Proverbs 15
1 A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.
By a soft answer wrath is turned away, but a bitter word is a cause of angry feelings.
2 The tongue of wise people compliments knowledge, but the mouth of fools pours 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 The eyes of Yahweh are everywhere, keeping watch over the evil and the good.
The eyes of the Lord are in every place, keeping watch on the evil and the good.
4 A healing tongue is a tree of life, but a deceitful tongue crushes the spirit.
A comforting tongue is a tree of life, but a twisted tongue is a crushing of the spirit.
5 A fool has contempt for his father's instruction, but he who learns from correction is prudent.
A foolish man puts no value on his father's training; but he who has respect for teaching has good sense.
6 In the house of the righteous person there is great treasure, but the earnings of the wicked person give him trouble.
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 wise people scatter knowledge about, but not so the hearts of fools.
The lips of the wise keep knowledge, but the heart of the foolish man is not right.
8 Yahweh hates the sacrifices of wicked people, but the prayer of upright people 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 Yahweh hates the way of wicked people, but he loves the one who pursues what is right.
The way of the evil-doer is disgusting to the Lord, but he who goes after righteousness is dear to him.
10 Harsh discipline awaits anyone who forsakes the way and he who hates correction will 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 Sheol and destruction are open before Yahweh; how much more the hearts of the sons of mankind? (Sheol h7585)
Before the Lord are the underworld and destruction: how much more, then, the hearts of the children of men! (Sheol h7585)
12 The mocker resents correction; he will not go to the wise.
The hater of authority has no love for teaching: he will not go to the wise.
13 A joyful heart makes the face cheerful, but heartache crushes the spirit.
A glad heart makes a shining face, but by the sorrow of the heart the spirit is broken.
14 The heart of the discerning seeks knowledge, but the mouth of fools feeds 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 oppressed people are miserable, but a cheerful heart has an unending feast.
All the days of the troubled are evil; but he whose heart is glad has an unending feast.
16 Better is little with the fear of Yahweh than great treasure with confusion.
Better is a little with the fear of the Lord, than great wealth together with trouble.
17 Better is a meal with vegetables where there is love than a fatted calf served with hatred.
Better is a simple meal where love is, than a fat ox and hate with it.
18 An angry man stirs up arguments, but a person who is slow to anger quiets a quarrel.
An angry man makes men come to blows, but he who is slow to get angry puts an end to fighting.
19 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.
Thorns are round the way of the hater of work; but the road of the hard worker becomes a highway.
20 A wise son brings joy to his father, but a foolish person despises his mother.
A wise son makes a glad father, but a foolish man has no respect for his mother.
21 Folly delights a person who lacks sense, but the one who has understanding walks a straight path.
Foolish behaviour is joy to the unwise; but a man of good sense makes his way straight.
22 Plans go wrong where there is no advice, but with numerous advisors they succeed.
Where there are no wise suggestions, purposes come to nothing; but by a number of wise guides they are made certain.
23 A person finds joy when he gives a pertinent reply; how good is a timely word!
A man has joy in the answer of his mouth: and a word at the right time, how good it is!
24 The path of life leads upward for prudent people, that they may turn away from Sheol beneath. (Sheol h7585)
Acting wisely is the way of life, guiding a man away from the underworld. (Sheol h7585)
25 Yahweh tears down the house of the proud, but he protects the property 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 Yahweh hates the thoughts of wicked people, but the words of kindness are pure.
Evil designs are disgusting to the Lord, but the words of the clean-hearted are pleasing.
27 The robber brings trouble to his family, but the one who hates bribes will 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 person ponders before it answers, but the mouth of wicked people pours out all its evil.
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 Yahweh is far away from wicked people, but he hears the prayer of righteous people.
The Lord is far from sinners, but his ear is open to the prayer of the upright.
30 The light of the eyes brings joy to the heart and good news is health to the body.
The light of the eyes is a joy to the heart, and good news makes the bones fat.
31 If you pay attention when someone corrects how you live, you will remain among wise people.
The man whose ear is open to the teaching of life will have his place among the wise.
32 The one who rejects discipline despises himself, but he who listens to correction gains understanding.
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 fear of Yahweh teaches wisdom and humility comes before honor.
The fear of the Lord is the teaching of wisdom; and a low opinion of oneself goes before honour.
