Proverbs 15
1 A SOFT answer turneth away wrath: but a grievous word stirreth up anger.
By a soft answer wrath is turned away, but a bitter word is a cause of angry feelings.
2 The tongue of the wise uttereth knowledge aright: but the mouth of fools poureth out folly.
Knowledge is dropping from the tongue of the wise; but from the mouth of the foolish comes a stream of foolish words.
3 The eyes of the LORD are in every place, keeping watch upon the evil and the good.
The eyes of the Lord are in every place, keeping watch on the evil and the good.
4 A wholesome tongue is a tree of life: but perverseness therein is a breaking of the spirit.
A comforting tongue is a tree of life, but a twisted tongue is a crushing of the spirit.
5 A fool despiseth his father’s correction: but he that regardeth reproof getteth prudence.
A foolish man puts no value on his father's training; but he who has respect for teaching has good sense.
6 In the house of the righteous is much treasure: but in the revenues of the wicked is trouble.
In the house of the upright man there is a great store of wealth; but in the profits of the sinner there is trouble.
7 The lips of the wise disperse knowledge: but the heart of the foolish [doeth] not so.
The lips of the wise keep knowledge, but the heart of the foolish man is not right.
8 The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination to the LORD: but the prayer of the upright is his delight.
The offering of the evil-doer is disgusting to the Lord, but the prayer of the upright man is his delight.
9 The way of the wicked is an abomination to the LORD: but he loveth him that followeth after righteousness.
The way of the evil-doer is disgusting to the Lord, but he who goes after righteousness is dear to him.
10 There is grievous correction for him that forsaketh the way: [and] he that hateth reproof shall die.
There is bitter punishment for him who is turned from the way; and death will be the fate of the hater of teaching.
11 Sheol and Abaddon are before the LORD: how much more then the hearts of the children of men! (Sheol h7585)
Before the Lord are the underworld and destruction: how much more, then, the hearts of the children of men! (Sheol h7585)
12 A scorner loveth not to be reproved: he will not go unto the wise.
The hater of authority has no love for teaching: he will not go to the wise.
13 A merry heart maketh a cheerful countenance: but by sorrow of heart the spirit is broken.
A glad heart makes a shining face, but by the sorrow of the heart the spirit is broken.
14 The heart of him that hath understanding seeketh knowledge: but the mouth of fools feedeth on folly.
The heart of the man of good sense goes in search of knowledge, but foolish things are the food of the unwise.
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 troubled are evil; but he whose heart is glad has an unending feast.
16 Better is little with the fear of the LORD, than great treasure and trouble therewith.
Better is a little with the fear of the Lord, than great wealth together with trouble.
17 Better is a dinner of herbs where love is, than a stalled ox and hatred therewith.
Better is a simple meal where love is, than a fat ox and hate with it.
18 A wrathful man stirreth up contention: but he that is slow to anger appeaseth strife.
An angry man makes men come to blows, but he who is slow to get angry puts an end to fighting.
19 The way of the sluggard is as an hedge of thorns: but the path of the upright is made an highway.
Thorns are round the way of the hater of work; but the road of the hard worker becomes a highway.
20 A wise son maketh a glad father: but a foolish man despiseth his mother.
A wise son makes a glad father, but a foolish man has no respect for his mother.
21 Folly is joy to him that is void of wisdom: but a man of understanding maketh straight his going.
Foolish behaviour is joy to the unwise; but a man of good sense makes his way straight.
22 Where there is no counsel, purposes are disappointed: but in the multitude of counsellors they are established.
Where there are no wise suggestions, purposes come to nothing; but by a number of wise guides they are made certain.
23 A man hath joy in the answer of his mouth: and a word in due season, how good is it!
A man has joy in the answer of his mouth: and a word at the right time, how good it is!
Acting wisely is the way of life, guiding a man away from the underworld. (Sheol h7585)
25 The LORD will root up the house of the proud: but he will establish the border of the widow.
The house of the man of pride will be uprooted by the Lord, but he will make safe the heritage of the widow.
26 Evil devices are an abomination to the LORD: but pleasant words [are] pure.
Evil designs are disgusting to the Lord, but the words of the clean-hearted are pleasing.
27 He that is greedy of gain troubleth his own house: but he that hateth gifts shall live.
He whose desires are fixed on profit is a cause of trouble to his family; but he who has no desire for offerings will have life.
28 The heart of the righteous studieth to answer: but the mouth of the wicked poureth out evil things.
The heart of the upright gives thought to his answer; but from the mouth of the evil-doer comes a stream of evil things.
29 The LORD is far from the wicked: but he heareth the prayer of the righteous.
The Lord is far from sinners, but his ear is open to the prayer of the upright.
30 The light of the eyes rejoiceth the heart: [and] good tidings make the bones fat.
The light of the eyes is a joy to the heart, and good news makes the bones fat.
31 The ear that hearkeneth to the reproof of life shall abide among the wise.
The man whose ear is open to the teaching of life will have his place among the wise.
32 He that refuseth correction despiseth his own soul: but he that hearkeneth to reproof getteth understanding.
He who will not be controlled by training has no respect for his soul, but he who gives ear to teaching will get wisdom.
33 The fear of the LORD is the instruction of wisdom; and before honour [goeth] humility.
The fear of the Lord is the teaching of wisdom; and a low opinion of oneself goes before honour.
