Proverbs 15
1 A soft answer turneth away fury; but a mortifying word stirreth up anger.
Anger slays even wise men; yet a submissive answer turns away wrath: but a grievous 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 knows what is good: but the mouth of the foolish tells out evil things.
3 In every place are the eyes of the Lord, looking on the bad and the good.
The eyes of the Lord behold both the evil and the good in every place.
4 A healing [word] of the tongue is a tree of life; but perverseness therein is a breach to the spirit.
The wholesome tongue is a tree of life, and he that keeps it shall be filled with understanding.
5 A fool contemneth the correction of his father; but he that observeth admonition will become prudent.
A fool scorns his father's instruction; but he that keeps his commandments is more prudent. In abounding righteousness is great strength: but the ungodly shall utterly perish from the earth.
6 In the house of the righteous there is much treasure; but in the income of the wicked is trouble.
In the houses of the righteous is much strength: but the fruits of the ungodly shall perish.
7 The lips of the wise scatter knowledge; but the heart of fools is not reliable.
The lips of the wise are bound by discretion: but the hearts of the foolish are not safe.
8 The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination of the Lord: but, the prayer of the upright [obtaineth] his favor.
The sacrifices of the ungodly are an abomination to the Lord; but the prayers of them that walk honestly are acceptable with him.
9 An abomination of the Lord is the way of the wicked; but him that pursueth righteousness will he love.
The ways of an ungodly [man] are an abomination to the Lord; but he loves those that follow after righteousness.
10 An evil correction is [destined] for him that forsaketh the [right] path; he that hateth admonition will die.
The instruction of the simple is known by them that pass by; but they that hate reproofs die disgracefully.
11 The nether world and corruption are open before the Lord: how much more then the hearts of the children of men! (Sheol h7585)
Hell and destruction are manifest to the Lord; how shall not also be the hearts of men? (Sheol h7585)
12 A scorner loveth not that one should admonish him: unto the wise doth he not go.
An uninstructed person will not love those that reprove him; neither will he associate with the wise.
13 A merry heart cheereth up the countenance; but when the heart feeleth pain the spirit is depressed.
When the heart rejoices the countenance is cheerful; but when it is in sorrow, [the countenance] is sad.
14 The heart of the man of understanding seeketh knowledge; but the mouth of fools feedeth on folly.
An upright heart seeks discretion; but the mouth of the uninstructed will experience evils.
15 All the days of the afflicted are evil; but he that is of a cheerful heart hath a continual feast.
The eyes of the wicked are always looking for evil things; but the good are always quiet.
16 Better is little with the fear of the Lord, than great treasure and confusion therewith.
Better is a small portion with the fear of the Lord, than great treasures without the fear [of the Lord].
17 Better is an allowance of herbs when love is there, than a stall-fed ox and hatred therewith.
Better is an entertainment of herbs with friendliness and kindness, than a feast of calves, with enmity.
18 A man of fury stirreth up strife; but he that is slow to anger assuageth contention.
A passionate man stirs up strife; but [he that is] slow to anger appeases even a rising one. A man slow to anger will extinguish quarrels; but an ungodly man rather stirs [them] up.
19 The way of the slothful man is like a hedge of thorns; but the path of the upright is a levelled [road].
The ways of sluggards are strewn with thorns; but those of the diligent are made smooth.
20 A wise son causeth his father to rejoice; but a foolish man despiseth his mother.
A wise son gladdens [his] father; but a foolish son sneers at his mother.
21 Folly is joy to him that is void of sense; but a man of understanding walketh straight forward.
The ways of a foolish man are void of sense; but a wise man proceeds on his way aright.
22 Plans are frustrated without consultation; but through a multitude of counsellors canst thou maintain thyself.
They that honor not councils put off deliberation; but counsel abides in the hearts of counselors.
23 A man hath joy by the answer of his mouth; and a word [spoken] at the proper time, how good is it!
A bad man will by no means attend to counsel; neither will he say anything seasonable, or good for the common [weal].
24 The path of life [leadeth] upward for the intelligent, in order that he may avoid the nether world beneath. (Sheol h7585)
The thoughts of the wise are ways of life, that he may turn aside and escape from hell. (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 houses of scorners; but he establishes the border of the widow.
26 An abomination of the Lord are the thoughts of the bad man; but pleasant speeches are pure [before him].
An unrighteous thought is abomination to the Lord; but the sayings of the pure are held in honor.
27 He that is greedy after gain troubleth his own house; but he that hateth gifts will live.
A receiver of bribes destroys himself; but he that hates the receiving of bribes is safe. [By alms and by faithful dealings sins are purged away; ] but by the fear of the Lord every one departs from evil.
28 The heart of the righteous reflecteth to answer; but the mouth of the wicked sputtereth out evil things.
The hearts of the righteous meditate faithfulness; but the mouth of the ungodly answers evil things. The ways of righteous men are acceptable with the Lord; and through them even enemies become friends.
29 The Lord is far from the wicked; but the prayer of the righteous doth he hear.
God is far from the ungodly; but he hearkens to the prayers of the righteous. Better are small receipts with righteousness, than abundant fruits with unrighteousness. Let the heart of a man think justly, that his steps may be rightly ordered of God. The eye that sees rightly rejoices the heart; and a good report fattens the bones.
30 [What is pleasant to] the light of the eyes rejoiceth the heart: a good report giveth marrow to the bones.
31 The ear that heareth the admonition of life will ever abide in the midst of the wise.
32 He that rejecteth correction despiseth his own soul; but he that heareth admonition acquireth intelligence.
He that rejects instruction hates himself; but he that mind reproofs loves his soul.
33 The fear of the Lord is the correction for wisdom; and before honor there must come humility.
The fear of the Lord is instruction and wisdom; and the highest honor will correspond therewith.
