< Proverbs 15 >
1 A soft answer turneth away wrath: but grievous words stir up anger.
A mild answer breaketh wrath: but a harsh word stirreth up fury.
2 The tongue of the wise useth knowledge aright: but the mouth of fools poureth out foolishness.
The tongue of the wise adorneth knowledge: but the mouth of fools bubbleth out folly.
3 The eyes of the LORD are in every place, beholding the evil and the good.
The eyes of the Lord in every place behold the good and the evil.
4 A wholesome tongue is a tree of life: but perverseness in it is a breach in the spirit.
A peaceable tongue is a tree of life: but that which is immoderate, shall crush the spirit.
5 A fool despiseth his father’s instruction: but he that regardeth reproof is prudent.
A fool laugheth at the instruction of his father: but he that regardeth reproofs shall become prudent. In abundant justice there is the greatest strength: but the devices of the wicked shall be rooted out.
6 In the house of the righteous is much treasure: but in the revenues of the wicked is trouble.
The house of the just is very much strength: and in the fruits of the wicked is trouble.
7 The lips of the wise disperse knowledge: but the heart of the foolish doeth not so.
The lips of the wise shall disperse knowledge: the heart of fools shall be unlike.
8 The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination to the LORD: but the prayer of the upright is his delight.
The victims of the wicked are abominable to the Lord: the vows of the just are acceptable.
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: he that followeth justice is beloved by him.
10 Correction is grievous to him that forsaketh the way: and he that hateth reproof shall die.
Instruction is grievous to him that forsaketh the way of life: he that hateth reproof shall die.
11 Hell and destruction are before the LORD: how much more then the hearts of the children of men? (Sheol )
Hell and destruction are before the Lord: how much more the hearts of the children of men? (Sheol )
12 A scorner loveth not one that reproveth him: neither will he go to the wise.
A corrupt man loveth not one that reproveth him: nor will he go to the wise.
13 A merry heart maketh a cheerful countenance: but by sorrow of the heart the spirit is broken.
A glad heart maketh a cheerful countenance: but by grief of mind the spirit is cast down.
14 The heart of him that hath understanding seeketh knowledge: but the mouth of fools feedeth on foolishness.
The heart of the wise seeketh instruction: and the mouth of fools feedeth on foolishness.
15 All the days of the afflicted are evil: but he that is of a merry heart hath a continual feast.
All the days of the poor are evil: a secure mind is like a continual feast.
16 Better is little with the fear of the LORD than great treasure and trouble with it.
Better is a little with the fear of the Lord, than great treasures without content,
17 Better is a dinner of herbs where love is, than a stalled ox and hatred with it.
It is better to be invited to herbs with love, than to a fatted calf with hatred.
18 A wrathful man stirreth up strife: but he that is slow to anger appeaseth strife.
A passionate man stirreth up strifes: he that is patient appeaseth those that are stirred up.
19 The way of the slothful man is as an hedge of thorns: but the way of the righteous is made plain.
The way of the slothful is as a hedge of thorns; the way of the just is without offence.
20 A wise son maketh a glad father: but a foolish man despiseth his mother.
A wise son maketh a father joyful: but the foolish man despiseth his mother.
21 Folly is joy to him that is destitute of wisdom: but a man of understanding walketh uprightly.
Folly is joy to the fool: and the wise man maketh straight his steps.
22 Without counsel purposes are disappointed: but in the multitude of counsellors they are established.
Designs are brought to nothing where there is no counsel: but where there are many counsellors, they are established.
23 A man hath joy by the answer of his mouth: and a word spoken in due season, how good it is!
A man rejoiceth in the sentence of his mouth: and a word in due time is best.
24 The way of life is above to the wise, that he may depart from hell beneath. (Sheol )
The path of life is above for the wise, that he may decline from the lowest hell. (Sheol )
25 The LORD will destroy the house of the proud: but he will establish the border of the widow.
The Lord will destroy the house of the proud: and will strengthen the borders of the widow.
26 The thoughts of the wicked are an abomination to the LORD: but the words of the pure are pleasant words.
Evil thoughts are an abomination to the Lord: and pure words most beautiful shall be confirmed by him.
27 He that is greedy of gain troubleth his own house; but he that hateth bribes shall live.
He that is greedy of gain troubleth his own house: but he that hateth bribes shall live. By mercy and faith sins are purged away: and by the fear of the Lord every one declineth from evil.
28 The heart of the righteous studieth to answer: but the mouth of the wicked poureth out evil things.
The mind of the just studieth obedience: the mouth of the wicked over floweth with evils.
29 The LORD is far from the wicked: but he heareth the prayer of the righteous.
The Lord is far from the wicked: and he will hear the prayers of the just.
30 The light of the eyes rejoiceth the heart: and a good report maketh the bones fat.
The light of the eyes rejoiceth the soul: a good name maketh the bones fat.
31 The ear that heareth the reproof of life abideth among the wise.
The ear that heareth the reproofs of life, shall abide in the midst of the wise.
32 He that refuseth instruction despiseth his own soul: but he that heareth reproof getteth understanding.
He that rejecteth instruction, despiseth his own soul: but he that yieldeth to reproof possesseth understanding.
33 The fear of the LORD is the instruction of wisdom; and before honour is humility.
The fear of the Lord is the lesson of wisdom: and humility goeth before glory.