Proverbs 15
1 A soft answer turneth away fury; but a mortifying word stirreth up anger.
A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.
2 The tongue of the wise maketh knowledge acceptable; but the mouth of fools sputtereth out folly.
The tongue of the wise commends knowledge, but the mouths of fools gush out folly.
3 In every place are the eyes of the Lord, looking on the bad and the good.
The LORD’s eyes are everywhere, keeping watch on the evil and the good.
4 A healing [word] of the tongue is a tree of life; but perverseness therein is a breach to the spirit.
A gentle tongue is a tree of life, but deceit in it crushes the spirit.
5 A fool contemneth the correction of his father; but he that observeth admonition will become prudent.
A fool despises his father’s correction, but he who heeds reproof shows prudence.
6 In the house of the righteous there is much treasure; but in the income of the wicked is trouble.
In the house of the righteous is much treasure, but the income of the wicked brings trouble.
7 The lips of the wise scatter knowledge; but the heart of fools is not reliable.
The lips of the wise spread knowledge; not so with the heart of fools.
8 The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination of the Lord: but, the prayer of the upright [obtaineth] his favor.
The sacrifice made by the wicked is an abomination to the LORD, but the prayer of the upright is his delight.
9 An abomination of the Lord is the way of the wicked; but him that pursueth righteousness will he love.
The way of the wicked is an abomination to the LORD, but he loves him who follows after righteousness.
10 An evil correction is [destined] for him that forsaketh the [right] path; he that hateth admonition will die.
There is stern discipline for one who forsakes the way. Whoever hates reproof shall die.
11 The nether world and corruption are open before the Lord: how much more then the hearts of the children of men! (Sheol h7585)
Sheol (Sheol h7585) and Abaddon are before the LORD— how much more then the hearts of the children of men!
12 A scorner loveth not that one should admonish him: unto the wise doth he not go.
A scoffer does not love to be reproved; he will not go to the wise.
13 A merry heart cheereth up the countenance; but when the heart feeleth pain the spirit is depressed.
A glad heart makes a cheerful face, but an aching heart breaks the spirit.
14 The heart of the man of understanding seeketh knowledge; but the mouth of fools feedeth on folly.
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 cheerful heart hath 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 confusion therewith.
Better is little, with the fear of the LORD, than great treasure with trouble.
17 Better is an allowance of herbs when love is there, than a stall-fed ox and hatred therewith.
Better is a dinner of herbs, where love is, than a fattened calf with hatred.
18 A man of fury stirreth up strife; but he that is slow to anger assuageth contention.
A wrathful man stirs up contention, but one who is slow to anger appeases strife.
19 The way of the slothful man is like a hedge of thorns; but the path of the upright is a levelled [road].
The way of the sluggard is like a thorn patch, but the path of the upright is a highway.
20 A wise son causeth his father to rejoice; but a foolish man despiseth his mother.
A wise son makes a father glad, but a foolish man despises his mother.
21 Folly is joy to him that is void of sense; but a man of understanding walketh straight forward.
Folly is joy to one who is void of wisdom, but a man of understanding keeps his way straight.
22 Plans are frustrated without consultation; but through a multitude of counsellors canst thou maintain thyself.
Where there is no counsel, plans fail; but in a multitude of counselors they are established.
23 A man hath joy by the answer of his mouth; and a word [spoken] at the proper time, how good is it!
Joy comes to a man with the reply of his mouth. How good is a word at the right time!
24 The path of life [leadeth] upward for the intelligent, in order that he may avoid the nether world beneath. (Sheol h7585)
The path of life leads upward for the wise, to keep him from going downward to Sheol (Sheol h7585).
25 The Lord, will tear down the house of the proud; but he will set up firmly the boundary [-stone] of the widow.
The LORD will uproot the house of the proud, but he will keep the widow’s borders intact.
26 An abomination of the Lord are the thoughts of the bad man; but pleasant speeches are pure [before him].
The LORD detests the thoughts of the wicked, but the thoughts of the pure are pleasing.
27 He that is greedy after gain troubleth his own house; but he that hateth gifts will live.
He who is greedy for gain troubles his own house, but he who hates bribes will live.
28 The heart of the righteous reflecteth to answer; but the mouth of the wicked sputtereth out evil things.
The heart of the righteous weighs answers, but the mouth of the wicked gushes out evil.
29 The Lord is far from the wicked; but the prayer of the righteous doth he hear.
The LORD is far from the wicked, but he hears the prayer of the righteous.
30 [What is pleasant to] the light of the eyes rejoiceth the heart: a good report giveth marrow to the bones.
The light of the eyes rejoices the heart. Good news gives health to the bones.
31 The ear that heareth the admonition of life will ever abide in the midst of the wise.
The ear that listens to reproof lives, and will be at home among the wise.
32 He that rejecteth correction despiseth his own soul; but he that heareth admonition acquireth intelligence.
He who refuses correction despises his own soul, but he who listens to reproof gets understanding.
33 The fear of the Lord is the correction for wisdom; and before honor there must come humility.
The fear of the LORD teaches wisdom. Before honor is humility.
