil and the good.
4 A peaceable tongue is a tree of life: but that which is immoderate, shall crush the spirit.
A soothing tongue is a tree of life, but a perverse tongue crushes the spirit.
5 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.
A fool rejects his father’s discipline, but whoever heeds correction is prudent.
6 The house of the just is very much strength: and in the fruits of the wicked is trouble.
The house of the righteous has great treasure, but the income of the wicked is trouble.
7 The lips of the wise shall disperse knowledge: the heart of fools shall be unlike.
The lips of the wise spread knowledge, but not so the hearts of fools.
8 The victims of the wicked are abominable to the Lord: the vows of the just are acceptable.
The sacrifice of the wicked is detestable to the LORD, but the prayer of the upright is His delight.
9 The way of the wicked is an abomination to the Lord: he that followeth justice is beloved by him.
The LORD detests the way of the wicked, but He loves those who pursue righteousness.
10 Instruction is grievous to him that forsaketh the way of life: he that hateth reproof shall die.
Discipline is harsh for him who leaves the path; he who hates correction will die.
11 Hell and destruction are before the Lord: how much more 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 corrupt man loveth not one that reproveth him: nor will he go to the wise.
A mocker does not love to be reproved, nor will he consult the wise.
13 A glad heart maketh a cheerful countenance: but by grief of mind the spirit is cast down.
A joyful heart makes a cheerful countenance, but sorrow of the heart crushes the spirit.
14 The heart of the wise seeketh instruction: and the mouth of fools feedeth on foolishness.
A discerning heart seeks knowledge, but the mouth of a fool feeds on folly.
15 All the days of the poor are evil: a secure mind is like a continual feast.
All the days of the oppressed are bad, but a cheerful heart has a continual feast.
16 Better is a little with the fear of the Lord, than great treasures without content,
Better a little with the fear of the LORD than great treasure with turmoil.
17 It is better to be invited to herbs with love, than to a fatted calf with hatred.
Better a dish of vegetables where there is love than a fattened ox with hatred.
18 A passionate man stirreth up strifes: he that is patient appeaseth those that are stirred up.
A hot-tempered man stirs up strife, but he who is slow to anger calms dispute.
19 The way of the slothful is as a hedge of thorns; the way of the just is without offence.
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 father joyful: but the 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 the fool: and the wise man maketh straight his steps.
Folly is joy to one who lacks judgment, but a man of understanding walks a straight path.
22 Designs are brought to nothing where there is no counsel: but where there are many counsellors, they are established.
Plans fail for lack of counsel, but with many advisers they succeed.
23 A man rejoiceth in the sentence of his mouth: and a word in due time is best.
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 The Lord will destroy the house of the proud: and will strengthen the borders of the widow.
The LORD tears down the house of the proud, but He protects the boundaries of the widow.
26 Evil thoughts are an abomination to the Lord: and pure words most beautiful shall be confirmed by him.
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 bribes shall live. By mercy and faith sins are purged away: and by the fear of the Lord every one declineth from evil.
He who is greedy for unjust gain brings trouble on his household, but he who hates bribes will live.
28 The mind of the just studieth obedience: the mouth of the wicked over floweth with evils.
The heart of the righteous ponders how to answer, but the mouth of the wicked blurts out evil.
29 The Lord is far from the wicked: and he will hear the prayers of the just.
The LORD is far from the wicked, but He hears the prayer of the righteous.
30 The light of the eyes rejoiceth the soul: a good name maketh the bones fat.
The light of the eyes cheers the heart, and good news nourishes the bones.
31 The ear that heareth the reproofs of life, shall abide in the midst of the wise.
He who listens to life-giving reproof will dwell among the wise.
32 He that rejecteth instruction, despiseth his own soul: but he that yieldeth to reproof possesseth understanding.
He who ignores discipline despises himself, but whoever heeds correction gains understanding.
33 The fear of the Lord is the lesson of wisdom: and humility goeth before glory.
The fear of the LORD is the instruction of wisdom, and humility comes before honor.
