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