Proverbs 15
1 A soft answer turneth away wrath: but grievous words stir up anger.
A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.
2 The tongue of the wise useth knowledge aright: but the mouth of fools poureth out foolishness.
The tongue of wise people compliments knowledge, but the mouth of fools pours out folly.
3 The eyes of the LORD [are] in every place, beholding the evil and the good.
The eyes of Yahweh are everywhere, keeping watch over the evil and the good.
4 A wholesome tongue [is] a tree of life: but perverseness therein [is] a breach in the spirit.
A healing tongue is a tree of life, but a deceitful tongue crushes the spirit.
5 A fool despiseth his father’s instruction: but he that regardeth reproof is prudent.
A fool has contempt for his father's instruction, but he who learns from correction is prudent.
6 In the house of the righteous [is] much treasure: but in the revenues of the wicked is trouble.
In the house of the righteous person there is great treasure, but the earnings of the wicked person give him trouble.
7 The lips of the wise disperse knowledge: but the heart of the foolish [doeth] not so.
The lips of wise people scatter knowledge about, but not so the hearts of fools.
8 The sacrifice of the wicked [is] an abomination to the LORD: but the prayer of the upright [is] his delight.
Yahweh hates the sacrifices of wicked people, but the prayer of upright people is his delight.
9 The way of the wicked [is] an abomination unto the LORD: but he loveth him that followeth after righteousness.
Yahweh hates the way of wicked people, but he loves the one who pursues what is right.
10 Correction [is] grievous unto him that forsaketh the way: [and] he that hateth reproof shall die.
Harsh discipline awaits anyone who forsakes the way and he who hates correction will die.
11 Hell and destruction [are] before the LORD: how much more then the hearts of the children of men? (Sheol h7585)
Sheol and destruction are open before Yahweh; how much more the hearts of the sons of mankind? (Sheol h7585)
12 A scorner loveth not one that reproveth him: neither will he go unto the wise.
The mocker resents correction; he will not go to the wise.
13 A merry heart maketh a cheerful countenance: but by sorrow of the heart the spirit is broken.
A joyful heart makes the face cheerful, but heartache crushes the spirit.
14 The heart of him that hath understanding seeketh knowledge: but the mouth of fools feedeth on foolishness.
The heart of the discerning seeks knowledge, but the mouth of fools feeds on folly.
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 oppressed people are miserable, but a cheerful heart has an unending feast.
16 Better [is] little with the fear of the LORD than great treasure and trouble therewith.
Better is little with the fear of Yahweh than great treasure with confusion.
17 Better [is] a dinner of herbs where love is, than a stalled ox and hatred therewith.
Better is a meal with vegetables where there is love than a fatted calf served with hatred.
18 A wrathful man stirreth up strife: but [he that is] slow to anger appeaseth strife.
An angry man stirs up arguments, but a person who is slow to anger quiets a quarrel.
19 The way of the slothful [man is] as an hedge of thorns: but the way of the righteous [is] made plain.
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.
20 A wise son maketh a glad father: but a foolish man despiseth his mother.
A wise son brings joy to his father, but a foolish person despises his mother.
21 Folly [is] joy to [him that is] destitute of wisdom: but a man of understanding walketh uprightly.
Folly delights a person who lacks sense, but the one who has understanding walks a straight path.
22 Without counsel purposes are disappointed: but in the multitude of counsellors they are established.
Plans go wrong where there is no advice, but with numerous advisors they succeed.
23 A man hath joy by the answer of his mouth: and a word [spoken] in due season, how good [is it]!
A person finds joy when he gives a pertinent reply; how good is a timely word!
The path of life leads upward for prudent people, that they may turn away from Sheol beneath. (Sheol h7585)
25 The LORD will destroy the house of the proud: but he will establish the border of the widow.
Yahweh tears down the house of the proud, but he protects the property of the widow.
26 The thoughts of the wicked [are] an abomination to the LORD: but [the words] of the pure [are] pleasant words.
Yahweh hates the thoughts of wicked people, but the words of kindness are pure.
27 He that is greedy of gain troubleth his own house; but he that hateth gifts shall live.
The robber brings trouble to his family, but the one who hates bribes will live.
28 The heart of the righteous studieth to answer: but the mouth of the wicked poureth out evil things.
The heart of the righteous person ponders before it answers, but the mouth of wicked people pours out all its evil.
29 The LORD [is] far from the wicked: but he heareth the prayer of the righteous.
Yahweh is far away from wicked people, but he hears the prayer of righteous people.
30 The light of the eyes rejoiceth the heart: [and] a good report maketh the bones fat.
The light of the eyes brings joy to the heart and good news is health to the body.
31 The ear that heareth the reproof of life abideth among the wise.
If you pay attention when someone corrects how you live, you will remain among wise people.
32 He that refuseth instruction despiseth his own soul: but he that heareth reproof getteth understanding.
The one who rejects discipline despises himself, but he who listens to correction gains understanding.
33 The fear of the LORD [is] the instruction of wisdom; and before honour [is] humility.
The fear of Yahweh teaches wisdom and humility comes before honor.
