< Proverbs 15 >
1 A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.
A soft answer turns away wrath: but grievous words stir up anger.
2 The tongue of the wise commends knowledge, but the mouths of fools gush out folly.
The tongue of the wise uses knowledge aright: but the mouth of fools pours out foolishness.
3 The LORD’s eyes are everywhere, keeping watch on the evil and the good.
The eyes of the LORD are in every place, beholding the evil and the good.
4 A gentle tongue is a tree of life, but deceit in it crushes the spirit.
A wholesome tongue is a tree of life: but perverseness therein is a breach in the spirit.
5 A fool despises his father’s correction, but he who heeds reproof shows prudence.
A fool despises his father’s instruction: but he that regards reproof is prudent.
6 In the house of the righteous is much treasure, but the income of the wicked brings trouble.
In the house of the righteous is much treasure: but in the revenues of the wicked is trouble.
7 The lips of the wise spread knowledge; not so with the heart of fools.
The lips of the wise disperse knowledge: but the heart of the foolish does not so.
8 The sacrifice made by the wicked is an abomination to the LORD, but the prayer of the upright is his delight.
The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination to the LORD: but the prayer of the upright is his delight.
9 The way of the wicked is an abomination to the LORD, but he loves him who follows after righteousness.
The way of the wicked is an abomination to the LORD: but he loves him that follows after righteousness.
10 There is stern discipline for one who forsakes the way. Whoever hates reproof shall die.
Correction is grievous to him that forsakes the way: and he that hates reproof shall die.
11 Sheol and Abaddon 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 then the hearts of the children of men? (Sheol )
12 A scoffer doesn’t love to be reproved; he will not go to the wise.
A scorner loves not one that reproves him: neither will he go to the wise.
13 A glad heart makes a cheerful face, but an aching heart breaks the spirit.
A merry heart makes a cheerful countenance: but by sorrow of the heart the spirit is broken.
14 The heart of one who has understanding seeks knowledge, but the mouths of fools feed on folly.
The heart of him that has understanding seeks knowledge: but the mouth of fools feeds on foolishness.
15 All the days of the afflicted are wretched, but one who has a cheerful heart enjoys a continual feast.
All the days of the afflicted are evil: but he that is of a merry heart has a continual feast.
16 Better is little, with the fear of the LORD, than great treasure with trouble.
Better is little with the fear of the LORD than great treasure and trouble therewith.
17 Better is a dinner of herbs, where love is, than a fattened calf with hatred.
Better is a dinner of herbs where love is, than a stalled ox and hatred therewith.
18 A wrathful man stirs up contention, but one who is slow to anger appeases strife.
A wrathful man stirs up strife: but he that is slow to anger appeases strife.
19 The way of the sluggard is like a thorn patch, but the path of the upright is a highway.
The way of the slothful man is as an hedge of thorns: but the way of the righteous is made plain.
20 A wise son makes a father glad, but a foolish man despises his mother.
A wise son makes a glad father: but a foolish man despises his mother.
21 Folly is joy to one who is void of wisdom, but a man of understanding keeps his way straight.
Folly is joy to him that is destitute of wisdom: but a man of understanding walks uprightly.
22 Where there is no counsel, plans fail; but in a multitude of counselors they are established.
Without counsel purposes are disappointed: but in the multitude of counsellors they are established.
23 Joy comes to a man with the reply of his mouth. How good is a word at the right time!
A man has joy by the answer of his mouth: and a word spoken in due season, how good is it!
24 The path of life leads upward for the wise, to keep him from going downward to Sheol. (Sheol )
The way of life is above to the wise, that he may depart from hell beneath. (Sheol )
25 The LORD will uproot the house of the proud, but he will keep the widow’s borders intact.
The LORD will destroy the house of the proud: but he will establish the border of the widow.
26 The LORD detests the thoughts of the wicked, but the thoughts of the pure are pleasing.
The thoughts of the wicked are an abomination to the LORD: but the words of the pure are pleasant words.
27 He who is greedy for gain troubles his own house, but he who hates bribes will live.
He that is greedy of gain troubles his own house; but he that hates gifts shall live.
28 The heart of the righteous weighs answers, but the mouth of the wicked gushes out evil.
The heart of the righteous studies to answer: but the mouth of the wicked pours out evil things.
29 The LORD is far from the wicked, but he hears the prayer of the righteous.
The LORD is far from the wicked: but he hears the prayer of the righteous.
30 The light of the eyes rejoices the heart. Good news gives health to the bones.
The light of the eyes rejoices the heart: and a good report makes the bones fat.
31 The ear that listens to reproof lives, and will be at home among the wise.
The ear that hears the reproof of life stays among the wise.
32 He who refuses correction despises his own soul, but he who listens to reproof gets understanding.
He that refuses instruction despises his own soul: but he that hears reproof gets understanding.
33 The fear of the LORD teaches wisdom. Before honor is humility.
The fear of the LORD is the instruction of wisdom; and before honor is humility.