Proverbs 15
1 A soft answer turneth away wrath: but grievous words stir up anger.
When people are angry with you, reply to them gently, and it will calm them; but if you reply harshly to them, it causes them to become more angry.
2 The tongue of the wise useth knowledge aright: but the mouth of fools poureth out foolishness.
When wise [people] speak [MTY], it causes those who hear what they say to want to know more; foolish people continually say [MTY] what is foolish.
3 The eyes of the LORD [are] in every place, beholding the evil and the good.
Yahweh sees [MTY] [what is happening] everywhere; he observes what bad [people do] as well as what good [people do].
4 A wholesome tongue [is] a tree of life: but perverseness therein [is] a breach in the spirit.
Those who speak [MTY] kindly to people are [like] [MET] trees [whose fruit gives] life; speaking what is false causes people to (despair/feel very discouraged).
5 A fool despiseth his father’s instruction: but he that regardeth reproof is prudent.
Foolish children despise their parents when their parents correct/discipline them; wise children accept it.
6 In the house of the righteous [is] much treasure: but in the revenues of the wicked is trouble.
There are many valuable things in the houses of righteous [people]; the wealth of wicked [people] causes them to have troubles/difficulties.
7 The lips of the wise disperse knowledge: but the heart of the foolish [doeth] not so.
What wise [people] teach [MTY] causes others to know much more, [but] foolish people cannot teach others what is useful.
8 The sacrifice of the wicked [is] an abomination to the LORD: but the prayer of the upright [is] his delight.
Yahweh detests the sacrifices that are offered by wicked [people]; what delights/pleases him very much are the prayers of righteous/good [people].
9 The way of the wicked [is] an abomination unto the LORD: but he loveth him that followeth after righteousness.
Yahweh hates/detests the behavior of wicked [people], but he loves those who always do what is righteous/just/fair.
10 Correction [is] grievous unto him that forsaketh the way: [and] he that hateth reproof shall die.
Those who do what is wrong will be severely punished; those who do not want to be corrected will die.
11 Hell and destruction [are] before the LORD: how much more then the hearts of the children of men? (Sheol h7585)
Yahweh knows [what is happening in] the place where dead people [DOU] are, so he certainly knows [RHQ] what people are thinking. (Sheol h7585)
12 A scorner loveth not one that reproveth him: neither will he go unto the wise.
Some people do not want to be corrected; they never go to wise [people to seek good advice from them].
13 A merry heart maketh a cheerful countenance: but by sorrow of the heart the spirit is broken.
When people are happy, they have smiles on their faces; but when they are sad, [by looking at their faces we can see that] they are sad.
14 The heart of him that hath understanding seeketh knowledge: but the mouth of fools feedeth on foolishness.
Those who have good sense want to learn more; foolish people [MTY] are very satisfied with being foolish/ignorant.
15 All the days of the afflicted [are] evil: but he that is of a merry heart [hath] a continual feast.
Those who are oppressed constantly have difficulties, but those who (OR, if they) are happy, [it is as though] [MET] they are having a big feast every day.
16 Better [is] little with the fear of the LORD than great treasure and trouble therewith.
Being poor and revering Yahweh is better than being rich and having a lot of troubles.
17 Better [is] a dinner of herbs where love is, than a stalled ox and hatred therewith.
Eating meals with [people whom you] love and having only vegetables to eat is better than eating with [people who] hate [each other and] having lots of good meat [to eat].
18 A wrathful man stirreth up strife: but [he that is] slow to anger appeaseth strife.
Those who quickly become angry cause arguments/quarreling, but those who do not quickly become angry cause people to act peacefully.
19 The way of the slothful [man is] as an hedge of thorns: but the way of the righteous [is] made plain.
Lazy people constantly [have difficulties] [MET]; [it is as though they are] walking through thorns; but those who are honest and hard-working [will have few difficulties; it is as though they are walking] on a level highway [MET].
20 A wise son maketh a glad father: but a foolish man despiseth his mother.
Children who are wise cause their parents to be happy; it is foolish children who despise their parents.
21 Folly [is] joy to [him that is] destitute of wisdom: but a man of understanding walketh uprightly.
Foolish people are happy to [continually] act foolishly; those who have good sense do what is right.
22 Without counsel purposes are disappointed: but in the multitude of counsellors they are established.
If there is no one to give us good advice, we will not accomplish what we are planning to do; but when we have many [good] advisors, we will succeed.
23 A man hath joy by the answer of his mouth: and a word [spoken] in due season, how good [is it]!
People rejoice when they are able to reply well to what others have asked them; [truly], it is very delightful to be able to say the right thing at the right time.
Wise people walk on a road that leads up to a long life; they do not walk on a road that leads down to the place where dead people are. (Sheol h7585)
25 The LORD will destroy the house of the proud: but he will establish the border of the widow.
Yahweh tears down the houses of proud [people], but he protects the property of widows.
26 The thoughts of the wicked [are] an abomination to the LORD: but [the words] of the pure [are] pleasant words.
Yahweh detests what wicked [people] are thinking [about doing]; [but] when people say what is kind, he considers those words to be pure.
27 He that is greedy of gain troubleth his own house; but he that hateth gifts shall live.
Those who try hard to get money by acting dishonestly cause trouble for their family; those who refuse to accept bribes will live [for a long time].
28 The heart of the righteous studieth to answer: but the mouth of the wicked poureth out evil things.
Righteous/Good [people] think carefully before they answer [what others ask them]; wicked [people] very quickly say what is evil.
29 The LORD [is] far from the wicked: but he heareth the prayer of the righteous.
Yahweh does not listen [MTY] to what wicked [people request him to do]; he listens to righteous [people] when they pray.
30 The light of the eyes rejoiceth the heart: [and] a good report maketh the bones fat.
If people have a smile on their faces, it makes them/others happy, and [when people hear] good news, it refreshes their spirits [MTY].
31 The ear that heareth the reproof of life abideth among the wise.
If people pay attention when [people] correct/warn them, they will become wise.
32 He that refuseth instruction despiseth his own soul: but he that heareth reproof getteth understanding.
If people refuse to listen [when others try] to correct them, they are despising/hurting themselves; those who (pay attention/heed) when [others] warn them (become wiser/acquire good sense).
33 The fear of the LORD [is] the instruction of wisdom; and before honour [is] humility.
If you revere Yahweh, you will learn how to become wise, but [only] after you become humble will [people] honor you.
