Proverbs 15
1 A soft answer turns away wrath: but grievous words stir up anger.
A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.
2 The tongue of the wise uses knowledge aright: but the mouth of fools pours out foolishness.
The tongue of the wise commends knowledge, but the mouth of fools gush out folly.
3 The eyes of the LORD are in every place, beholding the evil and the good.
Adonai’s eyes are everywhere, keeping watch on the evil and the good.
4 A wholesome tongue is a tree of life: but perverseness therein is a breach in the spirit.
A gentle tongue is a tree of life, but deceit in it crushes the spirit.
5 A fool despises his father's instruction: but he that regards reproof is prudent.
A fool despises his father’s correction, but he who heeds reproof shows prudence.
6 In the house of the righteous is much treasure: but in the revenues of the wicked is trouble.
In the house of the upright is much treasure, but the income of the wicked brings trouble.
7 The lips of the wise disperse knowledge: but the heart of the foolish does not so.
The lips of the wise spread knowledge; not so with the heart of fools.
8 The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination to the LORD: but the prayer of the upright is his delight.
The sacrifice made by the wicked is an abomination to Adonai, but the prayer of the upright is his delight.
9 The way of the wicked is an abomination unto the LORD: but he loves him that follows after righteousness.
The way of the wicked is an abomination to Adonai, but he 'ahav ·affectionately loves· him who follows after righteousness.
10 Correction is grievous unto him that forsakes the way: and he that hates reproof shall die.
There is stern discipline for one who forsakes the way: whoever hates reproof shall die.
11 Hell and destruction are before the LORD: how much more then the hearts of the children of men? (Sheol h7585)
Sheol ·Place of the dead· and Abaddon ·Destruction, Unrighteous side of Sheol· are before Adonai, how much more then the hearts of the children of men! (Sheol h7585)
12 A scorner loves not one that reproves him: neither will he go unto the wise.
A scoffer does not 'ahav ·affectionately love· to be reproved; he will not go to the wise.
13 A merry heart makes a cheerful countenance: but by sorrow of the heart the spirit is broken.
A glad heart makes a cheerful face; but an aching heart breaks the spirit.
14 The heart of him that has understanding seeks knowledge: but the mouth of fools feeds on foolishness.
The heart of one who has understanding seeks knowledge, but the mouths of fools feed on folly.
15 All the days of the afflicted are evil: but he that is of a merry heart has a continual feast.
All the days of the afflicted are wretched, but one who has a cheerful heart enjoys a continual feast.
16 Better is little with the fear of the LORD than great treasure and trouble therewith.
Better is little, with the fear of Adonai, than great treasure with trouble.
17 Better is a dinner of herbs where love is, than a stalled ox and hatred therewith.
Better is a dinner of herbs, where love is, than a fattened calf with hatred.
18 A wrathful man stirs up strife: but he that is slow to anger appeases strife.
A wrathful man stirs up contention, but one who is slow to anger appeases strife.
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 the sluggard is like a thorn patch, but the path of the upright is a highway.
20 A wise son makes a glad father: but a foolish man despises his mother.
A wise son makes a father glad, but a foolish man despises his mother.
21 Folly is joy to him that is destitute of wisdom: but a man of understanding walks uprightly.
Folly is joy to one who is void of wisdom, but a man of understanding keeps his way straight.
22 Without counsel purposes are disappointed: but in the multitude of counsellors they are established.
Where there is no counsel, plans fail; but in a multitude of counselors they are established.
23 A man has joy by the answer of his mouth: and a word spoken in due season, how good is it!
Joy comes to a man with the reply of his mouth. How good is a word at the right time!
The path of life leads upward for the wise, to keep him from going downward to Sheol ·Place of the dead·. (Sheol h7585)
25 The LORD will destroy the house of the proud: but he will establish the border of the widow.
Adonai will uproot the house of the proud, but he will keep the widow’s borders intact.
26 The thoughts of the wicked are an abomination to the LORD: but the words of the pure are pleasant words.
Adonai detests the thoughts of the wicked, but the thoughts of the pure are pleasing.
27 He that is greedy of gain troubles his own house; but he that hates gifts shall live.
He who is greedy for gain troubles his own house, but he who hates bribes will live.
28 The heart of the righteous studies to answer: but the mouth of the wicked pours out evil things.
The heart of the upright weighs answers, but the mouth of the wicked gushes out evil.
29 The LORD is far from the wicked: but he hears the prayer of the righteous.
Adonai is far from the wicked, but he sh'ma ·hears obeys· the prayer of the upright.
30 The light of the eyes rejoices the heart: and a good report makes the bones fat.
The light of the eyes rejoices the heart. Good news gives health to the bones.
31 The ear that hears the reproof of life abides among the wise.
The ear that sh'ma ·hears obeys· reproof lives, and will be at home among the wise.
32 He that refuses instruction despises his own soul: but he that hears reproof gets understanding.
He who refuses correction despises his own soul, but he who sh'ma ·hears obeys· reproof gets understanding.
33 The fear of the LORD is the instruction of wisdom; and before honour is humility.
The fear of Adonai teaches wisdom. Before kavod ·weighty glory· is humility.
