Proverbs 15
1 A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.
A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.
2 The tongue of the wise commends knowledge, but the mouths of fools gush out folly.
The tongue of wise people compliments knowledge, but the mouth of fools pours out folly.
3 The LORD’s eyes are everywhere, keeping watch on the evil and the good.
The eyes of Yahweh are everywhere, keeping watch over the evil and the good.
4 A gentle tongue is a tree of life, but deceit in it crushes the spirit.
A healing tongue is a tree of life, but a deceitful tongue crushes the spirit.
5 A fool despises his father’s correction, but he who heeds reproof shows prudence.
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 the income of the wicked brings 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 spread knowledge; not so with the heart of fools.
The lips of wise people scatter knowledge about, but not so the hearts of fools.
8 The sacrifice made by 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 to the LORD, but he loves him who follows after righteousness.
Yahweh hates the way of wicked people, but he loves the one who pursues what is right.
10 There is stern discipline for one who forsakes the way. Whoever hates reproof shall die.
Harsh discipline awaits anyone who forsakes the way and he who hates correction will die.
11 Sheol and Abaddon 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 scoffer doesn’t love to be reproved; he will not go to the wise.
The mocker resents correction; he will not go to the wise.
13 A glad heart makes a cheerful face, but an aching heart breaks the spirit.
A joyful heart makes the face cheerful, but heartache crushes the spirit.
14 The heart of one who has understanding seeks knowledge, but the mouths of fools feed on folly.
The heart of the discerning seeks knowledge, but the mouth of fools feeds on folly.
15 All the days of the afflicted are wretched, but one who has a cheerful heart enjoys 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 with trouble.
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 fattened calf with hatred.
Better is a meal with vegetables where there is love than a fatted calf served with hatred.
18 A wrathful man stirs up contention, but one who is slow to anger appeases strife.
An angry man stirs up arguments, but a person who is slow to anger quiets a quarrel.
19 The way of the sluggard is like a thorn patch, but the path of the upright is a highway.
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 makes a father glad, but a foolish man despises his mother.
A wise son brings joy to his father, but a foolish person despises his mother.
21 Folly is joy to one who is void of wisdom, but a man of understanding keeps his way straight.
Folly delights a person who lacks sense, but the one who has understanding walks a straight path.
22 Where there is no counsel, plans fail; but in a multitude of counsellors they are established.
Plans go wrong where there is no advice, but with numerous advisors they succeed.
23 Joy comes to a man with the reply of his mouth. How good is a word at the right time!
A person finds joy when he gives a pertinent reply; how good is a timely word!
24 The path of life leads upward for the wise, to keep him from going downward to Sheol. (Sheol h7585)
The path of life leads upward for prudent people, that they may turn away from Sheol beneath. (Sheol h7585)
25 The LORD will uproot the house of the proud, but he will keep the widow’s borders intact.
Yahweh tears down the house of the proud, but he protects the property of the widow.
26 The LORD detests the thoughts of the wicked, but the thoughts of the pure are pleasing.
Yahweh hates the thoughts of wicked people, but the words of kindness are pure.
27 He who is greedy for gain troubles his own house, but he who hates bribes will live.
The robber brings trouble to his family, but the one who hates bribes will live.
28 The heart of the righteous weighs answers, but the mouth of the wicked gushes out evil.
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 hears 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 rejoices the heart. Good news gives health to the bones.
The light of the eyes brings joy to the heart and good news is health to the body.
31 The ear that listens to reproof lives, and will be at home amongst the wise.
If you pay attention when someone corrects how you live, you will remain among wise people.
32 He who refuses correction despises his own soul, but he who listens to reproof gets understanding.
The one who rejects discipline despises himself, but he who listens to correction gains understanding.
33 The fear of the LORD teaches wisdom. Before honour is humility.
The fear of Yahweh teaches wisdom and humility comes before honor.
