Proverbs 15
1 A mild answer breaketh wrath: but a harsh word stirreth up fury.
A kind reply wards off anger, but hurtful words make people mad.
2 The tongue of the wise adorneth knowledge: but the mouth of fools bubbleth out folly.
What wise people say makes knowledge attractive, but stupid people talk a lot of nonsense.
3 The eyes of the Lord in every place behold the good and the evil.
The Lord sees everywhere, watching the evil and the good.
4 A peaceable tongue is a tree of life: but that which is immoderate, shall crush the spirit.
Gentle words are a source of life, but telling lies does a lot of damage.
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.
Only a foolish son despises his father's instruction, but one who accepts correction is sensible.
6 The house of the just is very much strength: and in the fruits of the wicked is trouble.
There's plenty of treasure where good people live, but the income of the wicked brings them trouble.
7 The lips of the wise shall disperse knowledge: the heart of fools shall be unlike.
Wise people share their knowledge, but stupid people don't think like that.
8 The victims of the wicked are abominable to the Lord: the vows of the just are acceptable.
The Lord hates the sacrifices of the wicked, but he loves the prayers of the good.
9 The way of the wicked is an abomination to the Lord: he that followeth justice is beloved by him.
The Lord hates the ways of the wicked, but he loves those who do what is right.
10 Instruction is grievous to him that forsaketh the way of life: he that hateth reproof shall die.
If you leave the right path you will be severely disciplined; anyone 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)
Those already dead have no secrets from the Lord—how much more does he know our thoughts! (Sheol h7585)
12 A corrupt man loveth not one that reproveth him: nor will he go to the wise.
Scoffers don't like to be corrected, so they don't go to the wise for advice.
13 A glad heart maketh a cheerful countenance: but by grief of mind the spirit is cast down.
If you're happy inside, you'll have a cheerful face, but if you're sad, you look crushed.
14 The heart of the wise seeketh instruction: and the mouth of fools feedeth on foolishness.
An insightful mind looks for knowledge, but stupid people feed on foolishness.
15 All the days of the poor are evil: a secure mind is like a continual feast.
The life of poor people is hard, but if you stay cheerful, it's a continual feast.
16 Better is a little with the fear of the Lord, than great treasures without content,
It's better to respect the Lord and only have a little than to have plenty of money and the trouble that comes with it.
17 It is better to be invited to herbs with love, than to a fatted calf with hatred.
Better a dinner of vegetables where there's love than eating meat with hatred.
18 A passionate man stirreth up strifes: he that is patient appeaseth those that are stirred up.
Short-tempered people stir up trouble, but those slow to anger calm things down.
19 The way of the slothful is as a hedge of thorns; the way of the just is without offence.
The way of lazy people is overgrown with thorns, but the path of the good is an open highway.
20 A wise son maketh a father joyful: but the foolish man despiseth his mother.
A wise son makes his father happy, but a stupid man despises his mother.
21 Folly is joy to the fool: and the wise man maketh straight his steps.
Stupidity makes people with no sense happy, but sensible people do what is right.
22 Designs are brought to nothing where there is no counsel: but where there are many counsellors, they are established.
Plans fall apart without good advice, but with plenty of advisors they're successful.
23 A man rejoiceth in the sentence of his mouth: and a word in due time is best.
A good answer makes people happy—it's great to say the right thing at the right moment!
Life's path for the wise leads upwards, so that they can avoid the grave below. (Sheol h7585)
25 The Lord will destroy the house of the proud: and will strengthen the borders of the widow.
The Lord pulls down the house of the proud, but he protects the boundaries of the widow's property.
26 Evil thoughts are an abomination to the Lord: and pure words most beautiful shall be confirmed by him.
The Lord hates the thoughts of the wicked, but he honors the words of the pure.
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.
People greedy for ill-gotten gains make trouble for their families, but those who hate bribes will live.
28 The mind of the just studieth obedience: the mouth of the wicked over floweth with evils.
Good people think how best to answer questions, but stupid people say all kinds of evil things.
29 The Lord is far from the wicked: and he will hear the prayers of the just.
The Lord keeps his distance from the wicked, but he hears the prayers of the good.
30 The light of the eyes rejoiceth the soul: a good name maketh the bones fat.
Bright eyes make you happy, and good news makes you feel good.
31 The ear that heareth the reproofs of life, shall abide in the midst of the wise.
If you pay attention to positive advice you'll be one of the wise.
32 He that rejecteth instruction, despiseth his own soul: but he that yieldeth to reproof possesseth understanding.
If you ignore instruction you have no self-esteem, but if you listen to correction you gain understanding.
33 The fear of the Lord is the lesson of wisdom: and humility goeth before glory.
Respect for the Lord teaches wisdom; humility goes before honor.
