Proverbs 15
1 A soft answer turns back fury, And a grievous word raises up anger.
A mild response shatters anger. But a harsh word stirs up fury.
2 The tongue of the wise makes knowledge good, And the mouth of fools utters folly.
The tongue of the wise adorns knowledge. But the mouth of the senseless gushes with foolishness.
3 The eyes of YHWH are in every place, Watching the evil and the good.
In every place, the eyes of the Lord consider good and evil.
4 A healed tongue [is] a tree of life, And perverseness in it—a breach in the spirit.
A peaceful tongue is a tree of life. But that which is immoderate will crush the spirit.
5 A fool despises the instruction of his father, And whoever is regarding reproof is prudent.
A fool laughs at the discipline of his father. But whoever preserves rebukes will become astute. In abundant justice, there is very great virtue. But the intentions of the impious will be eradicated.
6 Abundant strength [is in] the house of the righteous, And in the increase of the wicked—trouble.
The house of the just has very great strength. And in the fruits of the impious, there is disorder.
7 The lips of the wise scatter knowledge, And the heart of fools [is] not right.
The lips of the wise shall disseminate knowledge. The heart of the foolish will be dissimilar.
8 The sacrifice of the wicked [is] an abomination to YHWH, And the prayer of the upright [is] His delight.
The sacrifices of the impious are abominable to the Lord. The vows of the just are appeasing.
9 The way of the wicked [is] an abomination to YHWH, And He loves whoever is pursuing righteousness.
The way of the impious is an abomination to the Lord. Whoever pursues justice is loved by him.
10 Discipline [is] grievous to him who is forsaking the path, Whoever is hating reproof dies.
Doctrine is evil to those who abandon the way of life. Whoever hates correction shall die.
11 Sheol and destruction [are] before YHWH, Surely also the hearts of the sons of men. (Sheol h7585)
Hell and perdition are in the sight of the Lord. How much more the hearts of the sons of men! (Sheol h7585)
12 A scorner does not love his reprover, He does not go to the wise.
He who corrupts himself does not love the one who afflicts him, nor will he step toward the wise.
13 A joyful heart makes the face glad, And the spirit is struck by grief of heart.
A rejoicing heart gladdens the face. But by the grief of the soul, the spirit is cast down.
14 The heart of the intelligent seeks knowledge, And the mouth of fools enjoys folly.
The heart of the wise seeks doctrine. And the mouth of the foolish feeds on ignorance.
15 All the days of the afflicted [are] evil, And gladness of heart [is] a perpetual banquet.
All the days of the poor are evil. A secure mind is like a continual feast.
16 Better [is] a little with the fear of YHWH, Than much treasure, and tumult with it.
Better is a little with the fear of the Lord, than great treasures and dissatisfaction.
17 Better [is] an allowance of green herbs and love there, Than a fatted ox, and hatred with it.
It is better to be called to vegetables with charity, than to a fatted calf with hatred.
18 A man of fury stirs up contention, And the slow to anger appeases strife.
A short-tempered man provokes conflicts. Whoever is patient tempers those who are stirred up.
19 The way of the slothful [is] as a hedge of briers, And the path of the upright is raised up.
The way of the slothful is like a hedge of thorns. The way of the just is without offense.
20 A wise son makes a father glad. And a foolish man is despising his mother.
A wise son gladdens the father. But the foolish man despises his mother.
21 Folly is joy to one lacking heart, And a man of intelligence directs [his] going.
Folly is gladness to the foolish. And the prudent man sets his own steps in order.
22 The making void of purposes [is] without counsel, And in a multitude of counselors it is established.
Intentions dissipate where there is no counsel. Yet truly, they are confirmed where there are many counselors.
23 Joy [is] to a man in the answer of his mouth, And a word in its season—how good!
A man rejoices in the verdict of his own mouth. And a word at the right time is best.
The path of life is for the wise above, so that he may turn away from the end of Hell. (Sheol h7585)
25 YHWH pulls down the house of the proud, And He sets up the border of the widow.
The Lord will demolish the house of the arrogant. And He will make firm the borders of the widow.
26 Thoughts of wickedness [are] an abomination to YHWH, And sayings of pleasantness [are] pure.
Evil intentions are an abomination to the Lord. And pure conversation, most beautiful, shall be confirmed by him.
27 A dishonest gainer is troubling his house, And whoever is hating gifts lives.
Whoever pursues avarice disturbs his own house. But whoever hates bribes shall live. Through mercy and faith, sins are purged. But through the fear of the Lord, each one turns aside from evil.
28 The heart of the righteous meditates to answer, And the mouth of the wicked utters evil things.
The mind of the just meditates on obedience. The mouth of the impious overflows with evils.
29 YHWH [is] far from the wicked, And He hears the prayer of the righteous.
The Lord is distant from the impious. And he will heed the prayers of the just.
30 The light of the eyes makes the heart glad, A good report makes the bone fat.
The light of the eyes rejoices the soul. A good reputation fattens the bones.
31 An ear that is hearing the reproof of life Lodges among the wise.
The ear that listens to the reproofs of life shall abide in the midst of the wise.
32 Whoever is refusing instruction is despising his soul, And whoever is hearing reproof Is getting understanding.
Whoever rejects discipline despises his own soul. But whoever agrees to correction is a possessor of the heart.
33 The fear of YHWH [is] the instruction of wisdom, And humility [is] before honor!
The fear of the Lord is the discipline of wisdom. And humility precedes glory.
