Proverbs 15
1 A soft answere brekith ire; an hard word reisith woodnesse.
A SOFT answer turneth away wrath: but a grievous word stirreth up anger.
2 The tunge of wise men ourneth kunnyng; the mouth of foolis buylith out foli.
The tongue of the wise uttereth knowledge aright: but the mouth of fools poureth out folly.
3 In ech place the iyen of the Lord biholden good men, and yuel men.
The eyes of the LORD are in every place, keeping watch upon the evil and the good.
4 A plesaunt tunge is the tre of lijf; but the tunge which is vnmesurable, schal defoule the spirit.
A wholesome tongue is a tree of life: but perverseness therein is a breaking of the spirit.
5 A fool scorneth the techyng of his fadir; but he that kepith blamyngis, schal be maad wisere. Moost vertu schal be in plenteuouse riytfulnesse; but the thouytis of wickid men schulen be drawun vp bi the roote.
A fool despiseth his father’s correction: but he that regardeth reproof getteth prudence.
6 The hous of a iust man is moost strengthe; and disturbling is in the fruitis of a wickid man.
In the house of the righteous is much treasure: but in the revenues of the wicked is trouble.
7 The lippis of wise men schulen sowe abrood kunnyng; the herte of foolis schal be vnlijc.
The lips of the wise disperse knowledge: but the heart of the foolish [doeth] not so.
8 The sacrifices of wickyd men ben abhomynable to the Lord; avowis of iust men ben plesaunt.
The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination to the LORD: but the prayer of the upright is his delight.
9 The lijf of the vnpitouse man is abhomynacioun to the Lord; he that sueth riytfulnesse, schal be loued of the Lord.
The way of the wicked is an abomination to the LORD: but he loveth him that followeth after righteousness.
10 Yuel teching is of men forsakinge the weie of lijf; he that hatith blamyngis, schal die.
There is grievous correction for him that forsaketh the way: [and] he that hateth reproof shall die.
11 Helle and perdicioun ben open bifor the Lord; hou myche more the hertis of sones of men. (Sheol h7585)
Sheol and Abaddon are before the LORD: how much more then the hearts of the children of men! (Sheol h7585)
12 A man ful of pestilence loueth not hym that repreueth him; and he goith not to wyse men.
A scorner loveth not to be reproved: he will not go unto the wise.
13 A ioiful herte makith glad the face; the spirit is cast doun in the morenyng of soule.
A merry heart maketh a cheerful countenance: but by sorrow of heart the spirit is broken.
14 The herte of a wijs man sekith techyng; and the mouth of foolis is fed with vnkunnyng.
The heart of him that hath understanding seeketh knowledge: but the mouth of fools feedeth on folly.
15 Alle the daies of a pore man ben yuele; a sikir soule is a contynuel feeste.
All the days of the afflicted are evil: but he that is of a cheerful heart [hath] a continual feast.
16 Betere is a litil with the drede of the Lord, than many tresouris and vnfillable.
Better is little with the fear of the LORD, than great treasure and trouble therewith.
17 It is betere to be clepid to wortis with charite, than with hatrede to a calf maad fat.
Better is a dinner of herbs where love is, than a stalled ox and hatred therewith.
18 A wrathful man reisith chidyngis; he that is pacient, swagith chidyngis reisid.
A wrathful man stirreth up contention: but he that is slow to anger appeaseth strife.
19 The weie of slow men is an hegge of thornes; the weie of iust men is with out hirtyng.
The way of the sluggard is as an hedge of thorns: but the path of the upright is made an highway.
20 A wise sone makith glad the fadir; and a fonned man dispisith his modir.
A wise son maketh a glad father: but a foolish man despiseth his mother.
21 Foli is ioye to a fool; and a prudent man schal dresse hise steppis.
Folly is joy to him that is void of wisdom: but a man of understanding maketh straight his going.
22 Thouytis ben distried, where no counsel is; but where many counseleris ben, tho ben confermyd.
Where there is no counsel, purposes are disappointed: but in the multitude of counsellors they are established.
23 A man is glad in the sentence of his mouth; and a couenable word is best.
A man hath joy in the answer of his mouth: and a word in due season, how good is it!
To the wise the way of life [goeth] upward, that he may depart from Sheol beneath. (Sheol h7585)
25 The Lord schal distrie the hows of proude men; and he schal make stidefast the coostis of a widewe.
The LORD will root up the house of the proud: but he will establish the border of the widow.
26 Iuele thouytis is abhomynacioun of the Lord; and a cleene word moost fair schal be maad stidfast of hym.
Evil devices are an abomination to the LORD: but pleasant words [are] pure.
27 He that sueth aueryce, disturblith his hous; but he that hatith yiftis schal lyue. Synnes ben purgid bi merci and feith; ech man bowith awei fro yuel bi the drede of the Lord.
He that is greedy of gain troubleth his own house: but he that hateth gifts shall live.
28 The soule of a iust man bithenkith obedience; the mouth of wickid men is ful of yuelis.
The heart of the righteous studieth to answer: but the mouth of the wicked poureth out evil things.
29 The Lord is fer fro wickid men; and he schal here the preyers of iust men.
The LORD is far from the wicked: but he heareth the prayer of the righteous.
30 The liyt of iyen makith glad the soule; good fame makith fat the boonys.
The light of the eyes rejoiceth the heart: [and] good tidings make the bones fat.
31 The eere that herith the blamyngis of lijf, schal dwelle in the myddis of wise men.
The ear that hearkeneth to the reproof of life shall abide among the wise.
32 He that castith awei chastisyng, dispisith his soule; but he that assentith to blamyngis, is pesible holdere of the herte.
He that refuseth correction despiseth his own soul: but he that hearkeneth to reproof getteth understanding.
33 The drede of the Lord is teching of wisdom; and mekenesse goith bifore glorie.
The fear of the LORD is the instruction of wisdom; and before honour [goeth] humility.
