Proverbs 15
1 A soft answer turneth away wrath; but a grievous word stirreth up anger.
Anger slays even wise men; yet a submissive answer turns away wrath: but a grievous word stirs up anger.
2 The tongue of the wise useth knowledge aright; but the mouth of fools poureth out foolishness.
The tongue of the wise knows what is good: but the mouth of the foolish tells out evil things.
3 The eyes of the LORD are in every place, keeping watch upon the evil and the good.
The eyes of the Lord behold both the evil and the good in every place.
4 A soothing tongue is a tree of life; but perverseness therein is a wound to the spirit.
The wholesome tongue is a tree of life, and he that keeps it shall be filled with understanding.
5 A fool despiseth his father's correction; but he that regardeth reproof is prudent.
A fool scorns his father's instruction; but he that keeps his commandments is more prudent. In abounding righteousness is great strength: but the ungodly shall utterly perish from the earth.
6 In the house of the righteous is much treasure; but in the revenues of the wicked is trouble.
In the houses of the righteous is much strength: but the fruits of the ungodly shall perish.
7 The lips of the wise disperse knowledge; but the heart of the foolish is not stedfast.
The lips of the wise are bound by discretion: but the hearts of the foolish are not safe.
8 The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination to the LORD; but the prayer of the upright is His delight.
The sacrifices of the ungodly are an abomination to the Lord; but the prayers of them that walk honestly are acceptable with him.
9 The way of the wicked is an abomination to the LORD; but He loveth him that followeth after righteousness.
The ways of an ungodly [man] are an abomination to the Lord; but he loves those that follow after righteousness.
10 There is grievous correction for him that forsaketh the way; and he that hateth reproof shall die.
The instruction of the simple is known by them that pass by; but they that hate reproofs die disgracefully.
11 The nether-world and Destruction are before the LORD; how much more then the hearts of the children of men! (Sheol h7585)
Hell and destruction are manifest to the Lord; how shall not also be the hearts of men? (Sheol h7585)
12 A scorner loveth not to be reproved; he will not go unto the wise.
An uninstructed person will not love those that reprove him; neither will he associate with the wise.
13 A merry heart maketh a cheerful countenance; but by sorrow of heart the spirit is broken.
When the heart rejoices the countenance is cheerful; but when it is in sorrow, [the countenance] is sad.
14 The heart of him that hath discernment seeketh knowledge; but the mouth of fools feedeth on folly.
An upright heart seeks discretion; but the mouth of the uninstructed will experience evils.
15 All the days of the poor are evil; but he that is of a merry heart hath a continual feast.
The eyes of the wicked are always looking for evil things; but the good are always quiet.
16 Better is little with the fear of the LORD, than great treasure and turmoil therewith.
Better is a small portion with the fear of the Lord, than great treasures without the fear [of the Lord].
17 Better is a dinner of herbs where love is, than a stalled ox and hatred therewith.
Better is an entertainment of herbs with friendliness and kindness, than a feast of calves, with enmity.
18 A wrathful man stirreth up discord; but he that is slow to anger appeaseth strife.
A passionate man stirs up strife; but [he that is] slow to anger appeases even a rising one. A man slow to anger will extinguish quarrels; but an ungodly man rather stirs [them] up.
19 The way of the sluggard is as though hedged by thorns; but the path of the upright is even.
The ways of sluggards are strewn with thorns; but those of the diligent are made smooth.
20 A wise son maketh a glad father; but a foolish man despiseth his mother.
A wise son gladdens [his] father; but a foolish son sneers at his mother.
21 Folly is joy to him that lacketh understanding; but a man of discernment walketh straightforwards.
The ways of a foolish man are void of sense; but a wise man proceeds on his way aright.
22 For want of counsel purposes are frustrated; but in the multitude of counsellors they are established.
They that honour not councils put off deliberation; but counsel abides in the hearts of counsellors.
23 A man hath joy in the answer of his mouth; and a word in due season, how good is it!
A bad man will by no means attend to counsel; neither will he say anything seasonable, or good for the common [weal].
24 The path of life goeth upward for the wise, that he may depart from the nether-world beneath. (Sheol h7585)
The thoughts of the wise are ways of life, that he may turn aside and escape from hell. (Sheol h7585)
25 The LORD will pluck up the house of the proud; but He will establish the border of the widow.
The Lord pulls down the houses of scorners; but he establishes the border of the widow.
26 The thoughts of wickedness are an abomination to the LORD; but words of pleasantness are pure.
An unrighteous thought is abomination to the Lord; but the sayings of the pure are held in honour.
27 He that is greedy of gain troubleth his own house; but he that hateth gifts shall live.
A receiver of bribes destroys himself; but he that hates the receiving of bribes is safe. [By alms and by faithful dealings ] [sins are purged away; ] but by the fear of the Lord every one departs from evil.
28 The heart of the righteous studieth to answer; but the mouth of the wicked poureth out evil things.
The hearts of the righteous meditate faithfulness; but the mouth of the ungodly answers evil things. The ways of righteous men are acceptable with the Lord; and through them even enemies become friends.
29 The LORD is far from the wicked; but He heareth the prayer of the righteous.
God is far from the ungodly; but he hearkens to the prayers of the righteous. Better are small receipts with righteousness, than abundant fruits with unrighteousness. Let the heart of a man think justly, that his steps may be rightly ordered of God. The eye that sees rightly rejoices the heart; and a good report fattens the bones.
30 The light of the eyes rejoiceth the heart; and a good report maketh the bones fat.
31 The ear that hearkeneth to the reproof of life abideth among the wise.
32 He that refuseth correction despiseth his own soul; but he that hearkeneth to reproof getteth understanding.
He that rejects instruction hates himself; but he that mind reproofs loves his soul.
33 The fear of the LORD is the instruction of wisdom; and before honour goeth humility.
The fear of the Lord is instruction and wisdom; and the highest honour will correspond therewith.
