Proverbs 15
1 A soft answer turneth away fury; but a mortifying word stirreth up anger.
A kind reply wards off anger, but hurtful words make people mad.
2 The tongue of the wise maketh knowledge acceptable; but the mouth of fools sputtereth out folly.
What wise people say makes knowledge attractive, but stupid people talk a lot of nonsense.
3 In every place are the eyes of the Lord, looking on the bad and the good.
The Lord sees everywhere, watching 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.
Gentle words are a source of life, but telling lies does a lot of damage.
5 A fool contemneth the correction of his father; but he that observeth admonition will become prudent.
Only a foolish son despises his father's instruction, but one who accepts correction is sensible.
6 In the house of the righteous there is much treasure; but in the income 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 scatter knowledge; but the heart of fools is not reliable.
Wise people share their knowledge, but stupid people don't think like that.
8 The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination of the Lord: but, the prayer of the upright [obtaineth] his favor.
The Lord hates the sacrifices of the wicked, but he loves the prayers of the good.
9 An abomination of the Lord is the way of the wicked; but him that pursueth righteousness will he love.
The Lord hates the ways of the wicked, but he loves those who do what is right.
10 An evil correction is [destined] for him that forsaketh the [right] path; he that hateth admonition will die.
If you leave the right path you will be severely disciplined; anyone who hates correction will 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)
Those already dead have no secrets from the Lord—how much more does he know our thoughts! (Sheol h7585)
12 A scorner loveth not that one should admonish him: unto the wise doth he not go.
Scoffers don't like to be corrected, so they don't go to the wise for advice.
13 A merry heart cheereth up the countenance; but when the heart feeleth pain the spirit is depressed.
If you're happy inside, you'll have a cheerful face, but if you're sad, you look crushed.
14 The heart of the man of understanding seeketh knowledge; but the mouth of fools feedeth on folly.
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 cheerful heart hath 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 confusion 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 an allowance of herbs when love is there, than a stall-fed ox and hatred therewith.
Better a dinner of vegetables where there's love than eating meat with hatred.
18 A man of fury stirreth up strife; but he that is slow to anger assuageth contention.
Short-tempered people stir up trouble, but those slow to anger calm things down.
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 lazy people is overgrown with thorns, but the path of the good is an open highway.
20 A wise son causeth his father to rejoice; but a foolish man despiseth his mother.
A wise son makes his father happy, but a stupid man despises his mother.
21 Folly is joy to him that is void of sense; but a man of understanding walketh straight forward.
Stupidity makes people with no sense happy, but sensible people do what is right.
22 Plans are frustrated without consultation; but through a multitude of counsellors canst thou maintain thyself.
Plans fall apart without good advice, but with plenty of advisors they're successful.
23 A man hath joy by the answer of his mouth; and a word [spoken] at the proper time, how good is it!
A good answer makes people happy—it's great to say the right thing at the right moment!
24 The path of life [leadeth] upward for the intelligent, in order that he may avoid the nether world beneath. (Sheol h7585)
Life's path for the wise leads upwards, so that they can avoid the grave below. (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 pulls down the house of the proud, but he protects the boundaries of the widow's property.
26 An abomination of the Lord are the thoughts of the bad man; but pleasant speeches are pure [before him].
The Lord hates the thoughts of the wicked, but he honors the words of the pure.
27 He that is greedy after gain troubleth his own house; but he that hateth gifts will 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 reflecteth to answer; but the mouth of the wicked sputtereth 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 the prayer of the righteous doth he hear.
The Lord keeps his distance from the wicked, but he hears the prayers of the good.
30 [What is pleasant to] the light of the eyes rejoiceth the heart: a good report giveth marrow to the bones.
Bright eyes make you happy, and good news makes you feel good.
31 The ear that heareth the admonition of life will ever abide in the midst of the wise.
If you pay attention to positive advice you'll be one of the wise.
32 He that rejecteth correction despiseth his own soul; but he that heareth admonition acquireth intelligence.
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 correction for wisdom; and before honor there must come humility.
Respect for the Lord teaches wisdom; humility goes before honor.
