< Proverbs 15 >
1 A soft answer turneth away wrath; but a grievous word stirreth up anger.
A soft answer turns back fury, And a grievous word raises up anger.
2 The tongue of the wise useth knowledge aright; but the mouth of fools poureth out foolishness.
The tongue of the wise makes knowledge good, And the mouth of fools utters folly.
3 The eyes of the LORD are in every place, keeping watch upon the evil and the good.
The eyes of YHWH are in every place, Watching the evil and the good.
4 A soothing tongue is a tree of life; but perverseness therein is a wound to the spirit.
A healed tongue [is] a tree of life, And perverseness in it—a breach in the spirit.
5 A fool despiseth his father's correction; but he that regardeth reproof is prudent.
A fool despises the instruction of his father, And whoever is regarding reproof is prudent.
6 In the house of the righteous is much treasure; but in the revenues of the wicked is trouble.
Abundant strength [is in] the house of the righteous, And in the increase of the wicked—trouble.
7 The lips of the wise disperse knowledge; but the heart of the foolish is not stedfast.
The lips of the wise scatter knowledge, And the heart of fools [is] not right.
8 The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination to the LORD; but the prayer of the upright is His delight.
The sacrifice of the wicked [is] an abomination to YHWH, And the prayer of the upright [is] His delight.
9 The way of the wicked is an abomination to the LORD; but He loveth him that followeth after righteousness.
The way of the wicked [is] an abomination to YHWH, And He loves whoever is pursuing righteousness.
10 There is grievous correction for him that forsaketh the way; and he that hateth reproof shall die.
Discipline [is] grievous to him who is forsaking the path, Whoever is hating reproof dies.
11 The nether-world and Destruction are before the LORD; how much more then the hearts of the children of men! (Sheol )
Sheol and destruction [are] before YHWH, Surely also the hearts of the sons of men. (Sheol )
12 A scorner loveth not to be reproved; he will not go unto the wise.
A scorner does not love his reprover, He does not go to the wise.
13 A merry heart maketh a cheerful countenance; but by sorrow of heart the spirit is broken.
A joyful heart makes the face glad, And the spirit is struck by grief of heart.
14 The heart of him that hath discernment seeketh knowledge; but the mouth of fools feedeth on folly.
The heart of the intelligent seeks knowledge, And the mouth of fools enjoys folly.
15 All the days of the poor are evil; but he that is of a merry heart hath a continual feast.
All the days of the afflicted [are] evil, And gladness of heart [is] a perpetual banquet.
16 Better is little with the fear of the LORD, than great treasure and turmoil therewith.
Better [is] a little with the fear of YHWH, Than much treasure, and tumult with it.
17 Better is a dinner of herbs where love is, than a stalled ox and hatred therewith.
Better [is] an allowance of green herbs and love there, Than a fatted ox, and hatred with it.
18 A wrathful man stirreth up discord; but he that is slow to anger appeaseth strife.
A man of fury stirs up contention, And the slow to anger appeases strife.
19 The way of the sluggard is as though hedged by thorns; but the path of the upright is even.
The way of the slothful [is] as a hedge of briers, And the path of the upright is raised up.
20 A wise son maketh a glad father; but a foolish man despiseth his mother.
A wise son makes a father glad. And a foolish man is despising his mother.
21 Folly is joy to him that lacketh understanding; but a man of discernment walketh straightforwards.
Folly is joy to one lacking heart, And a man of intelligence directs [his] going.
22 For want of counsel purposes are frustrated; but in the multitude of counsellors they are established.
The making void of purposes [is] without counsel, And in a multitude of counselors it is established.
23 A man hath joy in the answer of his mouth; and a word in due season, how good is it!
Joy [is] to a man in the answer of his mouth, And a word in its season—how good!
24 The path of life goeth upward for the wise, that he may depart from the nether-world beneath. (Sheol )
A path of life [is] on high for the wise, To turn aside from Sheol beneath. (Sheol )
25 The LORD will pluck up the house of the proud; but He will establish the border of the widow.
YHWH pulls down the house of the proud, And He sets up the border of the widow.
26 The thoughts of wickedness are an abomination to the LORD; but words of pleasantness are pure.
Thoughts of wickedness [are] an abomination to YHWH, And sayings of pleasantness [are] pure.
27 He that is greedy of gain troubleth his own house; but he that hateth gifts shall live.
A dishonest gainer is troubling his house, And whoever is hating gifts lives.
28 The heart of the righteous studieth to answer; but the mouth of the wicked poureth out evil things.
The heart of the righteous meditates to answer, And the mouth of the wicked utters evil things.
29 The LORD is far from the wicked; but He heareth the prayer of the righteous.
YHWH [is] far from the wicked, And He hears the prayer of the righteous.
30 The light of the eyes rejoiceth the heart; and a good report maketh the bones fat.
The light of the eyes makes the heart glad, A good report makes the bone fat.
31 The ear that hearkeneth to the reproof of life abideth among the wise.
An ear that is hearing the reproof of life Lodges among the wise.
32 He that refuseth correction despiseth his own soul; but he that hearkeneth to reproof getteth understanding.
Whoever is refusing instruction is despising his soul, And whoever is hearing reproof Is getting understanding.
33 The fear of the LORD is the instruction of wisdom; and before honour goeth humility.
The fear of YHWH [is] the instruction of wisdom, And humility [is] before honor!