Proverbs 15
1 A soft answer, turneth away wrath, but a cutting word raiseth 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, adorneth knowledge, —but, the mouth of dullards, belcheth 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 In every place, are the eyes of Yahweh, observing the evil and the good.
The eyes of the Lord are in every place, keeping watch on 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 comforting tongue is a tree of life, but a twisted tongue is a crushing of the spirit.
5 A foolish [son], spurneth the correction of his father, but, he that heedeth a reproof, sheweth prudence.
A foolish man puts no value on his father's training; but he who has respect for teaching has good sense.
6 The household of the righteous man, is a great treasure, but, in the increase of the lawless, is disturbance.
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, scatter abroad knowledge, but, the heart of dullards, is not right.
The lips of the wise keep knowledge, but the heart of the foolish man is not right.
8 The sacrifice of lawless men, is an abomination to Yahweh, 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 An abomination to Yahweh, is the way of the lawless, but, the pursuer of righteousness, he loveth.
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 right path, He that hateth rebuke, 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 Hades and destruction, are before Yahweh, how much more then, the hearts of the sons 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 scoffer, loveth not, one who reproveth him, unto the wise, doth he not go.
The hater of authority has no love for teaching: he will not go to the wise.
13 A joyful heart, maketh a pleasing countenance, —but, in sorrow of heart, is a stricken spirit.
A glad heart makes a shining face, but by the sorrow of the heart the spirit is broken.
14 The heart of the intelligent, seeketh knowledge, but, the mouth of dullards, 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 sorrowful, but, a cheerful heart, is a continual banquet.
All the days of the troubled are evil; but he whose heart is glad has an unending feast.
16 Better is a little, with the reverence of Yahweh, than great treasure, and disquietude therewith.
Better is a little with the fear of the Lord, than great wealth together with trouble.
17 Better is an allowance of herbs, and love, there, than a fatted 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 strife, but, he that is slow to anger, calmeth contention.
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 like a thorn hedge, but, the path of the upright, is a raised road.
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 dullard, despiseth his own 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 lacketh sense, —but, a man of understanding, taketh a straight course.
Foolish behaviour is joy to the unwise; but a man of good sense makes his way straight.
22 Plans, are frustrated, for lack of consultation, but, by the multitude of counsellors, shall counsel, be 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 own mouth, and, a word in its season, —how good!
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 house of proud men, will Yahweh tear down, but he will maintain the boundary 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 An abomination to Yahweh, are the plottings of the wicked, but, with the pure, are sayings of sweetness.
Evil designs are disgusting to the Lord, but the words of the clean-hearted are pleasing.
27 He, troubleth his own house, who graspeth with greed, 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 lawless, belcheth out mischiefs.
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 Far off is Yahweh, from the lawless, but, the prayer of the righteous, will he hear.
The Lord is far from sinners, but his ear is open to the prayer of the upright.
30 The sparkling of bright eyes, rejoiceth the heart, Good news, giveth marrow to the bones.
The light of the eyes is a joy to the heart, and good news makes the bones fat.
31 The ear that heareth the reproof which giveth life, in the midst of the wise, shall remain.
The man whose ear is open to the teaching of life will have his place among the wise.
32 He that declineth correction, despiseth his own soul, but, he that heareth reproof, gaineth sense.
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 reverence of Yahweh, is the correction of wisdom, and, before honour, is humility.
The fear of the Lord is the teaching of wisdom; and a low opinion of oneself goes before honour.
