Proverbs 15
1 A SOFT answer turneth away wrath: but grievous words stir 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, beholding the evil and the good.
The eyes of the Lord behold both the evil and the good in every place.
4 A wholesome tongue is a tree of life: but perverseness therein is a breach in 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 instruction: 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 doeth not so.
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 unto 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 Correction is grievous unto 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 Hell 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 one that reproveth him: neither will he 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 the 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 understanding seeketh knowledge: but the mouth of fools feedeth on foolishness.
An upright heart seeks discretion; but the mouth of the uninstructed will experience evils.
15 All the days of the afflicted 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 trouble 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 strife: 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 slothful man is as an hedge of thorns: but the way of the righteous is made plain.
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 is destitute of wisdom: but a man of understanding walketh uprightly.
The ways of a foolish man are void of sense; but a wise man proceeds on his way aright.
22 Without counsel purposes are disappointed: but in the multitude of counsellers they are established.
They that honour not councils put off deliberation; but counsel abides in the hearts of counsellors.
23 A man hath joy by the answer of his mouth: and a word spoken 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].
The thoughts of the wise are ways of life, that he may turn aside and escape from hell. (Sheol h7585)
25 The Lord will destroy 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 the wicked are an abomination to the Lord: but the words of the pure are pleasant words.
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 heareth the reproof of life abideth among the wise.
32 He that refuseth instruction despiseth his own soul: but he that heareth 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 is humility.
The fear of the Lord is instruction and wisdom; and the highest honour will correspond therewith.
