Proverbs 15
1 A SOFT answer turneth away wrath: but a grievous word stirreth up anger.
A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.
2 The tongue of the wise uttereth knowledge aright: but the mouth of fools poureth out folly.
The tongue of wise people compliments knowledge, but the mouth of fools pours out folly.
3 The eyes of the LORD are in every place, keeping watch upon the evil and the good.
The eyes of Yahweh are everywhere, keeping watch over the evil and the good.
4 A wholesome tongue is a tree of life: but perverseness therein is a breaking of the spirit.
A healing tongue is a tree of life, but a deceitful tongue crushes the spirit.
5 A fool despiseth his father’s correction: but he that regardeth reproof getteth prudence.
A fool has contempt for his father's instruction, but he who learns from correction is prudent.
6 In the house of the righteous is much treasure: but in the revenues of the wicked is trouble.
In the house of the righteous person there is great treasure, but the earnings of the wicked person give him trouble.
7 The lips of the wise disperse knowledge: but the heart of the foolish [doeth] not so.
The lips of wise people scatter knowledge about, but not so the hearts of fools.
8 The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination to the LORD: but the prayer of the upright is his delight.
Yahweh hates the sacrifices of wicked people, but the prayer of upright people is his delight.
9 The way of the wicked is an abomination to the LORD: but he loveth him that followeth after righteousness.
Yahweh hates the way of wicked people, but he loves the one who pursues what is right.
10 There is grievous correction for him that forsaketh the way: [and] he that hateth reproof shall die.
Harsh discipline awaits anyone who forsakes the way and he who hates correction will die.
11 Sheol and Abaddon are before the LORD: how much more then the hearts of the children of men! (Sheol h7585)
Sheol and destruction are open before Yahweh; how much more the hearts of the sons of mankind? (Sheol h7585)
12 A scorner loveth not to be reproved: he will not go unto the wise.
The mocker resents correction; 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 joyful heart makes the face cheerful, but heartache crushes the spirit.
14 The heart of him that hath understanding seeketh knowledge: but the mouth of fools feedeth on folly.
The heart of the discerning seeks knowledge, but the mouth of fools feeds on folly.
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 oppressed people are miserable, but a cheerful heart has an unending feast.
16 Better is little with the fear of the LORD, than great treasure and trouble therewith.
Better is little with the fear of Yahweh than great treasure with confusion.
17 Better is a dinner of herbs where love is, than a stalled ox and hatred therewith.
Better is a meal with vegetables where there is love than a fatted calf served with hatred.
18 A wrathful man stirreth up contention: but he that is slow to anger appeaseth strife.
An angry man stirs up arguments, but a person who is slow to anger quiets a quarrel.
19 The way of the sluggard is as an hedge of thorns: but the path of the upright is made an highway.
The path of the sluggard is like a place with a hedge of thorns, but the path of the upright is a built-up highway.
20 A wise son maketh a glad father: but a foolish man despiseth his mother.
A wise son brings joy to his father, but a foolish person despises his mother.
21 Folly is joy to him that is void of wisdom: but a man of understanding maketh straight his going.
Folly delights a person who lacks sense, but the one who has understanding walks a straight path.
22 Where there is no counsel, purposes are disappointed: but in the multitude of counsellors they are established.
Plans go wrong where there is no advice, but with numerous advisors they succeed.
23 A man hath joy in the answer of his mouth: and a word in due season, how good is it!
A person finds joy when he gives a pertinent reply; how good is a timely word!
The path of life leads upward for prudent people, that they may turn away from Sheol beneath. (Sheol h7585)
25 The LORD will root up the house of the proud: but he will establish the border of the widow.
Yahweh tears down the house of the proud, but he protects the property of the widow.
26 Evil devices are an abomination to the LORD: but pleasant words [are] pure.
Yahweh hates the thoughts of wicked people, but the words of kindness are pure.
27 He that is greedy of gain troubleth his own house: but he that hateth gifts shall live.
The robber brings trouble to his family, but the one who hates bribes will live.
28 The heart of the righteous studieth to answer: but the mouth of the wicked poureth out evil things.
The heart of the righteous person ponders before it answers, but the mouth of wicked people pours out all its evil.
29 The LORD is far from the wicked: but he heareth the prayer of the righteous.
Yahweh is far away from wicked people, but he hears the prayer of righteous people.
30 The light of the eyes rejoiceth the heart: [and] good tidings make the bones fat.
The light of the eyes brings joy to the heart and good news is health to the body.
31 The ear that hearkeneth to the reproof of life shall abide among the wise.
If you pay attention when someone corrects how you live, you will remain among wise people.
32 He that refuseth correction despiseth his own soul: but he that hearkeneth to reproof getteth understanding.
The one who rejects discipline despises himself, but he who listens to correction gains understanding.
33 The fear of the LORD is the instruction of wisdom; and before honour [goeth] humility.
The fear of Yahweh teaches wisdom and humility comes before honor.
