Proverbs 15
1 A soft answer, turneth away wrath, but a cutting word raiseth anger.
Anger slays even wise men; yet a submissive answer turns away wrath: but a grievous 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 knows what is good: but the mouth of the foolish tells out evil things.
3 In every place, are the eyes of Yahweh, observing the evil and the good.
The eyes of the Lord behold both the evil and the good in every place.
4 Gentleness of the tongue, is a tree of life, but, crookedness therein, a grievous wound in the spirit.
The wholesome tongue is a tree of life, and he that keeps it shall be filled with understanding.
5 A foolish [son], spurneth the correction of his father, but, he that heedeth a reproof, sheweth prudence.
A fool scorns his father's instruction; but he that keeps his commandments is more prudent. In abounding righteousness is great strength: but the ungodly shall utterly perish from the earth.
6 The household of the righteous man, is a great treasure, but, in the increase of the lawless, is disturbance.
In the houses of the righteous is much strength: but the fruits of the ungodly shall perish.
7 The lips of the wise, scatter abroad knowledge, but, the heart of dullards, is not right.
The lips of the wise are bound by discretion: but the hearts of the foolish are not safe.
8 The sacrifice of lawless men, is an abomination to Yahweh, but, the prayer of the upright, is his delight.
The sacrifices of the ungodly are an abomination to the Lord; but the prayers of them that walk honestly are acceptable with him.
9 An abomination to Yahweh, is the way of the lawless, but, the pursuer of righteousness, he loveth.
The ways of an ungodly [man] are an abomination to the Lord; but he loves those that follow after righteousness.
10 There is, grievous correction, for him that forsaketh the right path, He that hateth rebuke, shall die.
The instruction of the simple is known by them that pass by; but they that hate reproofs die disgracefully.
11 Hades and destruction, are before Yahweh, how much more then, the hearts of the sons of men. (Sheol h7585)
Hell and destruction are manifest to the Lord; how shall not also be the hearts of men? (Sheol h7585)
12 A scoffer, loveth not, one who reproveth him, unto the wise, doth he not go.
An uninstructed person will not love those that reprove him; neither will he associate with the wise.
13 A joyful heart, maketh a pleasing countenance, —but, in sorrow of heart, is a stricken spirit.
When the heart rejoices the countenance is cheerful; but when it is in sorrow, [the countenance] is sad.
14 The heart of the intelligent, seeketh knowledge, but, the mouth of dullards, feedeth on folly.
An upright heart seeks discretion; but the mouth of the uninstructed will experience evils.
15 All the days of the afflicted, are sorrowful, but, a cheerful heart, is a continual banquet.
The eyes of the wicked are always looking for evil things; but the good are always quiet.
16 Better is a little, with the reverence of Yahweh, than great treasure, and disquietude therewith.
Better is a small portion with the fear of the Lord, than great treasures without the fear [of the Lord].
17 Better is an allowance of herbs, and love, there, than a fatted ox, and hatred therewith.
Better is an entertainment of herbs with friendliness and kindness, than a feast of calves, with enmity.
18 A wrathful man, stirreth up strife, but, he that is slow to anger, calmeth contention.
A passionate man stirs up strife; but [he that is] slow to anger appeases even a rising one. A man slow to anger will extinguish quarrels; but an ungodly man rather stirs [them] up.
19 The way of the sluggard, is like a thorn hedge, but, the path of the upright, is a raised road.
The ways of sluggards are strewn with thorns; but those of the diligent are made smooth.
20 A wise son, maketh a glad father, —but, a dullard, despiseth his own mother.
A wise son gladdens [his] father; but a foolish son sneers at his mother.
21 Folly, is joy to him that lacketh sense, —but, a man of understanding, taketh a straight course.
The ways of a foolish man are void of sense; but a wise man proceeds on his way aright.
22 Plans, are frustrated, for lack of consultation, but, by the multitude of counsellors, shall counsel, be established.
They that honour not councils put off deliberation; but counsel abides in the hearts of counsellors.
23 A man hath joy, in the answer of his own mouth, and, a word in its season, —how good!
A bad man will by no means attend to counsel; neither will he say anything seasonable, or good for the common [weal].
The thoughts of the wise are ways of life, that he may turn aside and escape from hell. (Sheol h7585)
25 The house of proud men, will Yahweh tear down, but he will maintain the boundary of the widow.
The Lord pulls down the houses of scorners; but he establishes the border of the widow.
26 An abomination to Yahweh, are the plottings of the wicked, but, with the pure, are sayings of sweetness.
An unrighteous thought is abomination to the Lord; but the sayings of the pure are held in honour.
27 He, troubleth his own house, who graspeth with greed, but, he that hateth gifts, shall live.
A receiver of bribes destroys himself; but he that hates the receiving of bribes is safe. [By alms and by faithful dealings ] [sins are purged away; ] but by the fear of the Lord every one departs from evil.
28 The heart of the righteous, studieth to answer, but, the mouth of the lawless, belcheth out mischiefs.
The hearts of the righteous meditate faithfulness; but the mouth of the ungodly answers evil things. The ways of righteous men are acceptable with the Lord; and through them even enemies become friends.
29 Far off is Yahweh, from the lawless, but, the prayer of the righteous, will he hear.
God is far from the ungodly; but he hearkens to the prayers of the righteous. Better are small receipts with righteousness, than abundant fruits with unrighteousness. Let the heart of a man think justly, that his steps may be rightly ordered of God. The eye that sees rightly rejoices the heart; and a good report fattens the bones.
30 The sparkling of bright eyes, rejoiceth the heart, Good news, giveth marrow to the bones.
31 The ear that heareth the reproof which giveth life, in the midst of the wise, shall remain.
32 He that declineth correction, despiseth his own soul, but, he that heareth reproof, gaineth sense.
He that rejects instruction hates himself; but he that mind reproofs loves his soul.
33 The reverence of Yahweh, is the correction of wisdom, and, before honour, is humility.
The fear of the Lord is instruction and wisdom; and the highest honour will correspond therewith.
