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 the wise commends knowledge, but the mouths of fools gush out folly.
3 The eyes of the LORD are in every place, keeping watch upon the evil and the good.
The LORD’s eyes are everywhere, 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 gentle tongue is a tree of life, but deceit in it crushes the spirit.
5 A fool despiseth his father’s correction: but he that regardeth reproof getteth prudence.
A fool despises his father’s correction, but he who heeds reproof shows prudence.
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 is much treasure, but the income of the wicked brings trouble.
7 The lips of the wise disperse knowledge: but the heart of the foolish [doeth] not so.
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 upright 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 he loveth him that followeth after righteousness.
The way of the wicked is an abomination to the LORD, but he loves him who follows after righteousness.
10 There is grievous correction for him that forsaketh the way: [and] he that hateth reproof shall die.
There is stern discipline for one who forsakes the way. Whoever hates reproof shall die.
11 Sheol and Abaddon are before the LORD: how much more then the hearts of the children 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 A scorner loveth not to be reproved: he will not go unto the wise.
A scoffer doesn’t love to be reproved; 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 cheerful face, but an aching heart breaks the spirit.
14 The heart of him that hath 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 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 afflicted are wretched, but one who has a cheerful heart enjoys a continual feast.
16 Better is little with the fear of the LORD, than great 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 love is, than a stalled ox and hatred therewith.
Better is a dinner of herbs, where love is, than a fattened calf with hatred.
18 A wrathful man stirreth up contention: but he that 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 sluggard is as an hedge of thorns: but the path of the upright is made an 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 that is void of wisdom: but a man of understanding maketh straight his going.
Folly is joy to one who is void of wisdom, but a man of understanding keeps his way straight.
22 Where there is no counsel, purposes are disappointed: but in the 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 in the answer of his mouth: and a word in due season, how good is it!
Joy comes to a man with the reply of his mouth. How good is a word at the right time!
The path of life leads upward for the wise, to keep him from going downward to Sheol. (Sheol h7585)
25 The LORD will root up 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 that is greedy of gain troubleth his own house: but he that hateth gifts 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 studieth to 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 abide among the wise.
The ear that listens to reproof lives, and will be at home amongst the wise.
32 He that refuseth correction despiseth his own soul: but he that hearkeneth to reproof getteth understanding.
He who refuses correction despises his own soul, but he who listens to reproof gets understanding.
33 The fear of the LORD is the instruction of wisdom; and before honour [goeth] humility.
The fear of the LORD teaches wisdom. Before honour is humility.
