Proverbs 15
1 A soft answer turneth away wrath; But harsh words stir up anger.
A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.
2 The tongue of the wise maketh knowledge pleasing; But the mouth of fools poureth forth folly.
The tongue of the wise commends knowledge, but the mouths of fools gush out folly.
3 The eyes of the LORD are in every place; They behold the evil and the good.
The LORD’s eyes are everywhere, keeping watch on the evil and the good.
4 A mild tongue is a tree of life; But perverseness therein is a wound in the spirit.
A gentle tongue is a tree of life, but deceit in it crushes the spirit.
5 The fool despiseth the correction of his father; But he that regardeth reproof is prudent.
A fool despises his father’s correction, but he who heeds reproof shows prudence.
6 In the house of the righteous is much wealth; But in the revenues of the wicked there 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 spread abroad knowledge; But the heart of the foolish is not sound.
The lips of the wise spread knowledge; not so with the heart of fools.
8 The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination to the LORD; But the prayer of the righteous is his delight.
The sacrifice made by the wicked is an abomination to the LORD, but the prayer of the upright is his delight.
9 The way of the wicked is an abomination to the LORD; But him who followeth after righteousness he loveth.
The way of the wicked is an abomination to the LORD, but he loves him who follows after righteousness.
10 Sore chastisement shall be to him that forsaketh the way; He that hateth reproof shall die.
There is stern discipline for one who forsakes the way. Whoever hates reproof shall die.
11 The underworld, yea, the region of death, is before the LORD; How much more the hearts of the sons of men! (Sheol h7585)
Sheol and Abaddon are before the LORD— how much more then the hearts of the children of men! (Sheol h7585)
12 The scoffer loveth not his reprover; He will not resort to the wise.
A scoffer doesn’t love to be reproved; he will not go to the wise.
13 A joyous heart maketh a bright countenance; But by sorrow of the heart the spirit is broken.
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 The days of the afflicted are all evil; But he that hath 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 a little, with the fear of the LORD, Than much treasure, and trouble therewith.
Better is little, with the fear of the LORD, than great treasure with trouble.
17 Better is a dinner of herbs, where there is love, Than a fatted ox, and hatred therewith.
Better is a dinner of herbs, where love is, than a fattened calf with hatred.
18 The passionate man stirreth up strife; But he who is slow to anger appeaseth strife.
A wrathful man stirs up contention, but one who is slow to anger appeases strife.
19 The way of the slothful is as a hedge of thorns; But the way of the righteous is a highway.
The way of the sluggard is like a thorn patch, but the path of the upright is a highway.
20 A wise son maketh a glad father; 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 who lacketh wisdom; But the man of understanding walketh uprightly.
Folly is joy to one who is void of wisdom, but a man of understanding keeps his way straight.
22 Without counsel, plans come to nought; But with a multitude of counsellors they are established.
Where there is no counsel, plans fail; but in a multitude of counsellors they are established.
23 A man hath joy by the answer of his mouth; And a word in due season, how good it is!
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 is upward for the wise, So that he turneth away from the underworld 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 destroyeth the house of the proud; But he will establish the border of the widow.
The LORD will uproot the house of the proud, but he will keep the widow’s borders intact.
26 Evil devices are an abomination to the LORD; But pleasant words are pure.
The LORD detests the thoughts of the wicked, but the thoughts of the pure are pleasing.
27 He who is greedy of gain troubleth his own house; But he who hateth bribes shall live.
He who is greedy for gain troubles his own house, but he who hates bribes will live.
28 The heart of the righteous meditateth on his answer; But the mouth of the wicked poureth 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 he heareth the prayer of the righteous.
The LORD is far from the wicked, but he hears the prayer of the righteous.
30 The light of the eyes rejoiceth the heart, And good tidings make the bones fat.
The light of the eyes rejoices the heart. Good news gives health to the bones.
31 The ear that hearkeneth to the reproof of life Shall dwell among the wise.
The ear that listens to reproof lives, and will be at home amongst the wise.
32 He that refuseth instruction despiseth his own life; But he that hearkeneth to rebuke getteth understanding.
He who refuses correction despises his own soul, but he who listens to reproof gets understanding.
33 The fear of the LORD guideth to wisdom, And before honor is humility.
The fear of the LORD teaches wisdom. Before honour is humility.
