Proverbs 15
1 A kind reply wards off anger, but hurtful words make people mad.
A soft answer turneth away wrath; But harsh 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 maketh knowledge pleasing; But the mouth of fools poureth forth folly.
3 The Lord sees everywhere, watching the evil and the good.
The eyes of the LORD are in every place; They behold the evil and the good.
4 Gentle words are a source of life, but telling lies does a lot of damage.
A mild tongue is a tree of life; But perverseness therein is a wound in the spirit.
5 Only a foolish son despises his father's instruction, but one who accepts correction is sensible.
The fool despiseth the correction of his father; But he that regardeth 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 wealth; But in the revenues of the wicked there is trouble.
7 Wise people share their knowledge, but stupid people don't think like that.
The lips of the wise spread abroad knowledge; But the heart of the foolish is not sound.
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 righteous 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 him who followeth after righteousness he loveth.
10 If you leave the right path you will be severely disciplined; anyone who hates correction will die.
Sore chastisement shall be to him that forsaketh the way; He that hateth reproof shall die.
11 Those already dead have no secrets from the Lord—how much more does he know our thoughts! (Sheol h7585)
The underworld, yea, the region of death, is before the LORD; How much more the hearts of the sons of men! (Sheol h7585)
12 Scoffers don't like to be corrected, so they don't go to the wise for advice.
The scoffer loveth not his reprover; He will not resort to the wise.
13 If you're happy inside, you'll have a cheerful face, but if you're sad, you look crushed.
A joyous heart maketh a bright 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 the man of understanding seeketh knowledge; But the mouth of fools feedeth on folly.
15 The life of poor people is hard, but if you stay cheerful, it's a continual feast.
The days of the afflicted are all evil; But he that hath a cheerful heart hath 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 a little, with the fear of the LORD, Than much 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 there is love, Than a fatted ox, and hatred therewith.
18 Short-tempered people stir up trouble, but those slow to anger calm things down.
The passionate man stirreth up strife; But he who is slow to anger appeaseth 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 is as a hedge of thorns; But the way of the righteous is a highway.
20 A wise son makes his father happy, but a stupid man despises his mother.
A wise son maketh a glad father; But a foolish man despiseth his mother.
21 Stupidity makes people with no sense happy, but sensible people do what is right.
Folly is joy to him who lacketh wisdom; But the man of understanding walketh uprightly.
22 Plans fall apart without good advice, but with plenty of advisors they're successful.
Without counsel, plans come to nought; But with a 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 hath joy by the answer of his mouth; And a word in due season, how good it is!
The path of life is upward for the wise, So that he turneth away from the underworld 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 destroyeth 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.
Evil devices are an abomination to the LORD; But pleasant words are pure.
27 People greedy for ill-gotten gains make trouble for their families, but those who hate bribes will live.
He who is greedy of gain troubleth his own house; But he who hateth bribes 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 meditateth on his answer; But the mouth of the wicked poureth 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 heareth the prayer of the righteous.
30 Bright eyes make you happy, and good news makes you feel good.
The light of the eyes rejoiceth the heart, And good tidings make the bones fat.
31 If you pay attention to positive advice you'll be one of the wise.
The ear that hearkeneth to the reproof of life Shall dwell among the wise.
32 If you ignore instruction you have no self-esteem, but if you listen to correction you gain understanding.
He that refuseth instruction despiseth his own life; But he that hearkeneth to rebuke getteth understanding.
33 Respect for the Lord teaches wisdom; humility goes before honor.
The fear of the LORD guideth to wisdom, And before honor is humility.
