Proverbs 15
1 A soft answer, turneth away wrath, but a cutting word raiseth anger.
A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.
2 The tongue of the wise, adorneth knowledge, —but, the mouth of dullards, belcheth out folly.
The tongue of the wise commends knowledge, but the mouth of the fool spouts folly.
3 In every place, are the eyes of Yahweh, observing the evil and the good.
The eyes of the LORD are in every place, observing the evil and the good.
4 Gentleness of the tongue, is a tree of life, but, crookedness therein, a grievous wound in the spirit.
A soothing tongue is a tree of life, but a perverse tongue crushes the spirit.
5 A foolish [son], spurneth the correction of his father, but, he that heedeth a reproof, sheweth prudence.
A fool rejects his father’s discipline, but whoever heeds correction is prudent.
6 The household of the righteous man, is a great treasure, but, in the increase of the lawless, is disturbance.
The house of the righteous has great treasure, but the income of the wicked is trouble.
7 The lips of the wise, scatter abroad knowledge, but, the heart of dullards, is not right.
The lips of the wise spread knowledge, but not so the hearts of fools.
8 The sacrifice of lawless men, is an abomination to Yahweh, but, the prayer of the upright, is his delight.
The sacrifice of the wicked is detestable to the LORD, but the prayer of the upright is His delight.
9 An abomination to Yahweh, is the way of the lawless, but, the pursuer of righteousness, he loveth.
The LORD detests the way of the wicked, but He loves those who pursue righteousness.
10 There is, grievous correction, for him that forsaketh the right path, He that hateth rebuke, shall die.
Discipline is harsh for him who leaves the path; he who hates correction will die.
11 Hades and destruction, are before Yahweh, how much more then, the hearts of the sons of men. (Sheol h7585)
Sheol and Abaddon lie open before the LORD— how much more the hearts of men! (Sheol h7585)
12 A scoffer, loveth not, one who reproveth him, unto the wise, doth he not go.
A mocker does not love to be reproved, nor will he consult the wise.
13 A joyful heart, maketh a pleasing countenance, —but, in sorrow of heart, is a stricken spirit.
A joyful heart makes a cheerful countenance, but sorrow of the heart crushes the spirit.
14 The heart of the intelligent, seeketh knowledge, but, the mouth of dullards, feedeth on folly.
A discerning heart seeks knowledge, but the mouth of a fool feeds on folly.
15 All the days of the afflicted, are sorrowful, but, a cheerful heart, is a continual banquet.
All the days of the oppressed are bad, but a cheerful heart has a continual feast.
16 Better is a little, with the reverence of Yahweh, than great treasure, and disquietude therewith.
Better a little with the fear of the LORD than great treasure with turmoil.
17 Better is an allowance of herbs, and love, there, than a fatted ox, and hatred therewith.
Better a dish of vegetables where there is love than a fattened ox with hatred.
18 A wrathful man, stirreth up strife, but, he that is slow to anger, calmeth contention.
A hot-tempered man stirs up strife, but he who is slow to anger calms dispute.
19 The way of the sluggard, is like a thorn hedge, but, the path of the upright, is a raised road.
The way of the slacker is like a hedge of thorns, but the path of the upright is a highway.
20 A wise son, maketh a glad father, —but, a dullard, despiseth his own mother.
A wise son brings joy to his father, but a foolish man despises his mother.
21 Folly, is joy to him that lacketh sense, —but, a man of understanding, taketh a straight course.
Folly is joy to one who lacks judgment, but a man of understanding walks a straight path.
22 Plans, are frustrated, for lack of consultation, but, by the multitude of counsellors, shall counsel, be established.
Plans fail for lack of counsel, but with many advisers they succeed.
23 A man hath joy, in the answer of his own mouth, and, a word in its season, —how good!
A man takes joy in a fitting reply— and how good is a timely word!
The path of life leads upward for the wise, that he may avoid going down to Sheol. (Sheol h7585)
25 The house of proud men, will Yahweh tear down, but he will maintain the boundary of the widow.
The LORD tears down the house of the proud, but He protects the boundaries of the widow.
26 An abomination to Yahweh, are the plottings of the wicked, but, with the pure, are sayings of sweetness.
The LORD detests the thoughts of the wicked, but the words of the pure are pleasant to Him.
27 He, troubleth his own house, who graspeth with greed, but, he that hateth gifts, shall live.
He who is greedy for unjust gain brings trouble on his household, but he who hates bribes will live.
28 The heart of the righteous, studieth to answer, but, the mouth of the lawless, belcheth out mischiefs.
The heart of the righteous ponders how to answer, but the mouth of the wicked blurts out evil.
29 Far off is Yahweh, from the lawless, but, the prayer of the righteous, will he hear.
The LORD is far from the wicked, but He hears the prayer of the righteous.
30 The sparkling of bright eyes, rejoiceth the heart, Good news, giveth marrow to the bones.
The light of the eyes cheers the heart, and good news nourishes the bones.
31 The ear that heareth the reproof which giveth life, in the midst of the wise, shall remain.
He who listens to life-giving reproof will dwell among the wise.
32 He that declineth correction, despiseth his own soul, but, he that heareth reproof, gaineth sense.
He who ignores discipline despises himself, but whoever heeds correction gains understanding.
33 The reverence of Yahweh, is the correction of wisdom, and, before honour, is humility.
The fear of the LORD is the instruction of wisdom, and humility comes before honor.
