Proverbs 15
1 A kind reply wards off anger, but hurtful words make people mad.
A soft answer turns away wrath: but grievous words stir up anger.
2 What wise people say makes knowledge attractive, but stupid people talk a lot of nonsense.
The tongue of the wise uses knowledge aright: but the mouth of fools pours out foolishness.
3 The Lord sees everywhere, watching the evil and the good.
The eyes of the LORD are in every place, beholding the evil and the good.
4 Gentle words are a source of life, but telling lies does a lot of damage.
A wholesome tongue is a tree of life: but perverseness therein is a breach in the spirit.
5 Only a foolish son despises his father's instruction, but one who accepts correction is sensible.
A fool despises his father’s instruction: but he that regards reproof is prudent.
6 There's plenty of treasure where good people live, but the income of the wicked brings them trouble.
In the house of the righteous is much treasure: but in the revenues of the wicked is trouble.
7 Wise people share their knowledge, but stupid people don't think like that.
The lips of the wise disperse knowledge: but the heart of the foolish does not so.
8 The Lord hates the sacrifices of the wicked, but he loves the prayers of the good.
The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination to the LORD: but the prayer of the upright is his delight.
9 The Lord hates the ways of the wicked, but he loves those who do what is right.
The way of the wicked is an abomination to the LORD: but he loves him that follows after righteousness.
10 If you leave the right path you will be severely disciplined; anyone who hates correction will die.
Correction is grievous to him that forsakes the way: and he that hates reproof shall die.
11 Those already dead have no secrets from the Lord—how much more does he know our thoughts! (Sheol h7585)
Hell and destruction are before the LORD: how much more then the hearts of the children of men? (Sheol h7585)
12 Scoffers don't like to be corrected, so they don't go to the wise for advice.
A scorner loves not one that reproves him: neither will he go to the wise.
13 If you're happy inside, you'll have a cheerful face, but if you're sad, you look crushed.
A merry heart makes a cheerful countenance: but by sorrow of the heart the spirit is broken.
14 An insightful mind looks for knowledge, but stupid people feed on foolishness.
The heart of him that has understanding seeks knowledge: but the mouth of fools feeds on foolishness.
15 The life of poor people is hard, but if you stay cheerful, it's a continual feast.
All the days of the afflicted are evil: but he that is of a merry heart has a continual feast.
16 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.
Better is little with the fear of the LORD than great treasure and trouble therewith.
17 Better a dinner of vegetables where there's love than eating meat with hatred.
Better is a dinner of herbs where love is, than a stalled ox and hatred therewith.
18 Short-tempered people stir up trouble, but those slow to anger calm things down.
A wrathful man stirs up strife: but he that is slow to anger appeases strife.
19 The way of lazy people is overgrown with thorns, but the path of the good is an open highway.
The way of the slothful man is as an hedge of thorns: but the way of the righteous is made plain.
20 A wise son makes his father happy, but a stupid man despises his mother.
A wise son makes a glad father: but a foolish man despises his mother.
21 Stupidity makes people with no sense happy, but sensible people do what is right.
Folly is joy to him that is destitute of wisdom: but a man of understanding walks uprightly.
22 Plans fall apart without good advice, but with plenty of advisors they're successful.
Without counsel purposes are disappointed: but in the multitude of counsellors they are established.
23 A good answer makes people happy—it's great to say the right thing at the right moment!
A man has joy by the answer of his mouth: and a word spoken in due season, how good is it!
The way of life is above to the wise, that he may depart from hell beneath. (Sheol h7585)
25 The Lord pulls down the house of the proud, but he protects the boundaries of the widow's property.
The LORD will destroy the house of the proud: but he will establish the border of the widow.
26 The Lord hates the thoughts of the wicked, but he honors the words of the pure.
The thoughts of the wicked are an abomination to the LORD: but the words of the pure are pleasant words.
27 People greedy for ill-gotten gains make trouble for their families, but those who hate bribes will live.
He that is greedy of gain troubles his own house; but he that hates gifts shall live.
28 Good people think how best to answer questions, but stupid people say all kinds of evil things.
The heart of the righteous studies to answer: but the mouth of the wicked pours out evil things.
29 The Lord keeps his distance from the wicked, but he hears the prayers of the good.
The LORD is far from the wicked: but he hears the prayer of the righteous.
30 Bright eyes make you happy, and good news makes you feel good.
The light of the eyes rejoices the heart: and a good report makes the bones fat.
31 If you pay attention to positive advice you'll be one of the wise.
The ear that hears the reproof of life stays among the wise.
32 If you ignore instruction you have no self-esteem, but if you listen to correction you gain understanding.
He that refuses instruction despises his own soul: but he that hears reproof gets understanding.
33 Respect for the Lord teaches wisdom; humility goes before honor.
The fear of the LORD is the instruction of wisdom; and before honor is humility.
